A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
#201
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Haven't been on here for a couple of days, but I have been doing a little bit of work to the car. When I removed the pop up headlights, I had to build units that replaced them, and with a bit of experimentation did that. I covered a bit of that earlier in the thread, but this week addressed an issue that had been left over. The hole left by the pop up system remained, I had an idea of what to do about it when I built the fiberglass hood latch panel. This week I built another panel and sectioned it to fit over the holes, by putting them end to end, they look like they were meant to be. BTW, the headlight assembly weighs 10.5lbs each, and the ones I replaced them with weigh 1 pound.
#202
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Had to fab brackets to place and control the headlights....
#203
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
The markers have been modified to accommodate LED's. With one LED in the center the bright light really shows up just in the middle of the marker. Extra bulb capacity evens out the light across the marker, and allows for parks and signals to operate independently of each other.
#208
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Just a depiction of the size differential between the 1LE and aftermarkets.... The BAER 13" was just a little more than 2 pounds lighter when combined with the aluminum hub, the 14" SPEC 37 was almost the exact same weight as the BAER, and the carbon ceramic weighs half of that...., but each disc costs $2500....
The following users liked this post:
Hawkeye1980 (07-17-2019)
#212
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Finally, start up getting ready to drive it again....
#213
Supreme Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,345
Received 298 Likes
on
234 Posts
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
What is the clicking at the beginning?
The more I see hard tube for coolant and short rubber ends, the more I like it. I think I may have to do that on my car(s). Are the 90* elbows something you bought, or did you have to buy longer hose for something else, then just trim them down?
The more I see hard tube for coolant and short rubber ends, the more I like it. I think I may have to do that on my car(s). Are the 90* elbows something you bought, or did you have to buy longer hose for something else, then just trim them down?
#214
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
When the car hasn't been run for awhile, the system pressurizes and fire the injectors in lieu of a choke for cold start fuel. This system over primes as far as i'm concerned, working on leaning that out a bit. The hoses are factory stockers that I cut the straight parts out so I could put the aluminum in, the aluminum tubing has to be cut and welded to form as the factory hoses have some slight bends in them. On a motor that has lots of aluminum on display, it's a nice touch, IMO.... The thermostat housing had to be purpose built to fit under the air intake and stay clear of the belt/pullies. Once again, Tommy at frankenstein speed and custom was the artist.
#215
Supreme Member
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,345
Received 298 Likes
on
234 Posts
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Which injection setup are you running? Forgive me if you already stated that. I never heard of a system doing that for cold start before cranking.
I was just minding, out loud, about the aluminum section. I won't be running a gen I engine, and I was mostly thinking of my second gen doing that. The second gen has the same issue of the lower hose, with the LS, coming in contact with the idler arms bolts. The aluminum tube is a perfect solution to avoid that, plus less risk of the lower hose getting sucked closed since the hose ends are so short.
I did have a miniram in my 88/91 for a short period before I removed the engine. That is a great solution to the complication with the air intake and the water outlet in these cars. I like it
I was just minding, out loud, about the aluminum section. I won't be running a gen I engine, and I was mostly thinking of my second gen doing that. The second gen has the same issue of the lower hose, with the LS, coming in contact with the idler arms bolts. The aluminum tube is a perfect solution to avoid that, plus less risk of the lower hose getting sucked closed since the hose ends are so short.
I did have a miniram in my 88/91 for a short period before I removed the engine. That is a great solution to the complication with the air intake and the water outlet in these cars. I like it
#216
TGO Supporter
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
I noticed earlier in the post that you had covered your plastic interior pieces in leather, could you elaborate on that? Were you able to use spray on contact cement with good results? How did the leather conform to the compound curves of the panels? You’re insights are greatly appreciated.
#217
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
A pillar peices are done.....
So far so s good. The pieces are full of tight radius complexities, and you need to build patterns first, then sew the pieces together, that takes out a lot of the stress inside the hollows and allows the adhesive to do it's job. Unfortunately too often upholstery adhesive is asked to do the impossible, and then when you have a hot day or something it gets pulled loose after it cools. I am currently working on several projects all at the same time, haven't been on here much as a result, bc the weather is nice now and I want to get the car back on the road. Should be starting back up here later this week and will be showing some of the upholstery. The whole idea for me is to do all the pieces and have them look as though they were always meant to be that way. The pic here shows a factory plastic finish on an a pillar piece and you can't really tell the difference here. In real life the feel and smell is incomparable.
#218
Senior Member
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Nice work, just browsed through the thread. I appreciate your attention to doing it YOUR way!
#219
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,694
Received 747 Likes
on
506 Posts
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: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
I always wanted to do the pillars in leather but didn't think it'd last long in the sun.. May have to revisit the idea, that looks great!.
#221
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Welding and sewing are very much the same when it comes right down to it, I've been sewing since '77, did all those interiors on the previous firebirds... This one is different bc it's all leather, leather is less forgiving than other materials bc you can only poke it with a needle once, then you get another piece, unlike cloth or vinyl that you can sew over multiple times. It will be the 'next level' I hope, like the rest of the car.
TTOP I hope you can get it done, it's a sweet smell.... It helps it you have a few extra parts around that you can experiment with....
And for all of you who like to sit around and bench race, and plan, and, well, think about women.... Try my drink, the 427seven. 4 parts Canada Dry and one shot of Southern Comfort. So far, guys are O K with it, but the women LOVE it....
#223
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Trust me, I am a man of your heart. Except for the fact that I am a bourbon guy. My crowning achievement is my carbon fiber wing that I made in my basement. The thing is fully functional and mounted on my 370 track car. It’s seen over 140 miles an hour.
#225
COTM Editor
iTrader: (22)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 1,855 Likes
on
1,270 Posts
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
That shirt is really, really gross my man.
#226
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
I like it.... If you have competed, you've at least thought of doing it. Most people don't actually go through with it.... I used an ice cooler with a 12 volt wind shield washer pump, the cooler had fittings that were silicone sealed so I could hook up the tubes…. And, yes, mine was gross too
#230
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
looks familiar, except mine had a cloth sack to hold the ice.... It did work, and those hot summer days at PIR were so much more bearable bc of it. Of course IDK what happened to the shirt....
#231
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Bags werk great for dr if you can manage them during a run, start with the pressure maxed and cut the pressure during the run to bring the nose down.....
#232
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Where did you get the extra bulb harnesses/pigtails for the front fender side markers?
Last edited by Firebat; 05-14-2019 at 07:29 AM.
#233
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
I made the harnesses, after making a template to pattern the holes, I cut them into spare side markers that I had. The bulb sockets are from an Astro van, I liked them because they are a 90' socket so it is easier to bundle the harness. Then just solder them to the appropriate signal wire and heat shrink it all....
#241
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
It's been awhile... life gets busy when the sun comes out. Back now.... Thank you all for the kind words, although I haven't had a lot of time to finish things I've had time to start a few. Will have them on soon.
#243
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Finally got the driving light boxes in and the rest of the LED's.
#245
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,694
Received 747 Likes
on
506 Posts
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: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
This car sure is "the way they should have been built"...
#247
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 571
Received 482 Likes
on
233 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
A view from the backside.
Last edited by 427seven; 07-13-2019 at 09:11 AM. Reason: photo did not load
#249
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,694
Received 747 Likes
on
506 Posts
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: A Firebird GTA the way they should have bult it....
Wow, just wow.. Every time I look at it I see something I missed!!