Words: Tommy Parry Images: Joe
With a comprehensive overhaul including a built LS3, a Tremec transmission, revised suspension, big Wilwood six-pistons and huge tires all around, there’s no question that Joe, the owner of this outrageous muscle car, has his sights set on setting lap times that will cause the average Porsche driver to blush.
With the list of modifications made to this gorgeous machine, it’s hard to fathom that Joe also moved into a new house and got married during the build process. Some people just thrive with a full plate, however, which is probably why this car turned out so well.
Joe was committed to getting the best parts available for the purposes of road course carving. Texas Speed provided a mildly-tuned LS3 that puts out 570 American horses, and complementing the hefty powerplant is a custom T56 package that includes a shortened first gear, a Tilton throwout bearing kit and a quick shifter. Adorning the motor is a Holley 302-2 pan, 1 7/8″ coated headers and Prothane mounts for motor and transmission. That amount of power would give this Firebird the sort of grunt that Trans-Am racers of yesteryear enjoyed, thereby doing the name some justice.
The first cosmetic change came in the shape of a set of Vintage Wheel Works V40s measuring 18×9.5″ and 18×11″. With a new set of stylish but understated shoes chosen, and a set of Wilwood six-piston brakes ready to be tacked on, Joe could turn his attention to getting the suspension sorted – first by installing a RideTech front suspension and TruTurn steering arm mounts. Then Joe trimmed a little off of the front subframe cross member for Muscle Bar clearance and cleaned his hands proudly.
More than a straightline dragster, Joe made some real strides towards turning his Firebird into a bonafide track tool. Next came a ten-point cage and a set of sticky Toyo R888s, which just barely fit within the wheel wells. A healthy 1.3* of negative camber and some fender tweaking were needed to get the tires snug inside the wells, and the finished stance is pure olympic athlete.
After a month of measuring, scouring for the correct information on chassis setup and scratching his head in disbelief, he made the first significant moves regarding the installation of the rear end. With a pair of bottle jacks for stabilizing the rear end and plenty of hammering, he gave the Firebird the articulation it deserved in the form of a four-link. Even better: It would soon be home to a Strange S60 rear.
With the rear Muscle Bar in place, Joe could install his Vapor Works tank with a ZL-1 pump installed and plumbed. Thanks to a lift, the monstrous tank was easily lifted into place. At the other end of the car, to help facilitate airflow through the radiator, Joe welded up as many holes as possible in the radiator support and filled in the two short sections of the opening lip. This opened up the radiator aperture almost 4″, and now the complete front of the C&R radiator sees significant airflow to keep the mill cool on track days.
With the cooling, propulsion, handling, braking and some of the stylistic points taken care of, Joe could focus on turning the Firebird’s cabin into a racing cockpit. Sparco Pro2000 seats, a Sparco steering wheel with quick release and Simpson 6-point belts did the restraining. For better posture, he added a GM tilt column, a DES rag joint, an NRG short hub and a removable steering wheel adapter. With an Accusump mounted under the custom dash, and a RacePak system relaying all the pertinent dates, even the diehard road racers would respect the lengths to which Joe took this build.
It took nearly 8 years, but this monstrous Firebird is finally back on the road, and Joe drove his maiden fifty miles with a fire extinguisher as a copilot. A few aero tweaks are in store, but for now, this focused build is largely complete and ready to turn both heads and quick laps.
