'88 Firebird with LS2
02-01-2007, 09:40 PM
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'88 Firebird with LS2 It took months longer than expected, but I finally got my car back yesterday. Long story short: LS2 with a few goodies, T-56 with Viper back half, Moser Ford-9 with 3.50's, and all suspension and k-member is tubular (some mild and some chrome moly).
It's about 99% done though. The tach still doesn't work, but they think the PCM is bad (no power at the correct pin). The heater isn't working, but I'll take it in tomorrow to try and fix that. The engine runs really good and I think it sounds good too. The ride is pretty harsh, I was hoping the progressive rate springs would keep things smoother. The suspension springs make a lot of noise too, like they're shifting around; I'm hoping they'll settle in as the powder coating wears off. I'm also thinking about cutting the springs and placing a thin rubber bushing on top; there isn't enough room for one right now.
I started asking questions on this board towards the end of the install when there were some problems. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge on these engines and other goodies!
On the way home:
It's about 99% done though. The tach still doesn't work, but they think the PCM is bad (no power at the correct pin). The heater isn't working, but I'll take it in tomorrow to try and fix that. The engine runs really good and I think it sounds good too. The ride is pretty harsh, I was hoping the progressive rate springs would keep things smoother. The suspension springs make a lot of noise too, like they're shifting around; I'm hoping they'll settle in as the powder coating wears off. I'm also thinking about cutting the springs and placing a thin rubber bushing on top; there isn't enough room for one right now.
I started asking questions on this board towards the end of the install when there were some problems. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge on these engines and other goodies!
On the way home:
02-01-2007, 10:37 PM
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who did your wiring harness?how much did it cost?i have a 87 transam with ls1 and t56.looking around on prices to splice the ls1 harness to the stock tpi harness.
02-01-2007, 10:45 PM
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Thanks guys! The harness was made by:
http://www.fuelinjection.com/
They were very knowledgable about the parts required and the harness was well labeled. About $1300.
BTW- the tach pic is me doing about 50mph, I still need to calibrate the speed-o!
http://www.fuelinjection.com/
They were very knowledgable about the parts required and the harness was well labeled. About $1300.
BTW- the tach pic is me doing about 50mph, I still need to calibrate the speed-o!
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02-03-2007, 03:44 PM
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Thanks guys, and yes it does feel good! 
The shop took pictures as they went along and I should get them this week, I'll post a few up later. Here's a pic of the car:
I've had it since '94 and it started life as a no-frills V6. This is what I've always wanted to do!
The shop took pictures as they went along and I should get them this week, I'll post a few up later. Here's a pic of the car:
I've had it since '94 and it started life as a no-frills V6. This is what I've always wanted to do!
02-06-2007, 11:56 PM
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Just a few more pics:
I finally got the fuel rail covers on. I had to use Corvette coil packs and the GTO covers required some cutting.
Here's the Hydraboost brakes and fuel lines:
The cold air intake:
I finally got the fuel rail covers on. I had to use Corvette coil packs and the GTO covers required some cutting.
Here's the Hydraboost brakes and fuel lines:
The cold air intake:
02-07-2007, 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by bczee
Nice job. What did u use for Motor Adapter plates and Oil pad mods if any ?
Almost everything on the car has been repaired or replaced over the past few years. It'll take all day to cover the parts, but here's the big stuff:
This thread started with the big mods I just did. It also has Baers 13in slotted and drilled rotors, front and back (front's 2 peice). All suspension parts are tubular steel with a mix of rubber and poly graphite bushings. Larger sway bars. Eibach progressive rate springs, although they always ride pretty hard (not much 'progressive' about them). Bilstein shocks and struts. Subframes and strut tower brace.
The intrior has been re-done as well. '99 Firebird front seats, GTA door panels, new center console and carpet. The seats, doors and dash were all covered with Ultra Leather (more durable but very soft still) with micro-fiber inserts. It has a charcoal and light gray mix inside. I just installed Auto meter gauges but I'm still working on a few aluminum peices to hold everything. The gauge plate, shifter plate and radio trim will all be black anodized aluminum; the gauges, shifter and steering wheel all have silver aluminum trim, so I'm just leaving a little silver as trim. I'll post pics when it's all done.
I'm pressed for time to get this stuff done because this last project took much longer than expected and I'm moving soon. I'll be taking the car to Germany and I can't wait to tear up the autobahn!
Last edited by a10beav; 02-08-2007 at 10:10 PM.
02-09-2007, 10:42 AM
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Gotta love those third gens!!! That looks awesome! Now lets get a movie clip! I wanna hear that bird roar!!!!! And that 76 Looks awesome!!! I'm loving how you have the airlid!!! That really looks factory!!! Like it belongs there!!
02-09-2007, 09:22 PM
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Do the Baers have a problem cracking? I know drilled rotors are a little weaker, but they still look pretty solid. If these crack too soon, I'll just get slotted rotors to replace them.
On another note, my intake tube is black now. I think it looks better with just the engine and radiator being black.
On another note, my intake tube is black now. I think it looks better with just the engine and radiator being black.
