LS power into 1980 Firebird
#21
I would really like to take care of everything under the hood before the motor goes in. Now, I don't know if I should get the subframe powdercoated or paint it with some rubberised paintable undercoating I saw at the parts store. The undercoating would be cheaper for now and would allow more money for the fuel system and other stuff that will be needed.
Just take your time and it will come out nice....please don't be one of those guys who drops a nice engine on the 30 year old chassis....you'll hate yourself for doing that.
#23
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From: Eeerrrwhere south, tx
You don't need to spend a lot of money to detail the subframe and stuff under the hood...I did mine with some napa chassis paint and underhood black paint in the can, some krylon, and a whole lot of elbow grease prepping it.
Just take your time and it will come out nice....please don't be one of those guys who drops a nice engine on the 30 year old chassis....you'll hate yourself for doing that.
Just take your time and it will come out nice....please don't be one of those guys who drops a nice engine on the 30 year old chassis....you'll hate yourself for doing that.
By the way that looks nice. What springs are you using?
#26
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http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HSS-1908F/?rtype=10
Along with these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KYB-KG4515/
Or these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-33996/
#27
You guys seem to be rolling along good. I to have been working as money permits. I had a lot of part's i wanted to install on the chasis before i went up with it. So far i pressure washed the frame, rustoleum, and painted it. Undercoating on the fire wall. Found out i had the adapter plates on the wrong side of the engine(That's why the engine did'nt line up) change the the adapt plates and the engine line up perfect, the 350TH will fit just right, no drive shaft needed. I don't know how to post pic, and its not as detailed as the guy on hear but its clean, and shinny. Ordered a lot of parts dew to selling a old Tarus i had. Also got the pass side floor pan, lower quarter panel, 1' rear sway bar, trunk lid springs, but decided not to try and install the floor pan(im no body man) Will get the paint,and floors done after i get it running.
#28
Hmm, but you are using 5.3 iron block and mine is aluminum. I dont think that would work for me, I'm thinking of using these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HSS-1908F/?rtype=10
Along with these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KYB-KG4515/
Or these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-33996/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HSS-1908F/?rtype=10
Along with these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KYB-KG4515/
Or these.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-33996/
When I got my car my front end was about 2" higher than the rear, it made it uncomfortable to drive. From what I read on cutting stock coils is that one round would be close to a 2" drop in the front, and I didn't have the AC installed, which will be back in the car this go around...so "hopefully" this will get me in the ballpark
#29
#30
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That's a good combo, the only problem I have with aftermarket springs is that most of the 2nd gen guys that used them still had to cut some of the coils just to get the front to sit right.
When I got my car my front end was about 2" higher than the rear, it made it uncomfortable to drive. From what I read on cutting stock coils is that one round would be close to a 2" drop in the front, and I didn't have the AC installed, which will be back in the car this go around...so "hopefully" this will get me in the ballpark
When I got my car my front end was about 2" higher than the rear, it made it uncomfortable to drive. From what I read on cutting stock coils is that one round would be close to a 2" drop in the front, and I didn't have the AC installed, which will be back in the car this go around...so "hopefully" this will get me in the ballpark
#31
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From: Eeerrrwhere south, tx
You guys seem to be rolling along good. I to have been working as money permits. I had a lot of part's i wanted to install on the chasis before i went up with it. So far i pressure washed the frame, rustoleum, and painted it. Undercoating on the fire wall. Found out i had the adapter plates on the wrong side of the engine(That's why the engine did'nt line up) change the the adapt plates and the engine line up perfect, the 350TH will fit just right, no drive shaft needed. I don't know how to post pic, and its not as detailed as the guy on hear but its clean, and shinny. Ordered a lot of parts dew to selling a old Tarus i had. Also got the pass side floor pan, lower quarter panel, 1' rear sway bar, trunk lid springs, but decided not to try and install the floor pan(im no body man) Will get the paint,and floors done after i get it running.
#32
I too need the radiator support, i the GoodMark sells a repair kit, cant seem to find the whole thing. I got a lot of parts from NPD! I ordered the hot side for the turbo. If i dont use this Holset truck turbo, i will use it to setup the pipes.
#33
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Anyway, I got a hold of some guy that parts out cars and said he had a few core supports for like $30 bucks but that they werent in the greatest condition either.
By the way, I have ordered some parts. Bushings for: body, sway bar, control arms, core support, along with the 1" back trans dapt plates for the ls1, swaybar endlinks, and tie rod ends. Started taking apart the subframe to get it sanblasted (either I get one and do it myself or pay) and hopefully I can come up with some cash for powdercoating.
#34
I see NPD sells the for Camaros, but i dont think they will fit T/As. I too also installed poly body bushing, and Hydro boost brakes. Have no idea what size gauges i need for speed-O, and RPM. I want a A/F gauge, but they are high!
#38
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Actually as far as any work on the car I did some. Everything has been taken apart in the front suspension. I am now waiting for the por-15 that I ordered, UPS fu(%ed it up, so now it will be getting here on thursday at the latest.
Also I already have the whole steering assembly that was ordered through pro-touring fbody, minus the steering box because that thing is expensive. The QA1 coilovers are also in the closet, they are not the greatest but should be good enough for this budget build. I decided on the coilovers because they were cheaper than a spring and shock combo, not only that, pepople are still cutting their springs even if they are lowering springs. I have some 18in wheels that I bought used from a buddy that I want to use on it.
Things that I need to order are the front brakes, still undecided if I should go C6 Zo6 or wilwoods, I will need a proportioning valve, master cylinder, brake booster, make some brake lines, frame stands, and sbc motor mounts.
I had not updated the thread because in reality is not much progress, work is kinda slow and not much money flowing in. I might get a different job here in the next month, maybe then I can go all out with the build.
Also I already have the whole steering assembly that was ordered through pro-touring fbody, minus the steering box because that thing is expensive. The QA1 coilovers are also in the closet, they are not the greatest but should be good enough for this budget build. I decided on the coilovers because they were cheaper than a spring and shock combo, not only that, pepople are still cutting their springs even if they are lowering springs. I have some 18in wheels that I bought used from a buddy that I want to use on it.
Things that I need to order are the front brakes, still undecided if I should go C6 Zo6 or wilwoods, I will need a proportioning valve, master cylinder, brake booster, make some brake lines, frame stands, and sbc motor mounts.
I had not updated the thread because in reality is not much progress, work is kinda slow and not much money flowing in. I might get a different job here in the next month, maybe then I can go all out with the build.
#39
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The A/F gauge are way too expensive for the wide band and gauges are one of the last things of my head for the build... I forgot to mention in the previous post that I still need a fuel tank, fuel pressure regulator, and fuel lines. This hobby is expensive, oh well.
#40
That's great your still thinking on it. Had a guy give me a price on installing floor pans, but he want me to get sub frame connectors expensive! Installed ZO6 cam, timing chain, push rods(trick flow), and oil pump! Had a lot of carbon build up in the driver side valve cover, so i cleaned the engine best i could, decide to go with a new pump to be safe. Put in 1inch rear sway bar.(Hydro Boost$46) Got all the part for the pull a part early to mid 90's Chevy Astro van has all you need including hose's, if you dont mind doing a little fabbing. I put them on my 82C-10, 87 Grandnational,85 Grandnationl, 85 TType, and now my 81 TTA! Need to add LS6 springs.