I picked up another 3rd gen, 1987 Pontiac Firebird FORMULA 350


First look:




Got it running pretty quick with a new Fuel pump:



then the 700R4 came out for a rebuild and stall convertor:





Got it too pass emissions, on the road and some new/used ROH Snypers





The heater core decided to puke all over the interior, so that was a fun replacement

I've just been cleaning the interior and replacing a bunch of broken Radio / HVAC / Shifter plate / Console parts, as it was broken into for the stereo, and they must have used a sledge hammer !

I've been driving it around town and to work quite a bit, much more fun than my P/U

~DaVe

 

Looking good. I like the new wheels. Car is begging for a paint job, but I'm sure that's already on the list lol.

 

Great to see another one being saved!

 

Sweet pickup, what are the plans?

 

Nice!

 

Looks great! Love those wheels!

 

Thanks guys !

Plan for now is just keep repairing the small things ... still needs a HVAC / radio bezel and maybe a new pod, seats are in pretty rough shape, some small under-hood items like leaky vacuum lines, etc.

And of course original red paint and most of the original decals

Also picked up a set of Eibach prokit rear springs, and need to find matching fronts.

Even stayed in the garage for a minute

~DaVe

 

Red dragon. F'n right!

Oh no thanks, honey. I've got a fresh beer!

 

sweet find, btw. Original paint cars don't hide anything!

 

Good save!

 

Well I took the red dragon to a local AutoX as my '82 was still a couple hours from being ready (oil change, etc.) ... I didn't like it after 5 of 8 runs it decided to not run, had to pull the driveshaft and rope tow it 4-5 miles home



Symptoms:
Starts very briefly and dies almost instantly
Can hear the fuel pump running / priming
Oil pressure gauge reads pressure so I don't think that's shutting it off

Time to get a fuel pressure gauge on it, and have the ignition module tested (suspect)

~DaVe

 

Still fighting MAF issues, installed both new GM relays, same symptons, so new WELLS SU-145 MAF ordered



~DaVe

 

I would agree with ignition or ECU issues too if it has good fuel pressure at the rails. It could also be low pressure from the pump.

 

Diagnosis thread ... https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ck-my-maf.html

New Wells SU-145 should be here Friday ... Really hoping it's the final "repair" / part needed as it has become frustrating !

 

i have vogtland front springs, new in the box from founders performance, ill sell them to you. i kind of did the opposite, i had the pro kits on the front of my Z and the vogtlands on the rear. if your interested ill cross the part numbers and make sure its all good.

 

Let me know a price ... Car funds are hard to come by (too many projects) ... But it sits like a 4x4 !

~DaVe

 

FINALLY got the MAF issues worked out, code free for almost 2 weeks

Added LED floor courtesy lights:



and clear marker lights:





~DaVe

 

Cool project!

 

My problem of the fuel pressure sending unit would not let the fuel pump run. Easy , cheap fix.

 

Please tell me you took the re-stricter plate off the red dragon to give it a little more juice?

 

Hell yes I did !

The Red Dragon doesn't get a lot of love, between other projects but heres a few random things:

TPI nameplate and airfoil, worth 4–6 hp and if you believe that I also have a bridge for sale!



Snypers back on after winter:





due to a radio thief ... New radio / HVAC "pod" & trim plate, stereo mount kit, rewired the old deck, new hidden antenna so I can eliminate the broken external power antenna on the fender:



And test fit of some new seats !!!



~DaVe

 

Really cool ride, I like it. A fan of the L98 Formulas.

 

Just another shot of the front seats finished :



Rear seats got some love :

Old and new



Both new



~DaVe

 

Got the rear Eibach pro-kits in and "new" shocks ... Waiting on front struts, and then the front end can be dropped

~DaVe

 

Springs give it a nice stance! What kind of rims are those? They look nice!

 

THANKS

ROH Snypers 17x9 rears, 17x8 fronts

 

Lookin good!

 

This guy is the only person I know that does a burnout in his driveway while pointing at the house. You are either very skillful or very drunk.

 

I'm fairly sure he isn't the only one.. LOL

 

Well I haven't hit any of my other things yet, .. BUT I do burnouts pretty often


~DaVe

 

wrong post

 

Incredible work and dedication, "odometergears" and others!