what did you do to your firebird today?
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99'CajunFirehawk157 (12-28-2020)
10-23-2020, 01:50 PM
#3663
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (14)
HA I like the cut version better!
Just reminds me im probably gonna miss fall driving weather at this point.... not that I go may places these days im even working from home 3 days a week at least. I hate this year
Just reminds me im probably gonna miss fall driving weather at this point.... not that I go may places these days im even working from home 3 days a week at least. I hate this year
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99'CajunFirehawk157 (12-28-2020)
10-24-2020, 08:47 PM
#3665
Not my Firebird but for my Trans Am so... I found a wrecked 97 Firebird that was being parted out on Facebook and got the dash, had to pull it myself. Did my homework and watched the YouTubes of people pulling their dashes, just two decent ones with one glaring omission. They DID NOT discuss separating air vents and the lower structure brace. I had 3 hours and felt this was enough time. Got the A pillar and door jam trim off no problem (having a slim 90 degree ratchetted screwdriver was key as the battery was gone. Next I pulled the kick panels on both driver/passenger sides and dropped the steering column. The dash pad had a cap on it and this helped getting it out, the dash cap was thrown in so I have that now. Getting the gauge cluster out was easier than I thought but I found some screws not noted in the videos I saw. Getting the fuse box out was easy, the big dual umbilical block was a capital B due to the housing having (2) 7mm screws on the back side. And this is where it went SOUTH. The dash has 7 screws on the back side you HAVE to take off to separate it from the air ducting. Getting the bottom steel brace off was not fun, again a lot of 7mm screws accessible only from the back. I didn't know it was separate and was disconnecting everything, I have 10 min before I had to leave and well, it came out with a few love taps.
At home I started a light clean front and back and found the original dash pad clips, 2 screws I didn't find but the other side of what they were attached to broke, not the dash mounting points. I was able to get all the wires out without any issues and all the tracks and channels are intact without any fractures or cracks. The vinyl has 2 big crack on the top of the main instrument cluster and an indent made when I pulled it forward. I have the center and passenger air vents now too. Looking over the edges getting the old vinyl off should be pretty easy. The center cluster length will require a larger piece of vinyl than I originally thought. I will take measurements and see how big the sheet of vinyl will need to be. I hope the foam doesn't rip off too much because I have no idea how to apply the foam backing. I am hoping this will go pretty good and worse case, I will have an extra dash I can re-vinyl and sell or customize.
From taking this thing out I am NOT looking forward to doing the same to my dash and then putting this one in after the vinyl is done. What will make it easier, A) no time limit B) I can remove the seats and fully drop the column C) I can now identify what needs to be removed and NOT removed to get this back in. The climate controls had a cracked ear on the passenger side so it was easy enough to get out, nor sure about getting a good one back into it. So, morale of the story, pulling a dash, just for the dash face itself, is not as easy as they have on YouTube, there are about 12 to 14 more screws and a couple of nuts that have to come out. If you are deleting your heater box/AC well, it is a tad bit easier but the bottom steel brace is a major pain due to one of the computer's umbilical and airbag being attached to it. I wish I wasn't under a time crunch so I could have documented it with photos and video but realistically 3.5 hours would have been better, 4 to do it without forcing any wire connectors/brackets.
At home I started a light clean front and back and found the original dash pad clips, 2 screws I didn't find but the other side of what they were attached to broke, not the dash mounting points. I was able to get all the wires out without any issues and all the tracks and channels are intact without any fractures or cracks. The vinyl has 2 big crack on the top of the main instrument cluster and an indent made when I pulled it forward. I have the center and passenger air vents now too. Looking over the edges getting the old vinyl off should be pretty easy. The center cluster length will require a larger piece of vinyl than I originally thought. I will take measurements and see how big the sheet of vinyl will need to be. I hope the foam doesn't rip off too much because I have no idea how to apply the foam backing. I am hoping this will go pretty good and worse case, I will have an extra dash I can re-vinyl and sell or customize.
From taking this thing out I am NOT looking forward to doing the same to my dash and then putting this one in after the vinyl is done. What will make it easier, A) no time limit B) I can remove the seats and fully drop the column C) I can now identify what needs to be removed and NOT removed to get this back in. The climate controls had a cracked ear on the passenger side so it was easy enough to get out, nor sure about getting a good one back into it. So, morale of the story, pulling a dash, just for the dash face itself, is not as easy as they have on YouTube, there are about 12 to 14 more screws and a couple of nuts that have to come out. If you are deleting your heater box/AC well, it is a tad bit easier but the bottom steel brace is a major pain due to one of the computer's umbilical and airbag being attached to it. I wish I wasn't under a time crunch so I could have documented it with photos and video but realistically 3.5 hours would have been better, 4 to do it without forcing any wire connectors/brackets.
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ramairjohn2000 (10-25-2020)
10-24-2020, 10:24 PM
#3666
GMMG install I got the GMMG exhaust installed today, unfortunately they didn't have the corsa style tips I really wanted so will have to go back for those next week. But oh my goodness, the sound.... As I told my wife, it's a sound I never knew existed, yet I always wanted.... My son agrees. It's hard NOT to drive like a fool from every stoplight now!
The following 2 users liked this post by TXRoadrunner:
PeterGriffin (11-03-2020), ramairjohn2000 (10-25-2020)
10-25-2020, 05:35 PM
#3667
I got the GMMG exhaust installed today, unfortunately they didn't have the corsa style tips I really wanted so will have to go back for those next week. But oh my goodness, the sound.... As I told my wife, it's a sound I never knew existed, yet I always wanted.... My son agrees. It's hard NOT to drive like a fool from every stoplight now!
night night - sleep tight
10-27-2020, 02:35 PM
#3669
Recently bought a 30th TA vert this summer and re-covered all the leather and some mechanical stuff it needed, decided to do a fall photoshoot with my '96 WS6 before the weather gets nasty...
Link to Fall Photos
Here is the list of things I did over the last 3 months to the 30th with some pricing....
Parts Cost
---------------------------------------
Plugs, wires, coolant,
wipers, fuel filter $150.00
leather sun visor covers $37.80
strut tower bar $101.35
new leather seats $1,000.00
power steering pulley $65.10
PS removal/install kit $41.03
PS & Brake fluid, belts $54.42
Bluetooth radio transmitter $48.57
4 new tires $475.00
tire mount& balance $70.00
rear axle bump stops $106.70
K&N Filter $71.08
addtl key remote pad $22.00
2nd set of keys $13.94
Vehicle Manual (1999) $30.00
Skip Shift Eliminator $31.97
fixed cruise control $0.00
fixed unlock button $0.00
fixed power seat controls $0.00
Dif&Tranny Fluids, gasket, pump $99.61
seat belt stoppers $6.00
CRC MAF Cleaner $10.00
LED Fog Light bulbs $18.00
gas cap bumpers $19.00
arctic white touch up paint $15.00
Link to Fall Photos
Here is the list of things I did over the last 3 months to the 30th with some pricing....
Parts Cost
---------------------------------------
Plugs, wires, coolant,
wipers, fuel filter $150.00
leather sun visor covers $37.80
strut tower bar $101.35
new leather seats $1,000.00
power steering pulley $65.10
PS removal/install kit $41.03
PS & Brake fluid, belts $54.42
Bluetooth radio transmitter $48.57
4 new tires $475.00
tire mount& balance $70.00
rear axle bump stops $106.70
K&N Filter $71.08
addtl key remote pad $22.00
2nd set of keys $13.94
Vehicle Manual (1999) $30.00
Skip Shift Eliminator $31.97
fixed cruise control $0.00
fixed unlock button $0.00
fixed power seat controls $0.00
Dif&Tranny Fluids, gasket, pump $99.61
seat belt stoppers $6.00
CRC MAF Cleaner $10.00
LED Fog Light bulbs $18.00
gas cap bumpers $19.00
arctic white touch up paint $15.00
10-27-2020, 03:13 PM
#3670
Recently bought a 30th TA vert this summer and re-covered all the leather and some mechanical stuff it needed, decided to do a fall photoshoot with my '96 WS6 before the weather gets nasty...
Link to Fall Photos
Here is the list of things I did over the last 3 months to the 30th with some pricing....
Parts Cost
---------------------------------------
Plugs, wires, coolant,
wipers, fuel filter $150.00
leather sun visor covers $37.80
strut tower bar $101.35
new leather seats $1,000.00
power steering pulley $65.10
PS removal/install kit $41.03
PS & Brake fluid, belts $54.42
Bluetooth radio transmitter $48.57
4 new tires $475.00
tire mount& balance $70.00
rear axle bump stops $106.70
K&N Filter $71.08
addtl key remote pad $22.00
2nd set of keys $13.94
Vehicle Manual (1999) $30.00
Skip Shift Eliminator $31.97
fixed cruise control $0.00
fixed unlock button $0.00
fixed power seat controls $0.00
Dif&Tranny Fluids, gasket, pump $99.61
seat belt stoppers $6.00
CRC MAF Cleaner $10.00
LED Fog Light bulbs $18.00
gas cap bumpers $19.00
arctic white touch up paint $15.00
Link to Fall Photos
Here is the list of things I did over the last 3 months to the 30th with some pricing....
Parts Cost
---------------------------------------
Plugs, wires, coolant,
wipers, fuel filter $150.00
leather sun visor covers $37.80
strut tower bar $101.35
new leather seats $1,000.00
power steering pulley $65.10
PS removal/install kit $41.03
PS & Brake fluid, belts $54.42
Bluetooth radio transmitter $48.57
4 new tires $475.00
tire mount& balance $70.00
rear axle bump stops $106.70
K&N Filter $71.08
addtl key remote pad $22.00
2nd set of keys $13.94
Vehicle Manual (1999) $30.00
Skip Shift Eliminator $31.97
fixed cruise control $0.00
fixed unlock button $0.00
fixed power seat controls $0.00
Dif&Tranny Fluids, gasket, pump $99.61
seat belt stoppers $6.00
CRC MAF Cleaner $10.00
LED Fog Light bulbs $18.00
gas cap bumpers $19.00
arctic white touch up paint $15.00
I was surprised to see that you only paid $475 for 4 tires! What tires did you put on this car?
John
10-27-2020, 05:12 PM
#3672
10-29-2020, 07:00 AM
#3673
Didn't "do" anything in particular to her aside from driving her to the Delaware Water Gap two Sundays ago:
Triton V6 LED's going in soon, along with Lou's Short Stick. Then I may go Hinson.
Triton V6 LED's going in soon, along with Lou's Short Stick. Then I may go Hinson.
10-29-2020, 03:44 PM
#3674
TECH Fanatic
John R, you have two beautiful cars!
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JohnR (10-29-2020)
11-02-2020, 06:41 AM
#3676
About 15 years behind, but oh well...best 15min and $50 I spent so far - Lou's Short Stick on the factory Hurst:
Old one out:
Lou's Short Stick installed:
Old one out:
Lou's Short Stick installed:
11-02-2020, 02:14 PM
#3677
11-02-2020, 06:03 PM
#3678
Just finished installing strano springs and konis to replace my 15 year old bilsteins and hotchkis springs. Height looks the same but the ride and the handling along with my new Nittos omg hats off to Sam Strano. Felt so good even babying it with the rain and leaves that were out 😡🤬
11-02-2020, 08:22 PM
#3679
Just finished installing strano springs and konis to replace my 15 year old bilsteins and hotchkis springs. Height looks the same but the ride and the handling along with my new Nittos omg hats off to Sam Strano. Felt so good even babying it with the rain and leaves that were out 😡🤬
John
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ramairjohn2000 (11-02-2020)
11-03-2020, 06:50 AM
#3680
I wish i had taken comparison pictures of them next to each other, but I was in a rush and forgot to do so.
The change is significant. I would say it's shorter by at least a 1/4th or more than factory shifter. After I had installed the LSS, I took her to get a full tank of gas, and immediately noticed the difference. For $50 and 15min of your time, you can't go wrong.
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94_LT1_TransAm (11-03-2020)