9 Attachment(s) I just wanted to share my recently completed (for the moment) car. I want to get as much feedback and suggestions on what is already done, and what possible mods I can do in the future to improve my car! Here it goes... I'm the owner of a 2000 Pontiac Firebird. This was a factory 3.8l v6, with the y87 package. At the age of 16, I was eager to make it one nice f body. Attachment 419841 Attachment 419840 One of the first things I did, was fix the major body damages. The front bumper was COVERED in awful spidercracks. I sanded the bad spots down all the way to the plastic material, and had it re-sprayed. To this day it still looks perfect! I also had a new used rear bumper sprayed because of a big crack, and the side mirrors and headlight covers were sprayed. Attachment 419842 This is how the car looked after I finished my part of the bodywork! Attachment 419843 Attachment 419844 I also added a high rise spoiler Attachment 419845 This is pretty much how the car still sits today. Attachment 419851 I added drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads, and painted the calipers red for a nicer look behind the stock chrome 16" Attachment 419852 Attachment 419853 For the audio, it has factory replacement sail speakers, a kenwood deck, and 2 12" kicker CVR's powered by a 2000 watt amp. |
39 Attachment(s) Now for the major motor swap. On my 17th birthday I scraped up enough money to purchase a 5.3l Lm7 off Craigslist. It was a complete motor with 100k miles. Attachment 419854 Attachment 419857 Attachment 419856 Attachment 419858 Attachment 419859 Attachment 419860 It was pretty clean. I spent plenty of time cleaning everything that came off. Attachment 419861 I put in an 02-04 ls6 cam Attachment 419862 Attachment 419863 Attachment 419864 Attachment 419865 Nearly every gasket and seal was replaced with a gm part. Including valley cover grommets, oil restrictors, valve seals, and main seals. I added a ls2 timing set, a gm replacement oil pump, and ls7 lifters. Attachment 419866 Attachment 419867 Here is the motor upside down with the timing set, and then the oil pump, trimmed down 5.3 windage tray, ls1 pickup. Attachment 419868 Attachment 419869 Attachment 419870 The stock heads were milled .03 and cleaned up thoroughly. New ls6 valve springs and valve seals were installed. Attachment 419871 Attachment 419872 Attachment 419873 Attachment 419874 Attachment 419875 Here is the motor painted, and all the covers reinstalled with new seals and gaskets. Attachment 419876 Attachment 419877 Attachment 419878 New gm ls1 MLS head gaskets and ARP head bolts holt the heads on. Attachment 419886 Attachment 419884 Attachment 419885 I added a ls6 intake manifold, with a stock polished ls1 throttle body, ls1 fuel rails and fast 36 lb injectors. Attachment 419887 Attachment 419888 Attachment 419891 Attachment 419890 Attachment 419889 I hand polished the valve covers, water pump, thermostat housing and tensioner. It has 98-02 f body front accessories. Attachment 419892 Attachment 419893 Attachment 419894 I drilled and tapped a hole in the block for the alternator bracket. Attachment 419895 Attachment 419897 Attachment 419898 Attachment 419899 I've got a 2000 ls1 f body wiring harness and PCM for the motor. Also have ceramic coated pacesetter long tube headers. Here is the motor complete with vacuum and PCV lines, plugs, msd wires and truck coils. |
63 Attachment(s) Next up is the swap itself. It took three days in my driveway. Early morning to late at night each day with plenty of friends (which meant plenty of bs'ing) and plenty of breaks. The pictures are pretty self explanatory. Attachment 419906 Attachment 419907 Attachment 419908 Attachment 419909 Attachment 419910 Attachment 419911 Attachment 419912 Attachment 419913 Attachment 419914 Attachment 419923 Attachment 419918 Attachment 419916 Attachment 419915 Attachment 419917 Attachment 419920 Attachment 419919 Attachment 419921 Attachment 419922 Attachment 419934 Attachment 419935 Attachment 419936 Open long tube start up!! I also changed out the fuel pump for a Delphi v8 pump. I originally put in a walbro 255 but kept blowing the intank hose because I stupidly didn't add a return line. Here are a few pics of that nonsense. Attachment 419928 Attachment 419929 Attachment 419930 Attachment 419931 Attachment 419932 Attachment 419933 The motor runs great. The transmission I chose was a used 4l60e from a v8 fbody. And a used circle d 3500 converter. Both lasted a grand today of three days. The trans slipped in all gears and completely lost 3-4. The converter was sent off the be cleaned when it was discovered that it had absolutely no lock up left. The guys up at North Texas Converter hooked me up with a new converter that stalls at 2800. And it's purple, so your argument is invalid. Attachment 419938 Attachment 419940 Attachment 419941 Attachment 419939 I had a friend from another forum help me out with my 4l60e. SnIpEr should be on ls1tech too tho. He hooked me up with the good stuff. I will try my best with some of this stuff but transmissions are not my world. We did this whole build in two days, in my garage, with very little proper tools! Props to Stephen for getting it done! It's got a dual cage sprag, sonnax smart shell, high energy clutches and many cool parts... Lol. Enjoy some pics. Attachment 419942 Attachment 419943 Attachment 419944 Attachment 419945 Attachment 419946 Attachment 419947 Attachment 419948 Attachment 419949 Attachment 419950 Attachment 419951 Attachment 419952 Attachment 419953 Attachment 419955 Attachment 419956 Attachment 419957 Attachment 419958 Attachment 419959 Attachment 419960 Attachment 419962 Attachment 419963 Attachment 419964 Attachment 419965 Attachment 419966 Attachment 419967 Attachment 419968 Attachment 419969 Attachment 419971 Attachment 419972 The car is runnin flawlessly now. I got it tuned at LSX power tuning here in college station. It dynoed 309.8 rwhp and 318.4 rwftlbs. The car is running a TSP y pipe into a high flow cat, and 3" pipe to a crappy flowmaster that the v6 ran. I hope to gain another 15-20 hp from a cutout or magnaflow. Attachment 419973 Attachment 419974 Next on my list is suspension. I plan on: Bilestein shocks and struts Strano springs UMI sfc's Founders lca's and adj pan hard Strut tower brace Possible LCA relocation brackets New poly swaybar endlinks and bushings (ws6 bars) I added new moog front lower control arm bushings and balljoints during the swap already. Let me know any questions y'all have and ill gladly answer them, also let me know and suggestions on upgrades! |
I just finished installing a set of ws6 sway bars on my v6 with the poly bushings and endlinks, it's a WHOLE different car now compared to the 28/15 bars of the v6, totally night and day difference body roll was cut like in half, hell there is only a few curves where I can even notice it now but I suspect that will reduce further once i replace the stock front shocks. I got mine from seller "firehawkjeff" on ebay, if you combine the front and rear into one purchase and email him before paying he can modify the invoice to combine the shipping costs and save you like 20 bucks in shipping (I got both 32mm front and 19mm rear shipped for 95 bucks). |
Thanks! I'm watching a set of those on eBay right now. |
Came out awesome bro. |
Firehawkjeff rocks. I've gotten a lot of replacement parts from that seller on e-bay. Looks like a good project, what shape was the V6 in before you ripped it all out? |
Originally Posted by WarShrike
(Post 17725916)
Looks like a good project, what shape was the V6 in before you ripped it all out? |
Hell of a job for a 17 year old! |
Originally Posted by Nathan C
(Post 17727552)
Hell of a job for a 17 year old! At 19 I'm proud that I changed my own spark plugs :lol: Damn I got a lot to learn... |
Originally Posted by M4N14C
(Post 17727567)
+1 At 19 I'm proud that I changed my own spark plugs :lol: Damn I got a lot to learn... OP nice work, I have a magnaflow off my TA for sale if your interested |
Originally Posted by M4N14C
(Post 17727567)
+1 At 19 I'm proud that I changed my own spark plugs :lol: Damn I got a lot to learn... I've since progressed to doing everything from engine rebuilds to suspension work to electrical work, etc. Just read up a lot before you open it up and you'll be fine. If you hit a point that you don't understand or are frustrated with than just take a break and do some more reading or post a question. :thumb: To the OP: Fantastic job! I'm looking forward to more updates and pictures as your project progresses! |
[QUOTE=WarShrike;17725916]Firehawkjeff rocks. I've gotten a lot of replacement parts from that seller on e-bay. QUOTE] If I am not mistaken, Firehawkjeff used to have a place in south florida. I believe he has moved though. Great place, used to buy a ton of stuff from them. |
[QUOTE=Racer383;17729072]
Originally Posted by WarShrike
(Post 17725916)
Firehawkjeff rocks. I've gotten a lot of replacement parts from that seller on e-bay. QUOTE] If I am not mistaken, Firehawkjeff used to have a place in south florida. I believe he has moved though. Great place, used to buy a ton of stuff from them. |
That's awesome man, mad props to you!! She looks real good and I bet its alot more fun now eh |
3 Attachment(s) Thanks everybody! She's alot of fun now, got a written warning a few minutes ago to prove it lol. I've got alot of work to do on the suspension. Needs new everything so ill be saving for that. I'm already dreaming up a way to get the next horsepower boost. I'm thinking nitrous. |
real nice work sir. wish i could do that at 17. put some spray on it and have even more fun. |
Pretty cool! Nice job! |
Awesome build, car looks great! |
Thanks everyone. |
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