My 1978 Firebird Formula Restoration
06-23-2008, 09:47 PM
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My 1978 Firebird Formula Restoration First of all I would like to say hello and thanks to all the forum members who took the time to view my first post on this very intricate and helpful forum. Since I am new to the LS1Tech Forum I would like to take the time to introduce myself to all those reading this post; my name is Kevin, and I am from Memphis Tennessee. I am sixteen years old and received my 1978 Firebird Formula a few weeks ago from my father after a month of looking at muscle cars in our region. The first car we looked at was a 1978 Camaro, but we decided against it, but after a while, our search concluded with the discovery of this 1978 Firebird Formula that we found in Jacksonville Arkansas.
A week or so after getting the car I began work on the car by removing the right side carpeting and sound deadener, which was soaked with liquid, so I decided to toss out the carpeting and the deadener deciding that it was best to purchase new carpeting and sound insulation from an online dealer. In addition to removing the carpeting, I also removed the door panels which were far too gone to be restored. I held on to the old door panels, but I plan on purchasing new ones. I have also removed the sill panels/scuff plates from the car after deciding to purchase new ones. So after I have done all this work I have decided that I need the following items to complete my restoration project, and since I am paying for all the parts myself with no help I am searching for the best deals around to restore my classic with the least hassle.
Since I began my search for reputable online dealers, I have come across several that appear to fit the bill nicely.
1. Year One
2. The Paddock
3. Classic Industries
4. National Parts Depot
5. Phoenix Graphics
6. Stock Interiors (NOTE*)
Since performing the initial work on the car I have torn apart every part of these online dealers like you wouldn't believe. I have seen every page of every site that I have listed here with the closest attention to detail, therefore for most of my parts I have decided to go with The Paddock. After calculating the cost for my new interior parts, I have discovered that The Paddock offers the best deal for the Door Panel, Carpet and Seat Cover Combination at a price of $519 for the combination. For the interior color I have decided upon camel. This color would be the color of the seat covers and door panels, but I am still trying to decide if I should get a camel carpet or a black carpet (please give me your personal opinion).
This is the interior kit I am looking at: http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
While I am fairly certain of the carpeting, door panels and seat covers I wish to purchase, I am undecided on the interior sound dampener to get. I have browsed several different choices which include the following: The stock Sound Dampeners offered by The Paddock, Dyna Plate, Dyna Liner, and Dyna Mat. Please give me your opinion on the best choice. I do not necessarily plan on keeping the car completely stock which is why I have listed dynaliner here, so don't hesitate to choose any of the dyna products as your preference.
Another issue that I need to address is the dash. Like most old cars, my dash is cracked on the top, and the problem is not a cheap one to address as one would expect. I have found that this company offers dash pad replacements that will be dyed to your preference for $12 more. The company is Dash Tops and here is the link http://www.dashtops.com/dashboard/buydash.cfm/5527
I have seen another dash replacement from one of the other online dealers for $400, so I thought that this company would be the best choice.
Another issue I have with my car is the heating/cooling situation. Problem number one is the air conditioning, and the problem is simple, it doesn't work
. I will take the car to a reputable AC shop in town for that problem, so that issue will be taken care of soon enough... The second problem is that the power windows do not function as they should; however I have recently purchased the Haynes Repair Manual for my car which contains a Schematic for my power window setup, so I will try my best at wiring the system myself.
If you have read this far into my misdirected teenage rambling, then I really appreciate your help and time.
At the top of this post, I placed a note by the Stock Interiors Company on my list.. The reason for this note is because I have read several reviews on other forums that many customers of this company have received bad products that have not matched their car's dimensions as they thought they would. Please report your findings on this company on this thread; though I plan on going with The Paddock for all my interior needs.
As for my seat foam, I also plan on using The Paddock, who offers a pair of economy seats for $249 Link : http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
Please give me advice on another site whose product may be cheaper and or better and whose product will match factory specs.
Though my steering wheel is stock and in somewhat decent shape, I have decided to replace it with a Grant steering wheel that will give the car a more classic look. Here's the link http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
Along with the interior parts, I would also like to order new trunk mats which I have found on the Paddock. This is what I am thinking of ordering: http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
also I plan to order a new jack storage bag and spare tire cover to match the trunk mat http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7 and http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
On a more serious note, I would like everyone's opinion on floor pan replacement. I have investigated my floor pans, and though there is no serious rust, there are small pen sized holes in the floor pan where rust has corroded it, which has convinced me to purchase new floor pans. Do these small holes warrant floor pan replacement? I plan on replacing them, because my logic is that if I am going to replace the interior, then I should replace the floor pans so that my investment is not sabotaged by corroding floor pans...
Exterior: I plan on painting the car all black and purchasing the two tone light gold/dark gold decal kit from Phoenix Graphics to have applied to my car. Link: http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/transam/7678df.htm
Audio: I have found a fairly cheaply priced Jensen which you can find here http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=18325
I have some pictures of my car if anyone would like to see them, so here they
are...
Thanks to all who took their precious time to review my rather ridiculous lengthy post, and all of your opinions and ideas for my project are appreciated and will be taken into consideration. Thank you all so much from a 16 year old in Memphis, Tn.
A week or so after getting the car I began work on the car by removing the right side carpeting and sound deadener, which was soaked with liquid, so I decided to toss out the carpeting and the deadener deciding that it was best to purchase new carpeting and sound insulation from an online dealer. In addition to removing the carpeting, I also removed the door panels which were far too gone to be restored. I held on to the old door panels, but I plan on purchasing new ones. I have also removed the sill panels/scuff plates from the car after deciding to purchase new ones. So after I have done all this work I have decided that I need the following items to complete my restoration project, and since I am paying for all the parts myself with no help I am searching for the best deals around to restore my classic with the least hassle.
Since I began my search for reputable online dealers, I have come across several that appear to fit the bill nicely.
1. Year One
2. The Paddock
3. Classic Industries
4. National Parts Depot
5. Phoenix Graphics
6. Stock Interiors (NOTE*)
Since performing the initial work on the car I have torn apart every part of these online dealers like you wouldn't believe. I have seen every page of every site that I have listed here with the closest attention to detail, therefore for most of my parts I have decided to go with The Paddock. After calculating the cost for my new interior parts, I have discovered that The Paddock offers the best deal for the Door Panel, Carpet and Seat Cover Combination at a price of $519 for the combination. For the interior color I have decided upon camel. This color would be the color of the seat covers and door panels, but I am still trying to decide if I should get a camel carpet or a black carpet (please give me your personal opinion).
This is the interior kit I am looking at: http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
While I am fairly certain of the carpeting, door panels and seat covers I wish to purchase, I am undecided on the interior sound dampener to get. I have browsed several different choices which include the following: The stock Sound Dampeners offered by The Paddock, Dyna Plate, Dyna Liner, and Dyna Mat. Please give me your opinion on the best choice. I do not necessarily plan on keeping the car completely stock which is why I have listed dynaliner here, so don't hesitate to choose any of the dyna products as your preference.
Another issue that I need to address is the dash. Like most old cars, my dash is cracked on the top, and the problem is not a cheap one to address as one would expect. I have found that this company offers dash pad replacements that will be dyed to your preference for $12 more. The company is Dash Tops and here is the link http://www.dashtops.com/dashboard/buydash.cfm/5527
I have seen another dash replacement from one of the other online dealers for $400, so I thought that this company would be the best choice.
Another issue I have with my car is the heating/cooling situation. Problem number one is the air conditioning, and the problem is simple, it doesn't work
. I will take the car to a reputable AC shop in town for that problem, so that issue will be taken care of soon enough... The second problem is that the power windows do not function as they should; however I have recently purchased the Haynes Repair Manual for my car which contains a Schematic for my power window setup, so I will try my best at wiring the system myself.If you have read this far into my misdirected teenage rambling, then I really appreciate your help and time.
At the top of this post, I placed a note by the Stock Interiors Company on my list.. The reason for this note is because I have read several reviews on other forums that many customers of this company have received bad products that have not matched their car's dimensions as they thought they would. Please report your findings on this company on this thread; though I plan on going with The Paddock for all my interior needs.
As for my seat foam, I also plan on using The Paddock, who offers a pair of economy seats for $249 Link : http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
Please give me advice on another site whose product may be cheaper and or better and whose product will match factory specs.
Though my steering wheel is stock and in somewhat decent shape, I have decided to replace it with a Grant steering wheel that will give the car a more classic look. Here's the link http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
Along with the interior parts, I would also like to order new trunk mats which I have found on the Paddock. This is what I am thinking of ordering: http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
also I plan to order a new jack storage bag and spare tire cover to match the trunk mat http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7 and http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/...5B8DE4D6B48EB7
On a more serious note, I would like everyone's opinion on floor pan replacement. I have investigated my floor pans, and though there is no serious rust, there are small pen sized holes in the floor pan where rust has corroded it, which has convinced me to purchase new floor pans. Do these small holes warrant floor pan replacement? I plan on replacing them, because my logic is that if I am going to replace the interior, then I should replace the floor pans so that my investment is not sabotaged by corroding floor pans...
Exterior: I plan on painting the car all black and purchasing the two tone light gold/dark gold decal kit from Phoenix Graphics to have applied to my car. Link: http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/transam/7678df.htm
Audio: I have found a fairly cheaply priced Jensen which you can find here http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=18325
I have some pictures of my car if anyone would like to see them, so here they
are...
Thanks to all who took their precious time to review my rather ridiculous lengthy post, and all of your opinions and ideas for my project are appreciated and will be taken into consideration. Thank you all so much from a 16 year old in Memphis, Tn.
06-24-2008, 09:22 AM
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You should go here.
http://transamcountry.com/community/
Stay away from Year One if you can. They are the highest priced of all the 2nd gen parts places. I use NPD, Classic Industries and AMES mostly. Most of these retailers all sell the same stuff so just shop around for the best price.
How many holes are in the floor? What you should do is sand down the floor and see if any more holes pop up. If there aren't a lot of holes or if they're in a small area, just have a body shop weld in a patch panel in the floor. If you want to go all out you can replace the whole pan but it might not be necessary unless you just don't want a patch panel there.
How did the floor get wet? Did the heater core go out and leak? That's what happened to mine. Be sure to get that fixed before you do carpet and sound deadener.
http://transamcountry.com/community/
Stay away from Year One if you can. They are the highest priced of all the 2nd gen parts places. I use NPD, Classic Industries and AMES mostly. Most of these retailers all sell the same stuff so just shop around for the best price.
How many holes are in the floor? What you should do is sand down the floor and see if any more holes pop up. If there aren't a lot of holes or if they're in a small area, just have a body shop weld in a patch panel in the floor. If you want to go all out you can replace the whole pan but it might not be necessary unless you just don't want a patch panel there.
How did the floor get wet? Did the heater core go out and leak? That's what happened to mine. Be sure to get that fixed before you do carpet and sound deadener.
