92 Firebird

[PolarBear]

So I bought this car back in December, I think. 1992 Firebird, V6, auto, One owner, 88,000 miles on the clock, It was an older woman that owned the car and she mostly just used it around town. It has a bunch of dents and dings all around, but a solid car overall, almost no rust on it. Lived in a garage for most of the time she owned it and it really shows. Relatively un-molested, except it has the fuel pump access hack, and I do mean hack. they didn't seal the hole well, the sheet metal used is not flat against the hole and some of the screws are missing



So far I had to change the rear shocks, hood struts, and the window motors. But now that I have gotten to drive it a little more, the front struts need to be changed and it seems like it needs a tune up or vacuum leak or something. Surges when it warms up at idle. I am going to change out all the vacuum hoses tonight. Hasn't been touched since 1999 and has a failed inspection sticker. Going to do cap, rotor, wires, plugs, oil change, trans filter, remainder of fluids, air and fuel filter next week and the front struts and lower control arms that I have with new ball joints and Global West Del-a-lums in them while I am at it since both of those may need a change too.
Tires on those wheels are pretty much shot so I have a set of GTA crosslace with good tires and are painted black in the centers, I am going to put those on this weekend. It is a shame, the current wheels are in really nice shape.

In the future plans are; Front brakes, change out the 10 bolt with drums for a 9 bolt with 12" discs, rear control arms, PHB, and subframe connectors. I basically have all of that already, so I just need to bolt it all on and weld in the SFC's

I also could not believe how fast the windows go up and down with new motors and re-greased tracks! I have NEVER seen a 3rd gen window move so fast Also not used to driving a car that is sooooo slow and one without the 3rd pedal. That is going to take a long time to get used to.

[WildBillyT]

Project baby Phil?

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Project baby Phil?

Lol, Phil actually is the one that found this car on Craigslist and mentioned it to me. We actually figured out the difference between his and mine, mine doesn't have cruise control, which is kind of unusual on a Firebird as best as I can tell. I wont be modding this one anywhere near the extent that Phil has done to his. Mostly going to be a daily driver. After I find an engine for the Camaro, that 4.8 will go into this car with a 6 speed. No plans for it after that except maybe carpet and seats, I hate the stock seats. Will put some 4th gens re-covered to match this color.

[Featherburner]

Looks better with the cover on.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by Featherburner

Looks better with the cover on.

[chrisfrom nj]

nice car

[TAdan]

Great looking bird. I've always been a fan of that Jamaica Yellow.

[greenformula92]

good looking bird. The windows do go fast with new motors and greased up tracks. Mine are pretty quick to

[PolarBear]

Changed the vacuum hoses this afternoon. As soon as I touched the brake hose it popped off, I guess that was part of my idle problem.

Phil also came over and helped me change the struts out. He was a big help, but he needs to bring a better impact next time lol.

Also got the black GTA wheels on tonight, but it was dark so no pictures. Car also had those crappy factory wheel locks. One was already rounded off so I had to use one of those left handed bolt/nut socket that bites into the metal to get it off. Those will all go in the trash, plus the remaining lug nuts since they were all junk now.

[greenformula92]

rockauto has the correct lugs and caps pretty cheap

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by greenformula92

rockauto has the correct lugs and caps pretty cheap

Thanks, I actually have different black lug nuts that I got with the GTA wheels

[deadtrend1]

If not I got a bunch too james

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by deadtrend1

If not I got a bunch too james

Thanks Tim

[PolarBear]

Here is a shot with the GTA wheels on it.


It has a lot of dings and scuffs on it. My uncle is going to buff it for me on Monday

[edpontiac91]

All in all, not a bad DD. That color was quite RARE, and any good Dent Wizard can remove small parking lot dings. You also have the Trans Am rocker panels and with those Black Trans Am wheels and a really good detail job, you could have an outstanding DD that will be an easy sell at any time in the future. LOL

[PolarBear]

Thanks Ed. To note though, a lot of base model firebirds in 91 and 92 got the aero package, so it's not really Trans Am specific

[WildBillyT]

So is this going to replace Project Kingsford or are you finally getting rid of that?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

So is this going to replace Project Kingsford or are you finally getting rid of that?

[//<86TA>\\]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Phil also came over and helped me change the struts out. He was a big help, but he needs to bring a better impact next time lol.

Hey, it worked a lot better than your impact.... it just needed an oiling

we need a picture of the twins once I get mine back together

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

So is this going to replace Project Kingsford or are you finally getting rid of that?

[1320B4U]

Nice man.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

So is this going to replace Project Kingsford or are you finally getting rid of that?

no.

[PolarBear]

Drove about 180 miles today. I forgot how much I enjoy driving a 3rd gen. Quick estimate says I got around 28 miles to the gallon too

[WildBillyT]

That's damn good!

Are you going to do a T5 swap for the time being?

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Are you going to do a T5 swap for the time being?

Ehh, if I found one easily I would do it, but the V6 trans, bell, clutch, PP etc are all different than the V8 stuff and not easy to come by. Took Phil quite a while to find his if I remember correctly.

Believe me, I cant stand driving automatic