1971 Firebird front clip change - TA clone / NEED HELP!

[Bottom Feeder]

Hello. been a while.  I have a 1971 Firebird Espirit.  I sold the front clip in a weak moment and needed cash for another project.  So......I'm wanting to do a 71 Trans Am clone.  I found a 71 Firebird (plain jane) parts car.  The nose is good, radiator support is rotten, fenders are trashed.  So, I want to make sure I get this right.  This guy had some second gen stuff so here's what I bought.  Trans Am hood from a 1975, hood snorkel from 75.  Nose is factory 71 with lights, trim, valance, wiring harness, all complete with the bumper brackets. So I needed fenders and a core support.  This guy has a 1980 trans am with fenders and the factory core support in good condition.  I read on one thread all this will fit together to create a 71 T/A poser. I also read it won't.  He tells me the fenders will work for the 71 clone except I'll have to weld up the tabs on front to secure valance.  He also tells me the core support will work with this 71' nose.  He says I just need the wiring harness, hood latch, and core support midlle brace.  Is this correct? I need some advice please. THANKS!!! This car project is not to compete in shows with actual numbers,correct 71 TA's, just want it to fit together so to speak.

[Bottom Feeder]

Also, He says the 1980 core support is the same as a 1971 except the 80 bolts to subframe from top instead of bottom.  Also the top plate (trim piece on top). looks different?? What I don't get is why does reman companies sell core supports as 70-72,  73-76,  77-81.  Thanks

[tinpusher]

I put a 73 nose on a 74.  You do have to add an L bracket , post 73,  on the lower front edge of the fender to add support/ bolts to the front lower valance, very easy to do.

 The core support is very different , I can’t remember exactly, but I think the earlier years bolt to the bottom of the frame rails and …. I think…. 77-81 bolt to the top of the frame rails ( different mounting  bushings). My 74 core support bolts to the bottom and I did add additional cut-outs directly behind the lower parking lights for access to the bulbs. The front upper fender brace of the front nose bolts to the core support with some big looking donut bushings, my 74 core support has  the additional area for that bushing, I don’t think the later year core supports have it.

As far as the hood latch support, I was able to use my 74 with some slight modification, I know that the 73 was a one year only latch release.

[tinpusher]

Few pics of the lower fender supports and the nose to core support bushings pre 1973.

[Bottom Feeder]

Thank you sir!!