Start of a car
 

The old saying about a "journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step" is finally about to become our motto. This past weekend, the 1979 Firebird finally came into our official possession. Now the work really begins.

I know we've batted around the merits of buy versus build and debated cost as well. Be all that as it may, this is going to be done. Here is my game plan.

I'm going to pull the doghouse. Then clean and paint the front end. Rebuild it with a bunch of Global West parts. In addition add a set of Moroso front springs. While I'm doing this, be a good time to put aluminum bushings under the body.

Next step, put in subframe connectors and add an 8 point roll bar. Then a set of Cal-Tracs and split mono leafs. Rebuild the 10 bolt rear end with a good spool, axles, gear and a girdle or cover. Rebuild the brakes front and rear. Add shocks. A fuel cell, plumb and wire everything. Put a drivetrain in and we're ready to go.

Sounds easy, I know it will be alot more involved. Hopefully the day will come when I can show up at a race and not just be another message board warrior. If anyone has any advise or alternatives, I'm open to listen.

Robert Swartz

Re: Start of a car
 

take lotso pitchers.......

i'll be watching and asking questions (if you don't mind)

i'm collecting parts for a stock stick rambler.....

Re: Start of a car
 

Looking forward to following your progress. I enjoyed when the Parker Stocker Camaro was built and the details and pics were posted on their site. That car turned out really well . It is a late 70's F body as well.

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When I bought my 67 Firebird back in 1986, it started out to be a S/ST car. My brother ( Derek Clark S/G 174 ) was a big help in building the car which I still have today, but due to things that happen in life, its a street car now. Build it your way, take pride that you did it your way and built it from the ground up. A lot of money and time yes, but its yours.

Re: Start of a car
 

Good luck on your journey mine started on Feb 10,2006.I am walking down the last couple of miles.It was a lot of fun and I would do it again.Just listen to every one's advice and use what best fits you needs.

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congratulations on a project to focus on. its fun to build, frustrating when it doesnt work, but a real rush when it does start to work. im still pretty green in my adventure in stock eliminator, but lovin the 'cheap class racin' you will too

Re: Start of a car
 

Good luck, Robert.
What engine combo are you going to be using?

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Now that sounds cool.

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Yes,take pictures of everything. You will not regret it. I did mine twenty years ago & took a few pictures with my instamatic but not nearly enough. My Nikon D60 seems to have a better memory than me & wish they were available then. Fortunately I have one now to follow doing my project again this time.
Plan to spend a BIT more than you are thinking you will now.. There always seems to be something else to buy you had not figured in.
I look at it this way. Just as well to throw it into the car. At least you have an investment when its done.

Allan

Re: Start of a car
 

Yes lots of pictures, can't have too many.

Cost of doing it?? Always more than you planned. I just got my Duster back from the
chassis shop and 8 point roll bar, back seat firewall, frame connectors and a "few"
other items I added along the way sent my bill up about $1000.00 over my original
estimate. Did I complain....NO, was I happy with the workmanship....YES!!!!!

Cheaper to buy a turn key car? Probably, but I bought a car that "ran", but had been
sitting for many years and needed lots of updating.....fuel system, brakes, the roll
bar just to name a few.

Did I have the $$$ to buy a true turn key race car....No. But the build is part of the fun.

Just my $0.02 cents.

Re: Start of a car
 

Mark,

I'm going to build a 350 330 hp (340 hp IHRA) crate motor. I've pulled all the specs from the IHRA guide. I also spent the better part of an afternoon last fall with a man named Larry Deacon at a combo race at Ohio Valley in Louisville,Kentucky. He runs a similar combination, a 77 Camaro in G/CM. He gave me a good amount of information. His combination was running 7.0's on a 7.60 (1/8 mile) index. He also told me to feel free to contact him once we get the car underway.

I know people that I can trust to do blocks, cranks and rods locally (Indianapolis area). My biggest concern is finding someone that can do stocker heads? My last experience with stockers were in the 70's. Through reading both the NHRA and IHRA rulebooks, in addition to reading many of the threads thru this forum, it's has changed light years from my day.

For the moment, my main concentration will be to get the body and chassis under control. I have or have access to welders, torches, and most anything in the way of tools. We're going to do most of the work ourselves. I agree that this will cost alot more than I envision.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement, to the guy building the Rambler, I hope our paths cross someday, I want to see that car!

Robert Swartz

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Any links to their site? came up blank on google

Re: Start of a car
 

Robert the good thing about building your own car is that you get to do it like you want. Parsons and Myers in Dayton woould be an excellent choice for your stocker heads.

Re: Start of a car
 

Robert,

I have a set of IHRA legal, 330 horse heads done by Bruce Parsons. [Parsons and Meyers Racing Engines] Bruce bought new, GM castings then performed a complete stocker prep. He ran these heads on his personal Crate Motor Camaro, they when as fast as 10.70's. The heads are fresh from Bruce, ready to be installed. Included is the intake matched to the combination and a set of new, GM self-aligning rockers.

The price is $1120.00 plus shipping.

If you are interested, let me know. I can provide more info and can put you in touch with Bruce to verify the facts.

Larry Woodfin
Kilgore TX
903-983-2277 shop
903-985-1162 cell

Re: Start of a car
 

Good luck with your build. I always enjoyed doing as much work as I could and still do.

Money: Figure out how much you want to spend........then double it!