Topic: '79 10th Anniversary T/A "freshening up" started!

[Frode_skj]

thanks for the motivation! um yea, bone stock is boring for a '79 in my opinion. the cars LOOK like they should be quick but well, they aren't. my '06 silverado is faster than this car haha. prior to my business, i was a GM master tech for over 10 years. driving all those newer cars that had tons of power made me jealous! i wanna be able to make the guy in the new mustang or 'vette jealous

I think all the Firebirds from 70-81 looks quick, the greatest looking cars ever Just look at the Burt Reynolds Trans Am, that thing looks fast and IS fast, although it may not be put back to stock Maybe you should get some silver Snowflakes billet wheels for the car? That would look awesome

[Frode_skj]

I actually prefer the 77-78 front end, and would love to build a pro-touring Trans Am with the 77-78 look Maybe with an all aluminum engine from Butler Performance and a complete DSE suspension?

[SnapOnBilly]

agreed... love to see these cars slammed to the ground w/ huge rubber...they already look mean in stock form...the protour look puts em over the top.   keep the pics comming                       did you ever get w/ dave @protouringfbody?  he can make it happen

i sure didn't. i kinda jumped the gun before i joined here and bought all my suspension stuff from Global West. it won't be slammed to the ground, the rear will be lowered 1 1/4", and the front is adjustable with the coil-overs. so i'll make it match the rear

[SnapOnBilly]

I think all the Firebirds from 70-81 looks quick, the greatest looking cars ever Just look at the Burt Reynolds Trans Am, that thing looks fast and IS fast, although it may not be put back to stock Maybe you should get some silver Snowflakes billet wheels for the car? That would look awesome
[/quote]
i looked at those. they do look good, but Year One isn't very helpful when it comes to answering questions. i don't know how snowflakes would look on a TATA though...

[rad400]

Billy I like what you are doing to the car, I think it is way cool so good luck.

[jphillips3333]

 ... it's a nail biter for me but you're the master tech

[SnapOnBilly]

Billy I like what you are doing to the car, I think it is way cool so good luck.

  thanks for the kind words

[SnapOnBilly]

something else i should mention here: i'm not going to make some radically outrageous street rod. i'm basically doing what i think the factory should've done. i want the car to have a factory "look" if that helps. for example- i'm keeping leaf springs in the rear, plan to keep all the factory accessories under the hood, etc. i'm even gonna leave the OE digital 8 track in the dash! in fact the only change that will be noticable will be the new wheels that i pick out- until it starts up 

[SnapOnBilly]

   i was feeling like i got a second wind this evening after work, so here's what i did...

i wish this thing didn't come with A/C. it would be so much cleaner...







RULE #1: DO NOT scratch the tool box!

...and i had to mention my pretty boy who sat there the WHOLE time and kept me company

[Frode_skj]

I really agree with you on keeping the original look:) These cars look great without any modification, but could use some more performance

[SnapOnBilly]

here's what i did last night...



it's coming apart very smoothly, no real problems so far. thankfully it was garage kept all its life, so no real rust or stuck bolts i've had to deal as of yet...

[SnapOnBilly]

   hey guys, just wanted to let everyone know, i had a hard drive failure last week. in the process of getting all my programs loaded back on here, so i'll get more pics up soon. i've still been working on the car despite the computer being down. got the engine and trans out of the car at this point...

[rad400]

Cool Billy good progress.

[SnapOnBilly]

...and she's coming out



the trans was a PITA to get out without a lift (and a helper)

as she sits now. next i'll be working on getting the frame off, then sent out for stripping. once thats done i can start working on the rebuilding of the front suspension and new brakes... more to come...

[SnapOnBilly]

Cool Billy good progress.

thanks my friend!