Project Blackbird Firebird Makes 1,028 Horsepower to the Wheels

Firebird owner showcases his turbo drag car, in this short, sweet and simple build thread.

Some build threads here on LS1Tech walk us through each step of the process with a detailed explanation of what was going on and why the owner went that route. Other build threads are short, sweet and to the point, including a mod list and a whole lot of pictures. The story of Project Blackbird fits into the second category, as forum member “ws602” laid out his entire build in pictures while keeping the text to a list of features. In doing so, he has shown how his 2002 Firebird was built up to send more than 1,000 horsepower to the rear wheels.

The Introduction

When the OP first introduced the forum to Project Blackbird, he did so by sharing a full list of modifications included in the build. He would share that same list every couple of replies, mixing it in with the many pictures that are included in the thread.

I figured I will start a build thread since the car is almost complete it’s a D3 performance getting a full PROEFI install.

Engine
LME LSX 427 solid roller
MARCELLA intake
ALLpro 12-1 heads

Fuel system
Squash performance twin 450 pumps
Moran 235 injectors
Magnafuel 4103 fuel pump that’s hooked up on sump in plastic tank will be triggered by PROEFI
System one fuel -10 micron fuel filter
-10 feed
-8 return
All Redhorse hose and fittings

Transmission
North Texas converter 4l80e with every upgrade known to man D3 trans brake
North Texas converter triple disc converter with a hand built stator and mechanical diode
PST carbon fiber driveshaft with Spicer joints and with a Mark Williams yokes

Suspension
Afco big gun shocks on all four corners
Burkhart chassis fabbed rear
3.50 pro gear
40 splined gun drilled star flanged axles
Dual aerospace brakes
Aluminum center section
Rear narrowed 3 inches each side

Power adder
Twin 7675 mm turbo kit built by Kytp. Air-to-air inter cooler setup

Wheels
Champion beadlock 15×10.with 5 inches of back space on rear
15×4 on the front
Burkhart complete from end kit
With aerospace brakes

Lots of Images

While the OP would copy and share his mod list over and over again throughout the build thread, he did so while sharing a ton of pictures. Pretty much everything that went into the build to help make more power is pictured at some point in the thread, along with detail shots of the cylinder head ports, the inside of the intake manifold, a look at the suspension setup out of the car, the incredible wiring effort and, of course, completed images of the car in the driveway and on the dyno.

Speaking of the dyno, towards the end of this picture-heavy thread, the OP shares that his Firebird made 950 rear wheel horsepower at 11 pounds of boost with some tuning issues. Later on, he points out that the car eventually made 1,028 horsepower and 853.9 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels on 11 pounds of boost in his LS-powered Firebird.

Again, there isn’t a whole lot of discussion about the build, but if you like looking at a “build in pictures”, the Project Blackbird Firebird thread is a great way for you to kill some time at work.

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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