Built Firebird Part-Out: Fresh, Fully-Built LS2, T-56 and More Up for Grabs

Firebird Trans Am was almost cut in half by a mailbox just 250 miles after the engine was installed.

While flipping through the newest listings in the LS1Tech Marketplace, we came across the story of a fourth generation Pontiac Firebird that just breaks your heart. “Jeringo” installed a fully-built LS2 and after about 250 miles of driving, he got a little careless while driving in the rain and hit what he calls a mailbox. We don’t know what kind of mailbox, but it nearly cut the Pontiac muscle car in half.

Needless to say, the car is totaled, so the OP is parting it out along with selling everything that he has laying around for a fourth generation Firebird, including a nearly-complete parts car. There are plenty of good parts between the two cars, but the most interesting piece is the fresh, fully-built LS2.

The Introduction

When the OP posted his Firebird as a part-out in the LS1Tech Marketplace at the end of January, he included the following backstory.

Long story short I got caught out in the rain and wasn’t careful enough and ended up getting close and personal with a rather well-built mailbox. Insurance totaled the car and I need to let this all go and leave my dreams for later in life. If it’s not listed chances are that I just forgot. Most of this is local pickup, North GA 30004, if its small enough to ship then I can if need be. The engine only has around 250 miles on it (you live and you learn I guess). Everything that doesn’t have a price just PM me an offer. I am pulling the engine out on Sunday at the earliest.

He also included a list of “notable parts”, including the Tremec T-56 manual transmission, an assortment of BMR suspension and chassis bits, about a dozen random parts for a fourth generation F-Body and, as mentioned above, a 2000 Firebird Formula with all of the exterior panels shy of the hood. That car also has full interior, so if you are looking for body or interior parts from the final era of the Firebird, this thread could be tremendously helpful for some buyers.

The Built LS2

While the part-out thread has tons of useful parts for sale for a fourth generation Firebird, the engine is something that could be of interest to a much broader audience. It is an LS2 that has been fitted with a new, bottom end, LS3 cylinder heads, an aftermarket camshaft, an LS3 intake manifold, LS3 injectors and an assortment of other upgrades. The only thing not mentioned is the exhaust system setup, whether it comes with headers or if they were damaged in the accident.

Engine – $7000 Full Crate
– LS2 block
– 24x crank 1x cam
– LS3 heads (newly rebuilt)
– TSP 6.125 super H beam rods
– Wiesco 4.005″ -3.2 cc Flattop Pistons with HD tool steel
– New balanced GM Crank and bearings
– Custom Ground Cam
– BTR Dual valve springs
– LS3 intake
– LS3 injectors
– LS9 valve covers
– truck coils
– eBay 92mm Throttle Body

In any case, this engine could be a great buy for someone who is looking to install a ready-to-run LS2 in their winter project car. In fact, anyone who has a fourth generation Firebird of any kind could buy all of the pieces from this part-out to build a pretty wicked street car and since everything came off of a running, driving car, it shouldn’t be a problem having the new project ready by spring.

Join the LS1tech forums today!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com