Thunder175

From these previous threads we've made some progress.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/drag-racing-tech/561820-project-98-pt-2-a.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-firebird-1967-2002/438621-project-98-a.html

Got a new front end on the car. And don't ask, I really do NOT recommend it for anyone to emulate. What a pain in the ***. Luckily the back end was a little easier. Still, if I knew what it would have taken to get this to work there is no way I would have gone this route. But at least it is different...

Oh, and yes I realize how high it looks but that is because there is nothing but empty space in the engine bay.

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

I love this project, something I could only dream about doing. I really like what you've done for the back bumper for the bars etc., can't wait til its finished, very nice work.

Magnet

iTrader: (36)

looks awsome! what your motor plans??

NRC-Motorsports

when all was said and done, how much weight did that nose take off the front end of the car?

jay

DopeFedZ

iTrader: (34)

I can only imagine what a pain it was to get the frontend and bumper to fit. I purchased a fiberglass dashboard and the fit and finish were horrible. I sold it right away and kept the stocker in place. Nice work though I'm glad you were able to get it to fit nice.

ApacheDrill

iTrader: (21)

I like the way it looks..its deffiantley not stock and i also like the way your doing what you have done.. why start with a mint car and tear it up.. find a V6 or what you did and build it right the way you want it..

1998TA__1991RS

iTrader: (23)

i dont think that car was mint, i think it was a little rough with a ton of miles

ApacheDrill

iTrader: (21)

that was my point, why do it with a mint car, he didnt so it was the right way to start that kind of project

Thunder175

You are correct. I also have an 02 NHRA TA that sits in storage in a garage with only 13k miles on it. This one I bought off Ebay for a few grand in December of 2004 specifically for this purpose. The car needed some TLC as you could totally tell it was a kids car that was pounded on (especially by the rolling papers, dried up marijuana, and pipe we found in the headliner during teardown).

My advice is find a cheap V6 or Firebird and go with that. Even better would be to find a wrecked car for even cheaper. As long as the frame is straight, there is nothing a good fabricator can not do!

Thunder175

It was a pain, let me telll you. VFN basically scewed me on this one. The front clip should have never left QC in the shape it was in, but unfortunately we couldn't tell until we started to mount it. The quality was abysmal to say the least. Selling it was not an option for me obviously so I had no choice but to take the absolute and suck it up. I guess the positive side being able to take the whole nose off the car with six dzus fasteners is a nice. The other thing cool that the glass place did was extend the hood and clip to the windshield. The VFN hood was barely long enough to reach the stock plastic trim and that just wan't going to fly. So the guys at the shop reglassed the back bringing the whole hood back to meet the windshield. Looks incredible with the glass actually in the car! Bottom line is it was a major tactical error on my part that cost me and I would not do it again.

Oh, and I don't know how much weight it actually saved off an OEM front. At this point I could care less, as long as the stupid thing is done.

Motor plans are for at least a 572 BBC. With that nice big hood I could probably even stuff a tunnel ram in there!!

NOTFAST

iTrader: (10)

car looks good...i see its at tysons shop...i see my buddy's blue firehawk on the lift

Doc

iTrader: (9)

Props to you for sticking with it! Many others would have cried like babies and run for the tall grass. Life is not fair that is for sure, especially in the modded car biz. Keep us updated on the project. Once again, I salute your steadfastness in the shitstorm.

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

So was that nose the Pro Stock version (for extended wheelbase), or does VFN make on for the factory wheelbased cars? If that was the longer version, the shop did an excellent job of shortening it and matching it up with the doors.

Thunder175

Yes that was the 'Pro Mod' extended version. Unfortunately VFN doesn't have a shorter one, but it is pretty simple to get it to match since they have the seam where the doors would be molded into the fiberglass. And yes the shop did a great job with it. Course they have over 50 hours in everything by the end of it...

kp

iTrader: (34)

Thats a lot of work

Matt D

iTrader: (49)

So you couldn't smoke the weed then? What a kick in the nuts.

02BlueFirehawk

awww shizzle, top secret locale of "the myth" firehawk has been revealed. The fact it's on a lift is a promising sign of life to come. lol.

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

Are there plans to mold Trans Am rear ground effects into the "formula" bumper?

TheOutlaw

Right now the cars weight is 1800 LBS with out BBC and powerglide. The car weight finished should be around 2650 to 2700 LBS without the driver and fuel. As soon as the motor comes out of Fireballs car I can scale his car and get the difference on the weight between both front ends

Thunder175

WOW! 1800lbs currently? It is my car and I didn't even realize we gutted it that much. Way to go Tyson!!