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The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Well guys, this is going to be a long first post... Just a fair warning.
It all started in 2001. I was at soccer practice (age 10) and my dad rolled up in a sweet loud firebird. I remember falling in love with the car. I remember me and my sister were checking out the car after soccer practice and my sister locked the key's in the car. First day of my father owning the car and already had the keys locked in. So a lock smith came by and got in the car for us... Lesson learned for my dad, he immediately had a spare key made!
My dad ends up smashing the oil pan by accident and didn't think of it, started the car and BANG BANG BANG. New engine time... After a huge fiasco and months later the HCI 357 is installed, along with an Edge 2900 stall. Car is running again early 2002.
He never really got the car running to well, and eventually it ends up sitting with the occasional trip to the air port to do some burnouts with me.
WHAM WHAM WHAM, car gets vandalized August 2005 while it is sitting out on the street. My dad chased them for a few hundred feet and caught a look at them, and they end up getting caught. My father ends up getting a nice size check out of the deal to replace the hood, windsheild and side window. Approximately 5K or so I believe. 30 dollar hood from the junkyard, and $500 in glass, he made out pretty good and the car continues to sit with the occasional trips to the air port.
Fast forward to 2007, I get my license. I buy a 1970 LeMan's to build to compete with my dad's Formula. Well, after it sitting all these years, and 16,000 miles on it since he bought it. He decides he needs to get rid of it. He offers it to me at the son price. I either had 3500 to put an engine in my Lemans which would also need, paint and some body work... Or take the bird which is already powerful, paint looks great... and overall just a better deal. LeMans SOLD!
So me being 16 in a HCI Formula, I ofcourse got in all types of trouble in the car, with my dad being pretty cool about everything. The cars starts going down hill. First the tranny (replaced with a stock used one with 60k approx on it), then the POSI goes out, so I rebuilt it myself machining the cones myself as well. Then I find out the engine has low compression in 2 cylinders. Pull the engine to have 3 pistons fall apart when I pull the rings off. So I rebuild the engine with Forged Pistons and while I was at it added a bigger cam.
I found out about the engine while I was in training in the Air Force and built the engine when I was on leave. I finished the engine, but ran out of time for the install. 3 months later I lost my dad, so I was home again for emergency leave. I finished the engine install, and aparantly the tranny didn't like the bigger cam and started slipping which leaves you with where I am at now.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
I am about to go on leave in June and need the car running so I can take it to paint in July. She currently has a trashed 700r4 in it. So...
I ordered everything I need to do the T56 swap... figured since I car has never really ran perfect and the chip being setup for auto, I decided to get an EBL P4 computer for it and will be ordering a wideband soon... Since the TES system is junk and I need an O2 bung for the wideband installed, I figured now would also be a upgrade to Dyno Don headers and y-pipe. He will be welding in an extra O2 bung for me... All these little things end up with me just saying eff it and going with better stuff.
I also ordered new door pins, weather stripping, stock decals, and am going to get a mechanical trunk latch. Car will be getting repainted in the stock color...
So now the time count down until I arrive home June 11th. I really hope I can get everything done and ready for the Santa Cruz GTG, along with me being able to go to the track a few times!
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Sounds loke you have a lot of work ahead of you. If you need help and I am in the area, let me know. Ill gladly stop thru and turn some wrenches with you... will also be my way of paying my last respects to your father.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Originally Posted by Copchaser
Sounds loke you have a lot of work ahead of you. If you need help and I am in the area, let me know. Ill gladly stop thru and turn some wrenches with you... will also be my way of paying my last respects to your father.
Sounds good! I plan to have everything pulled 2 days after I get home, then I to go to do my buddies bachelor party, then his wedding... Then going to town to put the T56 in the following monday. I have given myself 3 days to get it reassembled. It would be awesome if you could stop by and lend a hand at some point. I never turn down and helping hand. I have a place you can crash and beer!
Originally Posted by itsMikey
always been a fan of your Formula dude..car looks great and it sounds like youre headed in the right direction
lower it more though
Thanks! I really appreciate it! Unfortunately, these days the top of the car is missing clear coat and it looks pretty horrible. But it will look that much better once it is repainted. Going to have the ZR1 wheels painted to match the charcoal on the bottom of the car... What do you guys think about paint matching the wheels?
Suspension and brakes are on my list for next year... I agree it really needs to be lowered. I have a picture where you can see light from under my car like a monster truck... it's bad!
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Ill make a swap tutorial... There isn't a swap done completely in 1 post. So I will write it up. I have pictures of how you need to modify the pedals and where to cut and such too... So I am def taking pictures.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Update: T56 is installed and running... runs pretty rough, I really need to put in my new ECU and wideband sensor. Not sure if I want to risk running it to Santa Cruz. I am going to drive it for a few days and decide.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Yeah, I am sure she needs new plugs, plug wires, and a distributor cap.
I was going to race the car today in sac, but they are closed or something... So that kinda sucks. I think I am going to head to sac anyways to hit the pick n pull's... I need a few things.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Update... Made it to the drags on the 4th and pulled off a 13.7 @ 100.7 2.2 60ft. Not bad being that I need new plugs, wires, and cap... along with the tune being WAY off... I have a lot more I can gain... Should be easy 12's when I get it tuned on some new drag radials.
Car will be going in for paint in 2-3 months. I can't wait to see it... If I get orders to stay overseas, I will be coming home in Feb or March to check out my paint job, get the new wheels on, bigger brakes, and lower it.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Well guys, not a whole lot to update... I got in on the Tokico Blow out sale and got some drop springs with adjustable struts that I plan on using for a while. I would like to eventually go the weightjack route, but I got too good of a deal to pass up.
Currently I am looking for a 9" so I can get a good gear ratio and run some slicks... Not going to sink another dime in this 9 bolt.
Right now I am leaning heavily towards getting out of the military and using my GI Bill, meaning I should be back in the states for my last year in. Planning on having the bird shipped out when I get back in June to my next base. So I will have a year to get the bird all together before I go to college.
The bird won't be going to college with me I don't think. I am probably take the Mustang as I wouldn't be as upset if it got a bit dinged up. So it will probably end up going back into storage... Looking back, I just realized that the bird has only gotten around 27k miles since 2001... ouch, and a lot more sitting in the next 4-5 years... I better drive the hell out of it when I am back stateside!
Also, Paint got pushed back til around March. The painter had wrist surgery so he is out for a bit recovering... Which I think works out a bit more in my favor being that the paint will be fresher when I get back to the states.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Here are a couple video's from when I went to the track.
In car view... I think Felicia was trying to give me some weight reduction tips in this one... haha
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Not a whole lot of updates... I will be coming home in February again to ensure everything is ready for the bird to be painted... Only money I am going to be spending before I come home is probably for a short shifter...
The To Do list for February:
Install new DD headers + Dual Cat y-pipe
Install EBL flash ECU and wideband
Install Shortshifter, Wire in switch for reverse lockout, and install speedometer fixer box thingy.
Install Tokico drop suspension + adjustable struts
I will throw some new drag radials on and run it some more as well...
Decided I am going to hold off on the 9" and Brake upgrade until June when I move back stateside. I'll be shipping the bird most likely to where ever I am headed next, unless I end up at a location with a ton of snow + salt.
Just a small update for now I guess... I spend way too much time thinking about my car to be honest. I miss it. My STi out here isn't filling the void.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
In lieu of the GTG I am setting up, I decided I would buy a set of wheels. These wheels are period correct to keep my car in STYLE! Hopefully they will be here in time for it though...
Also, my paperwork got messed up and I am now stuck in Japan an extra year unfortunately. I am pretty pissed about it to be honest. I am now going to be getting out March 2014 when my 4 years is up and will be seperating from Japan. I was trying to come back to the states so I could work on the bird for a year, experience another base, and get College setup. But my luck has shown to be true yet again...
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
I never updated the thread from when I was home in February...
Well, I got the EBL P4 installed and started tuning. I also got the Ronal R15 installed with my Tokico illumina struts/drop springs. I then took the car to Oregon for a few days to visit family. The car did amazing on the trip and I had a blast! On my way back, I ran into an 04 GTO hauling *** through the mountain roads so I of course joined him! He couldn't quite keep up with the old bird. I was proud! So that was a blast!
I pretty much enjoyed the car the whole time I was home. I also took it to Reno for the weekend. Another awesome drive!
Before I left I ran in again in the 1/4 on street tires... Ran a 13.6@103 with a 2.2 60ft time. The tuning definitely helped, but the car is in dire need of some new spark plugs and such. Also didn't help that I was running the car in open loop I'm going to be looking for some better times when I get that 9" installed. I want to run at least high 12's on motor before I rip it apart to put on AFR's and a ported superram. I know the car has it in it, I ran a 13.1@105 1.8 back when the car was a stalled 700R4 with a smaller cam and low compression in 2 cylinders.
Since I have been running low on stuff I need to install, I have been ordering more stuff of course. I think out of all my parts I only have the Dyno Don exhaust and wideband left to be installed. Still running the Edelcrap TES exhaust.
Ordered
Spohn crossmember mounted adj Torque Arm
Wilwood 13" front brakes
Mcleod Street twin clutch (twin disk)
About to order:
Moser 9"
PST driveshaft
I am currently deployed right now, so between that and being stationed in Japan it really puts a damper on things. I am going to be separating in January, so I will be tearing the car apart for the final time, fix everything, install the upgrades, and send it off for paint.
I then plan on taking it to college... No point in having it sit around for another 4 years. Especially after it is completed and ready to tear up the roads!
Here are some shots from when I was home!
Headed to Oregon
Good scenery on the way to Oregon
Mini GTG in Sac/Grass Valley
Dirty, but with Ronals!
Sorry about the pictures. I'll fix them when I get some more time.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
For those even following, I was planning on getting out in January... until the Air Force offered to send me to England for 2 years, living off-base working at the Air Port in civilian clothes doing a postal duty. It is too sweet to pass up, so I went ahead and signed my life away for an additional 26 months!
That being said, I am going to go ahead and pay my shop to install my 9" and wilwood brakes while I am gone. I was going to do it myself after I get out, but things changed. Car will be going in for paint in Decemberish now.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Unfortunately I don't have any real news or anything new done to the bird, but I did pick up a P1SC for it... figured I might as well since the T56, Clutch, and 9" can hold the power...
Then I guess another update would be incase the bird doesn't get finished in time for England, I picked up a Garnet Red 93 GMC Typhoon. I was going to post the burnout icon thingy but it's AWD
Lol, with the Bird soon to be boosted, and the Typhoon coming boosted stock, looks like I might need to buy a On3 kit for the stang and use it as a grudge car... or sell it! haha
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
So the Firebird is FINALLY in the paint shop. Should be done around February. At this point I have decided to have it shipped to me in New Mexico where I will eventually install the HRE 18" mesh wheels, install the D1SC, and get back to getting her in good shape.
She has been sitting around for the last 7 years deteriorating pretty bad, so it will be nice to revive her. I will be shooting for a 2 part build motor wise. I plan to push the 350 until it lets go to see how much power I can make while learning how to tune it properly. After she lets go, it will be a forged dart setup around 400ci, AFR heads, fully ported superram, boost cam, and all the boost it will take to get around 700 wheel.
At this point, it's one step at a time. I'm glad its finally getting painted as she was getting painful to look at. I know my dad will be looking down at the bird and smiling soon!
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Still at the paint shop... Not too worried as I'm pretty busy in school, bought another project car since the Iroc is almost done to my liking. When it's done and back with me, I will be providing more updates!
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Painter sent me a video of the old super sagging door all fixed up with new door pins and closing like a dream! Looks like it's finally in motion! No idea when it will be done, but I'm not in a huge rush. Maybe it will motivate me to want to touch it again, been burned on the car multiple times while I was stationed overseas with parts I ordered going missing/ruined from weather and such.
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Really, I'm just ready to get Felicia back so I can do some wrenching and get her running good again. 8 years of neglect hasn't been good to her. My interior is shot again... I look forward to introducing her to the rest of her family. lol
Re: The Formula's Rebirth... Felicia's build thread and some history!
Yeah, I'll probably get rid of the 2 birds in the Garage and just get down to my Iroc and Formula. I built the Iroc how I wanted it, and the Formula will be closer to how my dad had it... focusing the build around the superram that he loved so much.
05-17-2012, 05:03 AM
ugh 
