Rise of the Phoenix, '96 Firebird Formula 6-speed Options

[Box]

Nice new boot!

Thanks! Now to figure out what to do with the rest of the microsuede since the boot only took a 15"x17" section out of a 36"x60" cut of fabric, was thinking maybe a boot for the emergency brake.

[Box]

Really not much more to say than new water pump, wooooooooo.


Was a pain but totally worth it, at least now I know my coolant and pump should be good for some time. That and the O.E. pump is just nicer than the one replaced even though they're both Delco; primarily the impeller bearing, smoother casting, and better machining of surfaces. Then again one would hope so since the O.E. pump is 3 times as much, but I lucked out and paid less than the new Delco Professional.

[Bitter]

So the Hella 4x6 H4 came today Box, I put one in after I de-fogged it with a hair dryer (cold outside, warm inside, fogged up in the box) and popped it in on the driver side...





WOW WOW WOW And only about 5 feet from the garage wall but there's a proper hot spot and proper tick to the right and a FLAT cutoff and the foreground is MUCH less and the high beam actually shifts high and cuts the foreground off. You NEED to get some for your Firebird, especially with the high wattage bulbs you'll really be stunned.

[Box]

Victory is mine! Pulled the A-pillar covers so I could slide the dash cap forward some, between that and packing tape on the edge along with the leather folder was able to get it into place. Anyhow going to let it sit in the sun and let that help form it some then will do some double sided tape around the defrost vent and front edge. Just need to order some double sided tape off Amazon since I must've run out, that's ok need some with high heat resistance anyway. Took two quick pictures to give an idea of the finished result:



Did end up being a tad lighter than expected, looked darker inside. Oh well, if anything it should keep it cooler inside.

[Bitter]

Too bad you couldn't just wrap the whole dash in the stuff.

[Box]

Before getting the cover I had contemplated wrapping the entire dash, but it'd be so hard to make it look nice doing it in the car without screwing something up. If it was a normal sized dash that'd be one thing.

[Box]

Double sided tape arrived in a humourously large box, doesn't grab as hard as some would have you believe or at least right after applying but it does have good grab though and did the job. Just finished taping down the edges, actually looks pretty good. Not bad at all for a cover anyway:





This post has been edited by Box: Nov 2, 2016 - 5:47 PM

[Bitter]

It's passable.

[Box]

Better than all the cracks I guess. Maybe after important stuff like all the suspension and brake upgrades I'll replace it, which at that rate might as well get the '97-99 for the revision in matching colour. Or could get any '97-02 and have it wrapped before putting it in, so then it's easier to find a replacement and wrapping it would keep it from cracking.

[Bitter]

Nah, leave it be. It's good nuff.

[Box]

Honestly probably will unless I find a replacement for stupid cheap, my whole thing is it's another old used dash that's not cracked YET. Someone makes a '97-02 reproduction cap from ABS, maybe if someone made a replacement main dash I'd be more inclined.

[Bitter]

I don't think you'd be happy until you made your own from dry CF or you found a new old stock virgin dash.

[Box]

I would say a nice crack free one re-wrapped in leather or microsuede, but even then I'd be worried about the brittle vinyl underneath cracking from heat and the adhesives. You're right though, that's about what it'd take to be 100% happy.

[Box]

HVAC and lightswitch didn't want to show up that well, but they're brighter in person. I guess since the gauges and radio are a fair bit brighter I'll have to sit down and mess with camera settings so it comes out ideal but these will do for now:

[Bitter]

Looks nice.

[Box]

Thanks, I'm glad I did it. A lot easier on my eyes than the red. I noticed the other night when I got out of the car my night vision was way better than I can recall it ever being getting out of a car.

[Bitter]

https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/forum/show...pop-up-retrofit

[Box]

I've thought about it some, outside of unobtanium NSX headlights the '94-96 Dodge Stealth lights are the next closest in terms of using something pre-made as a starting point. To do a fixed headlight the projectors will either have to be as far back as possible and probably raised above the hood, or cutouts in the nose cone will have to be made. If I were to seriously convert I need to do like he is and take measurements and do everything in CAD. If at all possible I'd like to not cut the nose cone or have lights raised above so at a glance nothing seems too different, but even with as long as the headlight doors are and as aggressive as the front end slope is I'm not sure if it's possible.

Also got a little better picture after trying a bunch of settings but still not a great representation, was out earlier and even with some daylight could see the light switch and HVAC fine whereas pictures would lead you to believe they're dim as crap:


This post has been edited by Box: Dec 4, 2016 - 7:22 PM

[Bitter]

Was talking about LED's over at HIDP forums and someone mentioned some of those cheap 5730 T10 like you bought and that every one they had went up in smoke within about 3 months.

[Box]

They're all sitting in a giant shipping envelope unused since I decided on doing the amber interior, only $1.30 shipped so no great loss. I guess if they ever do get used for something I'll keep an eye on them. Not sure but I think I might finally do exterior LEDs next, I mentioned to my brother figuring out what we'd both need since most of the cost is in shipping rather it's free or not but trying to collaborate with him is like trying to nail Jello to a tree.