Highway Wonderland, Come on Catch Me If You Can Options

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Sammy Hagar references out of the way I figured I should do a project thread for my newly acquired Firebird. Since I already posted pictures in the Today I... thread I'll just post the one plus one of the engine for the time being.



For those that didn't see in the other thread it has a 4-bolt main 350 and TH-350 from a '69 Chevelle. The 350 has been bored .40 over, heads worked and shaved for 12:1 compression ratio, 3/4 cam, and Edelbrock 750cfm carburetor & intake. The transmission was also gone through and refreshed as well. The car also has new brakes and suspension, for whatever that's worth. Actually I'm surprised at how well it drives, sure it's no modern sports car but for a 70's muscle car I'm actually kind of impressed. Pretty much the bulk of what's needed is interior and exterior cosmetic work.

As far as plans I'd like to finish up the exterior and interior as I go. Then engine is sorted as far as I'm concerned, just needs some headers and a full exhaust done along with a new air cleaner setup as you can see. Oh, and hook up A/C again. I'll just get a compressor and brackets from a same year Camaro. Would like to upgrade the brakes and suspension along with converting to a manual one of these days. This will be a car I intend to keep for pretty much forever as I've always wanted one and it was/is one of my realistic dream cars, along with the Corvette. In the coming days I'll be touching up a few things here and there not really worth writing about, i.e. replacing bulbs and wipers etc... I'll have to get some exhaust videos this weekend when I have some time and help available. I think that pretty much covers everything. It does need some tires soon, so also trying to decide on what to do there. I can stay with 15's but get some snowflakes, get some 16's from the 3rd gen GTA, or get some 17's from Year One rather they be snowflakes or something else. I am heavily considering up-sizing to help with steering and handling feel, get ride of some of the sidewall flex...

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Now when you go from park to drive or reverse it just takes off, still need to put the new plugs and wires in too. Decided to go with some NGK platinum plugs since the platinum is more resistant to fouling and misfiring, that and some Federal magnetic core wires. Also I put some 93 octane into it this time around and that seems to have helped as well. Once the temperature had increased it started to spark knock with the regular, which I was kind of surprised he said regular was fine but of course now I know as to why it was... I also readjusted the electric choke and now all you have to do is turn the key to on, pump the pedal once to pump in some fuel and set the choke and then you're good to go. Have some Castrol Edge 5W-30 to go in it as well, just need to find a good oil filter to go with it. Will do that along with the plugs etc... all at once. Still need to really figure out a better air filter setup, as going off CFM calculations for filters it's way too small. I found a setup from Spectre that has an aluminum plenum that attaches to the top of the carb, and has a 4" outlet that you can attach some piping to and run it out to the front of the car and use a cone filter. It reminds me of how the Chrysler TBI V8's were set up. I imagine it's a good deal better than the traditional open element filter. Once I decide on the rims I want and put some good rubber onto it I'll probably take it out and see what it'll do at the track. Really need to redo the exhaust too, stock manifolds with 1.75" piping isn't the best for a stock 350 much less a built one. Really thinking about finding a V6 5-speed 4th gen with a blown motor to buy for parts. Could use the brakes, transmission, and seats from it. Would even look into using the rear coil spring suspension to replace the leaf springs. That and if I found one with nice looking rims, could use those too I suppose, Just so many things that can be done, it's overwhelming really.