I found an 89 Firebird on craigslist and since I've bought it, I've been enjoying the living day lights out of it especially since its my first car. The only issue is that it needs some work and I have a very low budget for it. However I do have a father who is a great mechanic and a few other master mechanics I can contact. So I was wondering if anyone could help me out with my issues as far as parts, ideas, advice, anything really. I'll also attatch some photos and list the details below:

I have no headliner in the interior of the car
The carpet is worn near the foot areas of both sides
The seats (front and back) are a little torn and worn down
The center consol has expanded from heat and doesn't really fit
The lid to the center consol is flattened
The glove pouch (not a box) is a little worn and I'd like to put in a box if at all possible
The headlight motors have stopped working which i've found a repair kit for them
The hood hydrolics no longer hold the hood up
I'd like to make an engine swap to something bigger if possible (including drive train and transmission with a rear that all works properly together)
The shocks need replacing
The paint seems a little flat even after wax and I'd like to know a great do-it-yourself method to keep original paint scheme since it costs thousands
The catalytic converter drags over speed bumps (most likely due to shocks)
A few plastic covers are missing all over the car (front driverside wheel well, fuse box, missing screws for the rear interior wheel wells, seat belt covers, ect.)
Rear wheel well rust (not too bad with holes or anything)
Probsbly some other under carriage work may be needed as well

But other than those few things the car is solid and in great shape and I would love to fix most, if not all, problems minus the motor swap before I go to the Marines in a year. Anyone have any advice, ideas, or anything at all they could pass down to me? I would appreciate it so much and I'm sure some of you would like to see this machine back on it's feet as well. Thanks for your time, please be sure to look at the pics for exterior information. Oh and if someone would like me to send them more pics for evidence on anything described, I would be more than happy to do so.

 

Welcome to TGO!!! It looks like a pretty nice project you've got there.

Most of the stuff you listed are parts that can easily be replaced little by little as you get the money. I would definitely get the rust taken care of as quick as possible because it's only going to get worse and more expensive to fix. Just remember, it's better to pay a little more and have it done right.

Be sure to check out our website once you're ready to start picking up some parts for it.

 

I agree, get the rust fixed asap or it'll eat your car alive.

As for interior and motor/drivetrain you can get all that stuff from another 3rd or even a 4th gen and it'll almost all swap out with little to no problems.

And as for the paint, check this thread out I'm using it to paint my car and I think you'll find it useful.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...paint-job.html

 

I will most likely purchase some of your parts. It looks like you have everything I couldn't find! But I plan on tackling the rust, giving it a new paint job, fixing some of the body's flaws and cleaning up my wheels to finish off the exterior work. I'll post images when it's all finished. From there I plan to tackle the interior since that's not a lot of work either. From there I'm tackling the suspension and shooting for a creat LT1 motor if I can save up the money

 

First of all,Be safe in your journey to joining the Marines..Secondly,sounds like you came and snatched my car out of the drive...Best of wishes to you..

 

Welcome to the site.This is a great place to learn more about your car,with lots of informative members.

If you need any new parts here's a link to our site,just PM me if you have any questions.

Pontiac Firebird Parts

 

Some news for my build:

Buddy of mine has a 350 engine out of his 88 camaro that he is going to sell to me for $500.

Plus I'll be getting a 92 Camaro for interior and possibly new transmission depending on the mileage.

After that, all I need is a new suspension and some body work and she's almost done

 

Let me save you a little time and frustration here. It's not possible unless you remove or relocate the computer. There is no traditional glove box in any 3rd generation Firebirds (or Camaros) that I know of, since that space is occupied by the computer.

 

Thank you, that's good to know. I think I'll try to take it all apart and find a new space for the computer and put a box in. That way it will be unique Thanks again.