The ’69 Firebird 400 convertible takes its first steps toward becoming a Trans Am tribute car. Rick and Brent take it for a pre-build test drive, then tear it apart, bolt in the new subframe, and mock-up the drivetrain.
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PARTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
Chevrolet Performance: LS series small block 7.0 liter 505 hp and 470 ft/lb torque.
Detroit Speed & Engineering: Hydroformed front frame rails, stamped crossmembers, tubular control arms, power rack and pinion, splined sway bar, C6 steering knuckles, complete with shocks and 450 lb. springs, powdercoated and fully assembled.
Doug’s Headers: Header set for ’67-’69 F-Body LS Swap, Ceramic Coated.
TCI Automotive: 4L60E Super Street Fighter with LS bell-housing, 10″ torque convertor, locking dipstick, performance cooler, TCU and wiring harness.
Stopped watching as soon as I saw that a Pontiac engine wasn't going back in the car……..
And the idiocy continues on this show. factory 400 convertible and these disrespectful clown chanics abuse it overheating it, possibly damaging the original engine, then they put modern LS chevrolet in it man no gearhead is liking this build at all. Car could have been so much better restored back to what it was instead of a trans-am converti-fake clone mobile. Classic Pontiacs need Pontiac engines , Classic Chevrolets need Chevrolet engines, Classic Buicks need Buick engines Classic Oldsmobile's need Olds power. This whole build is a shame. I know it's been years since this was done but it still stings even now.
I miss this car. Loved this entire build…
They are on drugs or something constantly laughing, I had to stop the video and move on to another video.
… I can't even watch it – Personal dilemma ! I've lived first Gen Firebird's for 43 years. I owned a 1969 Tran Am RAIII, 4-Spd 1988-1996. They only made 697 Period ! Only 8 were birthed convertibles Period ! next to those original greats are the 400's that became the Formula program in the 70's — If you are going to Rape and Pillage and do these goofy "Tribute" or "Clone" (Stolen Glory) than use the less significant Base cars…
Leave the Original VIN-Stamped- PHS Documented cars as their original glories ( I get it — YOU own it; it's yours to do what you want — HOWEVER; most of the car-community realizes that with Ownership comes a certain amount of culture-RESPONSIBILITY ) The very reason I sold my '69 T/A and got a Roached-70-Esprit is because it is freedom from Museum Piece Authenticity Code of Honor. Just my 20 cents worth …
You dirt bags …. I hate when people put a Chevy motor in a Pontiac…. You don't see and Big Chief run Chevy motors he's all Pontiac and you cannot beat him….
Only dumbshits put anything other than a real Pontiac engine in these cars. And thier chevy powered shit gets outrun by real Pontiac engine powered cars
A guy I worked with one time told me that the definition of a bastard is a Chevy motor in a Pontiac
what a few idiots.. that car was decent and they could have made a 350 car into a clone instead they turned a classic into a clown… dont get me wrong but.. an orig 400 convert is cooler than the copycat crap they built.. should have put money to make it orig! They act like idiots! who chose the spokesman he sounds horrible! lol
sell me those wheels
Keep the og 400 and bore it out and throw a cam so big that it can barely idle. Heads, cam, intake, high comp pistons, maybe a stroker, 750 double pumper. Convert it to 5 speed and go with a built 8.8 or a 12 bolt. Clutch, flywheel, short shifter, ect.
Convert it to coilovers or a good shocks/springs. All the suspension shit. Sway bars, control arms, strut bars f&r. Make it handle well, but not such a horrible ride that it would rattle your balls off. Also would do some forgestar 18×8.5 f 18×11 in the rear with r888
These are old shows popping up now. Always wondered why these talented guys stay a year or less and some more but they all leave this network sooner or later. Would like to hear the inside story from former techs that left! Joe Elmore probably stayed the longest of the bunch.
Hope your not gonna ruin the looke of this car with those ugly wagon wheels and thin tires on it.
UNSUBSCRIBED and deleted off favorites list!
Gotta agree with all the engine comments. Should have used a bored and stroked 400 with aluminum heads and a roller cam.
LS motors are getting played out and it's nice to see original non-Chevy motors from back in the day when there was such a thing.
Putting another LS swap is akin to building nothing but 69 Camaros on every episode.
DANG DANG DANG… that 400 ragtop in dark blue is one of my two or three all time dream cars. The 69 'bird was just about the best looking thing ever to come out of a GM plant.
Do you guys ever plan to do a fourth gen Firebird trans am
I know where one sits. Been sitting for decades. Asked to buy it. Told her to name a price. She is in her 80’s… she told me she was going to have it built. I was mowing her place because she didn’t have a mower that works . Yep she’s going to build it smh 🤦♂️
Hi bro.i am ur fan ever.still I am unable to watch any project episode fully.please send link i want to see.rhanks
pontiac was more beautifull than mustang camaro or charger
Pulling a poncho 400 for a bow tie is just wrong (and 69’s didn’t have a roll bar) very disappointing
This is a 100kplus build and it’s destroyed know
"Check out this killer vintage blah blah blah… BUT we're gonna cut All of the heart & soul and history out of it useing lower quality repop parts and BLOW the budget sky-hi. You can't POSSIBLY afford this, next on bullshit garage"
Blasphemy. LS7 doesn’t belong in that car. It is a Government Motors engine NOT a true General Motors Pontiac Engine. Only Idiots can think about is to throw an LS into anything. Why didn’t they just build the 400 and have a t56 combo instead of that spectre intake LS crap?! “They sure carved that bird up” yea literally butchered it! Ever heard of BUTLER Performance, Rock and Roll Engineering, or Pontiac Engines.com? Thought this show was Musclecar?
hell yeah!
i build these things, and how did you align the doors to the quarters before you took the bumper off?. its almost certain that the hinges are toast. i wouldnt think year one would do a buget build
Front end of 67 68 is so much better looking. Full perimeter bumber.
Aww man sweet car! But….. I've been a hard top guy, regardless of make and model. Still an awesome car though! Can't wait to see what you fellas do with it! Have fun my dudes
I would have kept the Pontiac motor
Should be called:
PLUCKING THE BIRD
500 hp,470 trq.? That was the big improvement over a pontiac motor? My 455 is all stock except for a cam and ported factory steel pontiac heads. Made 490 hp/570 trq . with ease. People can do what they want with their cars but IMO they screwed it up. Fairly rare car thats very desireable that should be restored and not resto modded with big goofy rims. Keep the original parts so the car could be saved from this butchery.
Why don’t they vehicles like that for people properly restore them. Just buy all of the body parts and build a damn new car.
I'm sure guys weren't able to simply move the transmission cross member. So, you had to cut and reweld it. I'd like to see why this was the case.
Another LS swap….sucks. should have kept the 400
I gotta say, "I'd prefer the original stock Firebird". Keep it original.
The craziest thing I saw was a guy in Alaska changed a 1969 Firebird into a Camaro! Holy crap! Everybody has a Camaro.