41
Lobby / Re: Today I... "Redux Edition"
« Last post by scarebird on April 23, 2024, 09:51:30 AM »I wish local law enforcement would fine the %$# out of those lazy buggers who can't be arsed to use those covers.
For all Firebird - Trans Am Enthusiasts
News:
Recent Posts
42
Projects & Restorations / Re: Madaguy 1955 Nomad Build
« Last post by 5th T/A on April 23, 2024, 09:39:57 AM »Ryan, you sure have a knack for finding rare parts. Like a police dog that sniffs out drugs.
Front bumper makes a big difference.
I’ve seen/heard many times that tail pipes totally change the exhaust sound.
You’re fortunate to have a FIL to share your love of cars. Does your wife ever get jealous of the time you spend with him? Just kidding!
Front bumper makes a big difference.
I’ve seen/heard many times that tail pipes totally change the exhaust sound.
You’re fortunate to have a FIL to share your love of cars. Does your wife ever get jealous of the time you spend with him? Just kidding!
43
Mechanical / Re: Auto to manual swap question
« Last post by b_hill_86 on April 23, 2024, 08:43:07 AM »No kidding, nice pics!
44
Mechanical / Re: Auto to manual swap question
« Last post by Wallington on April 23, 2024, 07:57:20 AM »Can't do better than that,unless Willie also cuts the floor for you!
45
Mechanical / Re: Auto to manual swap question
« Last post by wheels78ta on April 23, 2024, 07:51:34 AM »Some measurements from the 4 speed hump
46
Lobby / Re: Current picture of your project or finished car.
« Last post by N PRGRES on April 23, 2024, 07:35:47 AM »I am usually disappointed in the post a picture of your car because most just aren't interested.In my opinion it gets more points for being a survivor
This is my original paint 1980 TA, in September it will be 45 years old. While far from perfect it still looks pretty good. No where near as nice as a modern paint job. To me it looks like it might have been buffed out once and the person with good intentions hurt it more than helped it.
It's probably 95% Done and probably will never be 100%. Last fall I did an AC compressor upgrade and due to some problems with the vendor sending the incorrect compressor, it was too cold to charge. Recently we had some nice days, I discovered the system was no longer holding a vacuum. Today I believe I fixed that problem but will wait a week or so to make sure it's still holding a vacuum before charging.IMG_3282 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
47
Projects & Restorations / Re: Madaguy 1955 Nomad Build
« Last post by ryeguy2006a on April 23, 2024, 07:02:02 AM »As I do every year as far back as I can remember, I've been going to the Spring Carlisle car show swap meet. It's normally a kick off for the spring, although now being further south it's actually less in bloom when I drive north to Carlisle. Plus we have the Cars and Coffee cruise in's all year round, but none the less I love going to see what all of the vendors have to offer. My father-in-law bought a 56 Belair Hardtop back in November last year so we made a plan that he would come with me this year. I had three major things that I wanted to get when I was down there; Liftgate garnish moulding, 1 remaining door panel stainless trim piece, and a Nomad roof section. I coordinated with 3 separate guys to meet me there with the parts since I didn't want to ship any of those parts. Two of the three vendors I was able to meet and purchase parts, but there was a misunderstanding and the guy with the door trim brought the wrong piece. There are two pieces of long trim that go on the top and bottom of the waffle insert. I needed the upper but he brought the lower... I was super bummed out because that was the only one that I was able to source. Nothing on forums, eBay, FB groups or FB marketplace...
Towards the end of the day we were walking past a vendor for AMD sheetmetal and he was selling a 1955 Nomad. As I'm checking it out, sure enough there's an old door panel in the back with the trim piece that I needed! So I humbly went over to the guy who owned the car, offered him a very generous price and asked multiple times if he would sell me the piece. He apologetically said no and said he would just like to keep it all together. I was super bummed out, but I figured it was worth a shot. Right about that time we went to grab lunch and shortly after it started raining. We agreed that it was time to leave, but we had to walk past that 55 Nomad and I thought what the heck, I'll ask one more time. He was busy with other customers, but once they moved on I approached him with a little smirk on my face and asked as nicely as I could one more time. He started to chuckle a little and said, "You know there's always one guy at these show's that gives me a hard time and today it's you! Let me see what piece of trim you are talking about." So I showed him what piece I needed and to my luck the other piece was missing, so it was already an incomplete set. After a little more back and forth he was able to pry it off and I couldn't take my money out quick enough. So stoked to have that piece!
The car was REALLY rough!
Here are the other parts that I picked up. Really stoked to have found a front bumper that matches my car with a bit of rust. The infamous piece of trim is in the middle, along with a liftgate garnish moulding and other misc. tailgate pieces.
I did a quick polish on it and this is where it will go. Just need to polish the rest of the trim and get it installed on the car!
The last tailgate bar to finish my set.
I bought some Nomad parts from a guy in NY when I was visiting last year, and I've kept in touch with the guy since he has 4 Nomad's! He met me at Carlisle and when I went to pay him GAVE me this roof section. He had two spare sections that came in a bunch of parts he bought and said if I can use it that he was happy. Thanks Tom. As nice as the metal is on this roof, I'd hate to see the condition that the car must have been in to give up these parts.
I didn't get many pictures from the show, but I did snag some pictures of this from a vendor. This is going to be one of the next upgrades that I'd like to do on my car, but I want to integrate the Gen6 Camaro 850 watt SPAL fan rather than the dual fans. I'll pick a radiator and work around that to build my structure.
We were beat by the time we got home, but had to at least see what the bumper looked like on the car. It's just sitting on that stool, but really changes the look of the car. So happy to have a complete front end.
While I had a second set of hands, my father in law helped me glue down the rear wheel well covers. This would have been very difficult to do by myself, especially making sure that the seam was straight. We glued down the middle section of the covers that have the straightest point to reference. That way I can come back later and pull it tight to get rid of wrinkles and that section will stay straight and I'll work off of that.
I'm really pleased with how they turned out.
We took the car out for another drive and it really is so nice that I can just turn the key and it fires right up. I'm very happy with my base tune so far. I need to smooth out my VE table and tweak some shift points, but otherwise I'm extremely happy with the way it performs. I posted after the first drive that I wasn't happy with the exhaust note, but the combination of sound deadener, more interior panels and the tail pipe has my mind changed. I'm very happy with the exhaust notes throughout the power band and it's quiet enough that I can have a comfortable conversation at 60 mph with my passengers. Just what I wanted.
Hoping to have my interior assembled and reinstalled over the next few weeks and then I can just enjoy driving it for the summer.
Cheers,
Ryan
Towards the end of the day we were walking past a vendor for AMD sheetmetal and he was selling a 1955 Nomad. As I'm checking it out, sure enough there's an old door panel in the back with the trim piece that I needed! So I humbly went over to the guy who owned the car, offered him a very generous price and asked multiple times if he would sell me the piece. He apologetically said no and said he would just like to keep it all together. I was super bummed out, but I figured it was worth a shot. Right about that time we went to grab lunch and shortly after it started raining. We agreed that it was time to leave, but we had to walk past that 55 Nomad and I thought what the heck, I'll ask one more time. He was busy with other customers, but once they moved on I approached him with a little smirk on my face and asked as nicely as I could one more time. He started to chuckle a little and said, "You know there's always one guy at these show's that gives me a hard time and today it's you! Let me see what piece of trim you are talking about." So I showed him what piece I needed and to my luck the other piece was missing, so it was already an incomplete set. After a little more back and forth he was able to pry it off and I couldn't take my money out quick enough. So stoked to have that piece!
The car was REALLY rough!
Here are the other parts that I picked up. Really stoked to have found a front bumper that matches my car with a bit of rust. The infamous piece of trim is in the middle, along with a liftgate garnish moulding and other misc. tailgate pieces.
I did a quick polish on it and this is where it will go. Just need to polish the rest of the trim and get it installed on the car!
The last tailgate bar to finish my set.
I bought some Nomad parts from a guy in NY when I was visiting last year, and I've kept in touch with the guy since he has 4 Nomad's! He met me at Carlisle and when I went to pay him GAVE me this roof section. He had two spare sections that came in a bunch of parts he bought and said if I can use it that he was happy. Thanks Tom. As nice as the metal is on this roof, I'd hate to see the condition that the car must have been in to give up these parts.
I didn't get many pictures from the show, but I did snag some pictures of this from a vendor. This is going to be one of the next upgrades that I'd like to do on my car, but I want to integrate the Gen6 Camaro 850 watt SPAL fan rather than the dual fans. I'll pick a radiator and work around that to build my structure.
We were beat by the time we got home, but had to at least see what the bumper looked like on the car. It's just sitting on that stool, but really changes the look of the car. So happy to have a complete front end.
While I had a second set of hands, my father in law helped me glue down the rear wheel well covers. This would have been very difficult to do by myself, especially making sure that the seam was straight. We glued down the middle section of the covers that have the straightest point to reference. That way I can come back later and pull it tight to get rid of wrinkles and that section will stay straight and I'll work off of that.
I'm really pleased with how they turned out.
We took the car out for another drive and it really is so nice that I can just turn the key and it fires right up. I'm very happy with my base tune so far. I need to smooth out my VE table and tweak some shift points, but otherwise I'm extremely happy with the way it performs. I posted after the first drive that I wasn't happy with the exhaust note, but the combination of sound deadener, more interior panels and the tail pipe has my mind changed. I'm very happy with the exhaust notes throughout the power band and it's quiet enough that I can have a comfortable conversation at 60 mph with my passengers. Just what I wanted.
Hoping to have my interior assembled and reinstalled over the next few weeks and then I can just enjoy driving it for the summer.
Cheers,
Ryan
48
Projects & Restorations / Re: My project
« Last post by roadking77 on April 23, 2024, 05:14:54 AM »Power to the starter is the positive from the battery and the purple wire from the ignition. Check your battery for enough current then if need be put a remote starter on the starter motor, if that spins then youre getting power to the starter.
49
Mechanical / Re: Auto to manual swap question
« Last post by roadking77 on April 23, 2024, 05:11:43 AM »With the t10 even with the handle off the linkage where it attaches is above the floor pan. Def needs cut to install. I will try to get some pics and measurements today sometime. I was too tired when I got home from work yesterday.
50
Lobby / Re: Today I... "Redux Edition"
« Last post by roadking77 on April 23, 2024, 05:08:20 AM »
20240419_121533 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
20240419_121523 by Kerry Grubb, on FlickrAnyone see these in their area? We have a quite a few quarry's in our county and the roads run rampant with dump trucks. Years ago a guy painted 'Stay back, this throws stones' now all most of the trucks put these stickers on. Not sure why it bothers me but a pet peeve of mine. If the loads are covered and the rear pan clean there shouldnt be a problem. I think its funny that they think a homemade sign absolves them from responsibility. No different than putting a sign on your car saying 'I drink and drive, stay clear!'
Sorry just a rant. AND I used to drive a dump truck.