dprest68

iTrader: (1)

Ha. Yeah, he sold it at the Turkey Run last November. The TTA is a nice ride.

Yes I do! I am hoping things will start progressing much faster once I get this k-member issue resolved. I'd like to have it back on the road by April so that I have plenty of time to get all of the bugs worked out of it.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

So i installed them temporarily. Having the tint done to them. Then i will install the pontiac decal.

maks10

beautiful man!!! coke and miller light??? interesting combo lol

about time btw!!!

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Ha, I finished my bud light and decided to switch to a coke.

Thanks, Mak. Dropped the lights off. Hopefully get them back soon.

maks10

Car looks great man I say u look into tint after ur tinted lights

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

The problem is that my current windows have major scratches from my old weather stripping that was hard and dry. Need new glass, then I can tint. It is on my list, just don't know when I will be able to get to it. Evelyn(my wife) does seem to be all for restoring the car though. I don't think she realizes how extensive and expensive restoring a car is. Better buy up as much as I can before she can realize how expensive it is. Not to mention, when I do some to this car, I plan on doing some with the Mustang too. Better do it all at once.

cal30_sniper

iTrader: (16)

When BB Gun Fails, never fear the upgrade to 22 WMR. They just don't come back from a hit with that. Been using that solution on the squirrels around here. I've seen one too many of them in a wiring harness before to feel comfortable with 8 of them hanging around the house.

Car is looking really good. What/where is this F-body gathering in May? I'm in Pensacola now, might have to try and make it out if I'm done with the next stage of flight school by then.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Thanks, Cal. You do not want to miss the F-Body Gathering my friend. www.fbodygathering.com you will have a good time, guaranteed. It is in Atlanta, GA over memorial weekend (May 23-25.)

I also ordered some lowering springs, founders performance adjustable phb and LCA (rod to rod), poly end links, and have a couple other things I need to get.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Founders strut mounts have been ordered as well as new shocks/ struts. I didn't go with high performance ones like koni or bilstein being i don't really do much racing....although i would LOVE to take a road course on. Just went with some more comfort wise ones. I plan to own a formula one day that i will turn into my race car.

SFC's are next.

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

What shocks you went with , I got luck and traded for Kyi agx not the best either but better than auto store stuff

Still need to get some sfc myself
what springs you went with can't wait to see pics

cal30_sniper

iTrader: (16)

You're going to love the SFCs. Just make sure you find a quality shop that knows what they're doing to put them in.

I went with the Konis because when adjusted soft, they ride really, really nice. I had KYBs on before, and they were a bit teeth jarring. No experience on the Bilsteins. I tried to get Tokicos for my roommate's car, but it appears that they have either gone out of business or stopped making stuff for 3rd Gens, because you can't find them anywhere.

I'll do my best to make it out to the fbody gathering. Sounds like a great time!

-cal30sniper

maks10

good choice with doing sfc.....ill be in that market soon enough...didnt see this on ur list of upgrades but i have a bmr strut tower brace no longer in use...just let me know

ill be waiting for the spring install

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Shocks I went with Kyb. Springs are LoTek. I read they are the replacements of the dropzones that are no longer sold. 1.75" drop on all 4 corners and they are TUV approved. For $125 shipped, can't beat that. We'll see how much of a drop it does compared to my saggy factory setup.

I will have to ask around here about a quality shop to install the SFCs. That was one thing I was worried about. I hope the KYBs are not too stiff for me. i wanted KONIs, will probably upgrade to them in the future.
Mak, I went to the junk yard one day and there was this really nice GTA out there. Motor must have went or something because the body was awesome. Anyway, it had a hotchkis stb on it so I snagged it for $20. Does you BMR one not fit between the hood and your intake?

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

Yea I have intrax springs or drop zones 1.75

Judging from the pic above rear don't seem to be sagging still noticeable wheel gap , I removed the rear isolator also to get a even drop all around as mines still had a slight rack to it

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, the wheel gap is mostly what I want to get rid of. Not sure if I will remove the isolators or not. Will see how much it drops first without removing it.

Glad I ordered new links.


Difference between factory rear and these LoTek springs.

maks10

nope doesnt fit over hsr

nice deal on stb

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

Makes about 1/4 to 1/2 inch more drop in rear and makes more even all around drop unless you prefer the rake it's minimal nut I think makes a big difference

Same thing happen to my end likes lol

Linson

that is a BAD *** looking Firebird - one of the nicest I've seen. you do really nice work.

I don't like the hood. I think a Formy Power Bulge or a TA Vent hood would look sexier - but other than that, that car is totally sexy. very cool color, really nice wheel/tire combo.

your car looks WAY too mean to have a stock V6 under the hood though.

maks10

^x2

v8 has to be on the list...just looks too good not to

cal30_sniper

iTrader: (16)

Or dare to be different. Turbo V6.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

As far as the hood goes...I have been considering swapping over to the power
bulge. One thing that really bugs me about the RAII I have on is it's fitment.
I have tried to get it to sit flush with my front bumper. Still have a gap.
Maybe I need to see if a professional can do it.

I have thought about a Turbo 6 but I just can't bring myself to do it to this
car. Maybe if I ever get around to that 91-92 Formula racecar project I will
consider it. It definitely has it's advantages in cornering.


Anyway, it will be an LSx car one day.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Double post

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

I am tired of working the "old fashion" way. Hand tools take a long time to get anything done.

Linson

even a RA-I would look alright. a TA or Formy hood IMO would look just right. problem with a RA-II is...well, I think "over-stated" is the best way to describe them on - even on a 4th Gen TA.

LSx (IMO) would probably be the best way to go. Turbo 6 with (Walker-Dynomax cat back, of course) would be a cool alternative.

*I have GOT to stop doing that. now that i'm Editing COTM, I have some Moderator tools, and the "Edit" tab is right where i'm used to the "Quote" tab being. I didn't mean to hack up your post (#121). this is the second time that I meant to quote a post and accidently edited it instead. I hope you can forgive me. wont happen again.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Don't worry about your edit problem...it is understandable.

As far as the hood...I LOVE the RAII hood on my 91 Bird. With that said...it looks out of place on the earlier birds to me. I just wish mine fit more precise. To you it may be gaudy...just too bulky or something...but the nostrils of the hood just flow with the front end of the car.

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

I'm right there with you Jim, I love the RAII hood on our cars, but hate the fit. I am going to be spending some money to get my hood to "fit" on my car once I get it back in the shop to be repainted. I think it looks great on your car. Ultimately it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks about it as long as you like it.

maks10

Love the ra II hood as well...just can't fit in my budget plans

And I don't feel sorry that u don't have power tools....hand tools may take longer but at least ur in sunshine and warm weather doing it lol...waiting on updates!!!

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

I also want to see if a professional shop can get it to fit correctly.

Haha, yeah I know. I am thankful for that.

My Panhard Bar and Lower Control Arms are in. Waiting for my strut mounts which should be here tomorrow, and my struts/shocks.


Also, my swirl remover/paint defect polish and compound came in. Ended up getting the sample pack from Chemical Guy's V-Line.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Shocks/ struts and strut mounts arrived. Will post pictures when installed.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Installed shocks, springs, and panhard bar. I tried removing one of the LCA and broke 2 of my ratchets! Ended up leaving them on for now. I really can't tell if the springs lowered the car or not. I should have measured before i started. May end up removing the isolators.

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

Give the springs some time to settle before you do anything else with them. Not sure how long it should take exactly. The rear springs have already settled on my car, but I just put my front ones one, so they haven't settled yet.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Finally got those LCAs on. These are far more solid than factory. Well worth the price.


While I was swapping out the tail light harness I noticed this wire is very frail. Also when I bought the car someone used a c-clamp to hold the hatch down. The very week I bought it we also had a hurricane pass through and it lifted the hatch enough to let water get in. When I went out to my car the hatch motor was cycling up and down non stop. I unplugged it for a ahile to let it dry out. Had been working ever since Anyway, my hatch pull down isn't working right now. I'm sure this is why.


The tail lights are also done being blacked out. They turned out good. He accidentally had 1 run on the passenger side. Said he was going to fix it. Will hopefully have those back this week. Once I get those back I can install the Pontiac lettering.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Got the tail lights back today. I am pretty pleased with them. Didn't get to take a picture with them on because it was starting to get dark. I'll post one once I install the PONTIAC lettering.

I also took the car out for a little spin now that the rear end is completed. Talk about noisy. I knew it would be and I'm hoping when I put the rear carpet back in it will quiet down a bit. The car feels muuuch better with the new suspension out back. Big difference. Can't wait to get the front end done as well.

maks10

waiting

......................

feels great when u discover a long hidden problem did u fix ur hatch?

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Went to the junk yard a couple days ago and didn't find what I needed. My parts guy has it. He is all the way out in Land O Lakes though. Will get to it next week.

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

Not sure what you need, but there is a '92 T/A at LKQ in Daytona. All of the rear hatch parts were there as of Wednesday.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Just had a really windy and hard rain so they don't look as shiney as they really are. Here are the lights blacked out.


I'm thinking of installing the PONTIAC letters on-car as I'm afraid of it being misaligned . I'm not sure how this guy did it but to me they look off. What I do notice is that his red reflective bars are misaligned also. If those were aligned then is lettering would probably be perfect. It looks as thought the red bars on my car are aligned so that is good news.

maks10

Looks great!!! Looks too good to mess around with Pontiac letters man but that was ur original goal

89CamaroAndrew

Post a pic of the drop with the springs

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Wait and see, Mak. You may like how it turns out.

Waiting for them to settle but i measures fender height at 28".

89CamaroAndrew

Has there been any noticeable drop? Front or rear?

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Rear yes....i haven't done the front yet. Maybe today i wikl.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Installed the PONTIAC lettering today. Used a strip of painters tape to help align them.

maks10

wow!!!!! impressive!!!!

dprest68

iTrader: (1)

Looks great!

86T/A_Ram_Air

wow man shes lookin good

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Sooooooooo...I fixed the frayed wire, cleaned the relay, and cleaned up the contacts on the plug for the relay and the hatch motor still didn't work. So I did a little more inspecting and found this....


The middle wire is broken. The plastic around each slot looks to be melted also. Perhaps when the motor kept going up and down after the hurricanes it got so hot it melted the plastic around it.

Dave, if you happen to go out to the LKQ in Daytona please let me know. I will be searching the For Sale section of the boards and can probably get it for fairly cheap. Here is a link to exactly what I need except....this person wants way too much for it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/86-87-88-89-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-DECK-LID-HATCH-PULLDOWN-PULL-DOWN-WIRING-HARNESS-/181352219839?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a396f44bf&vxp=mtr
I also went to my parts guy and purchased a retractable cargo cover. It is a little bit faded but after seeing Luis's results with his, I may do the same thing.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Thank you! Car is slowly coming along. Has been awhile since I've added anything new to the car.

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

That trunk motor is a pain sometimes

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

I have only done the rear of the car so don't look for a difference in the front.

Before



After