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THE LOBBY A gathering place. Introductions, sports, showin' off your ride, birthday-anniversary-milestone, achievements, family oriented humor. |
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#1
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Long Journey of 1970 Firebird Restoration
My father bought the 1970 Esprit new in May of 1970 when I was 15. I was able to buy it from him in 1974 and drove it until 1998. Ohio and Michigan salt ate up a lot of the body, but I was able to find a garage stored one in Texas as the new platform for restoration. Initial prep work on the body and the chassis rebuild was done in 2000-2004, then it went into storage for 14 years again. Finally locating a suitable shop in 2018, it was into paint where the Coronado Gold was nicely duplicated. A 4.25" stroker kit from Butler was ordered for the 350 block, 6X heads were added along with Comp roller rockers, Johnson Hyd roller lifters and a Comp XR276HR cam. Len Williams did the assembly work and the engine dynoed at Reher-Morrison. After Covid delays, work is finally underway again as the serpentine kit was installed and the engine/transmission put back in the car. It will be finished out as an Esprit again with a TA hood and HD suspension package for a 1976 model including the 3.23 posi rear axle. Completion hopefully in October.
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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to srmmmm For This Useful Post: | ||
#2
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Next set of photos.
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#3
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Hopefully looking close to original (except for that serpentine kit, of course).
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#4
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Nice work! That looks like it's going to be a blast to drive.
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Mike |
#5
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Congrats.....I know you are excited to get it drivable again.
Love the gold color....beautiful car! |
#6
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Congratulations, nice.
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#7
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Also like the gold. Nice work.
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#8
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Looks great!. My only comment would be that the TORKER intake is Taller than stock. There may be some aircleaner base issues, etc if you intend to have the shaker " shake" and fit correctly. Nice project! Thanks for posting!
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"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather |
#9
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Looking great!
I love the Coronado Gold!
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John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#10
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I ran it under the regular hood with about 3/4" clearance above the air cleaner lid. I'm hoping the TA hood has a bit more room.
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#11
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Really nice looking car! What CID is it now with the 4.25" crank in a 350 and what did it do on the dyno?
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Chris D 69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue T400, 9" w 3.50s, 3905lbs 461, 850 Holley, T2, KRE 310s, Comp HR288 w 165s, RA manifolds, 11.60@114, 1.58/60 The spare: 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w RA manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60' |
#12
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413 cu in. 9.13 to 1 comp ratio
442 lb ft @ 4300 rpm 453 hp @ 5600 rpm Sure, the 350 block is a small bore, but the big intake valve allows for a good cylinder fill. |
The Following User Says Thank You to srmmmm For This Useful Post: | ||
#13
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Very nice. I run a Torker 2 on my 76 T/A. I had to mod the air cleaner a bit to make it fit. Now that you put the T/A hood on it, I'd add the wheel and trunk spoilers for a T/A look. Just me though.
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68 Firebird. IA2 block, 505 cu in, SD Performance E-head, Solid roller 3600 weight. Reid TH400 4:11 gear. 29" slick. Best so far 9.95@134 mph. 1.43 60 ft. 76 Trans am, TKX .81 o/d, 3.73 Moser rearend, 468 with KRE D-ports, Doug headers, 3" Exh. |
#14
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Nice build!
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keith k 70 Trans Am RA III / T400 / Lucerne Blue / Bright Blue 70 Trans Am RA III / M20 / Lucerne Blue / Sandalwood 70 Formula RA III / M21 / Lucerne Blue / Bright Blue |
#15
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Thanks for posting! Are you in Oklahoma, Texas area?
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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... |
#16
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Impressive results on that engine build, pretty much doubled the original hp. Should be fun on the street
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Chris D 69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue T400, 9" w 3.50s, 3905lbs 461, 850 Holley, T2, KRE 310s, Comp HR288 w 165s, RA manifolds, 11.60@114, 1.58/60 The spare: 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w RA manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60' |
#17
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#18
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AC with manual brakes - not seen every day.
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#19
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My gold 1970 Firebird 350 is also AC with Manual brakes.
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Redline Design |
#20
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It's been a wait, but we finally have the engine fully installed, plumbed, wired running in the vehicle again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxDtH_76piU We'll see if it moves once the new driveshaft arrives! |
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