December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
#1
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December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
I really hate it when it's a tie. That means I cast the deciding vote. People are going to be unhappy either way . And in this case it was really hard for me to decide which is why this thread didn't go up yesterday.
I literally changed my mind, and then back again while writing this. In the end though, I just cannot deny the amount of work put in by Topspeed with his own hands, to create something unique, but not too outlandish, that all comes together beautifully. And from such humble beginnings.
And when I say that, I do not mean, in even the slightest way, to discount the work and efforts of 88IROCvertZ, who has a stunningly beautiful IROC convertible. I think that's the color I'd want too. His photos and presentation are outstanding. I'd be proud to own that car.
So...congratulations Topspeed. Your 1984 Firebird SE creation is December 2017's TGO Car of the Month. You've definitely earned it. I'm proud to see the community represented by such a beautifully done, unique Third Gen.
Body:
Taken down to a bare car - no electronics, no fuel or brake lines. Had it media blasted to get the old paint off and have a clean slate to work from. The only rust spot on the car was under the drivers seat which a new floor panel was welded in. The radiator support was also shot so I had to weld a new one in as well as put a new crossmember in. From my thread you can see that the car barely had a life. It had 334 original miles on it when I bought it and I know that to be true because the car was only registered for three months before it was stolen, trashed, and thrown in a junkyard where I bought her from.
Engine and Drivetrain:
Got rid of the original V6 the car came with and bought a 350 TPI motor for her. Here is a list of what I have in the motor:
Edelbrock aluminum heads
SLP original load mouth exhaust from headers all the way back to the tailpipe
Performance chip
24# injectors
competition cam
magnum roller rockers
52mm throttle body
ported and polished plenum
Aluminum drive shaft
K&N shift kit in 700r4
SLP cold air intake
TPIS runners
BW posi rear with 3.73 gears
Suspension:
Hotchkiss rear suspension
bilstein shocks
lowered 1 1/2"
PBR full brake setup
Subframe connectors
wonder bar
All new urethane bushings throughout
18" BOSS Motorsport 338 rims
Custom Features:
Suicide hood hinges - not store bought or off another type of car - they were made by me
Hood vents - off a 1976 Firebird and welded to a stock hood
Rear spoiler - this was aftermarket but I think it fits the car
Fully Dynamatted interior
Battery relocated to the rear spare tire spot
Taken down to a bare car - no electronics, no fuel or brake lines. Had it media blasted to get the old paint off and have a clean slate to work from. The only rust spot on the car was under the drivers seat which a new floor panel was welded in. The radiator support was also shot so I had to weld a new one in as well as put a new crossmember in. From my thread you can see that the car barely had a life. It had 334 original miles on it when I bought it and I know that to be true because the car was only registered for three months before it was stolen, trashed, and thrown in a junkyard where I bought her from.
Engine and Drivetrain:
Got rid of the original V6 the car came with and bought a 350 TPI motor for her. Here is a list of what I have in the motor:
Edelbrock aluminum heads
SLP original load mouth exhaust from headers all the way back to the tailpipe
Performance chip
24# injectors
competition cam
magnum roller rockers
52mm throttle body
ported and polished plenum
Aluminum drive shaft
K&N shift kit in 700r4
SLP cold air intake
TPIS runners
BW posi rear with 3.73 gears
Suspension:
Hotchkiss rear suspension
bilstein shocks
lowered 1 1/2"
PBR full brake setup
Subframe connectors
wonder bar
All new urethane bushings throughout
18" BOSS Motorsport 338 rims
Custom Features:
Suicide hood hinges - not store bought or off another type of car - they were made by me
Hood vents - off a 1976 Firebird and welded to a stock hood
Rear spoiler - this was aftermarket but I think it fits the car
Fully Dynamatted interior
Battery relocated to the rear spare tire spot
#2
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Car: 92 Firebird Formula
Engine: 5.0 tbi
Transmission: 700r4/shift-kit
Axle/Gears: 4.11/posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Congrats Topspeed beautiful car well done.
#3
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Thanks Linson! What an honor. Thank you for the great write-up also. It was a labor of love. I've been nominated three times before for car of the month but I always ended up being a bridesmaid never the bride. And as of tonight that has changed. Thanks to all who voted for my car. It was a tough month to be in the running for car of the month and as I said earlier I think every single one of them are winners
#6
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Linson, I stand by your decision 100%.. I’ve put a lot of work into thirdgens, but not this one.. Topspeed has blood, sweat and and awesome car..
Topspeed, I hear you man, been nominated 4 times and never seem to cross the line! Congrats on doing it man! If you didn’t win I would have nominated you down the line and promoted the work you did.. it was great to read about all the work you put in this month!
Topspeed, I hear you man, been nominated 4 times and never seem to cross the line! Congrats on doing it man! If you didn’t win I would have nominated you down the line and promoted the work you did.. it was great to read about all the work you put in this month!
#7
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Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Very cool custom car.
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#8
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Linson, I stand by your decision 100%.. I’ve put a lot of work into thirdgens, but not this one.. Topspeed has blood, sweat and and awesome car..
Topspeed, I hear you man, been nominated 4 times and never seem to cross the line! Congrats on doing it man! If you didn’t win I would have nominated you down the line and promoted the work you did.. it was great to read about all the work you put in this month!
Topspeed, I hear you man, been nominated 4 times and never seem to cross the line! Congrats on doing it man! If you didn’t win I would have nominated you down the line and promoted the work you did.. it was great to read about all the work you put in this month!
#9
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
This is my wife's car. I think she has something for Maroon convertibles. LOL
#10
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Wow, your wife’s Vert is gorgeous!
I’m up in Newburyport, MA and grew up near Springfield, MA. What part of NY for you?
Seriously, congrats on a tough class of cars!
I’m up in Newburyport, MA and grew up near Springfield, MA. What part of NY for you?
Seriously, congrats on a tough class of cars!
#11
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
I'm in Albany New York. My parents grew up in Springfield and that's where most of my family is from. We aren't too far away and maybe over the summer we can hook up
#13
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Absolutely, would be great to get the cars together (and not race because I’m bone stock).. I know Albany pretty well from when my cover band played The Bayou.. Small world!
#14
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Car: '87 FIREGOOSE!!!!
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
These were all such beautiful cars, all winners. Truly. But congratulations to Topspeed, great accomplishment!!! Get that car to the Trans Am Nationals in August!!!
#17
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Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Going to be a very difficult voting decision for COTY. The "open season" contests all year have brought forward one of the strongest group of cars seen in a long time. I'll bet it is another round like this one with close voting between most cars.
#18
Member
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Amazing looking car and those pictures are top notch too!
I loved the open season nominations this year. We always had a nice mix of Firebirds and Camaros. Would love to see to see that continue. Any deserving car should being able to get nominated each month.
I loved the open season nominations this year. We always had a nice mix of Firebirds and Camaros. Would love to see to see that continue. Any deserving car should being able to get nominated each month.
#19
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Another month of difficult decisions.
Congrats !
Congrats !
#21
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Great job Topspeed.
A well deserved win.
A well deserved win.
#22
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Car: 92 & 91 Z28 1LEs, 87 IROC-Z, 90 ZR1
Engine: L98, LT5
Transmission: 700R4, 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.42, 3.73, 3.27
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Awesome car and I love the story with how it has come full circle, congrats and well deserved!
#23
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Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Great transformation there I am sure a lot of hard work- well deserved. Congrats
#25
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Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 406 on N20 w/ EFI
Transmission: P.B. 700R4
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt w/ 3.91
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
great story and great car. congrats on the win. you earned it. many awesome cars in the running this month !
#27
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Car: 92 RS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Congrats Topspeed. That just might be my favorite bird on here. I absolutely love the two tone color combo and custom hood.
#28
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**
Thanks everyone. It's a honor to represent this forum this month.
#29
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
#31
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Car: '84 Firebird
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 with kit
Axle/Gears: BW 3.73 Posi
Re: December 2017 COTM **WINNER**