Orinackra

well I always liked the formy bumpers better, with the holes up front. I had a busted TA front bumper that I attempted to cut the holes out, and that didnt work. So I think this time I'm gonna rip the gfx extensions off that old bumper and try to mount them onto the new bumper and smooth it all out, effectively giving me a formula-style bumper with gfx. I hope.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

ok, back for a mini update. So far i've picked up a couple of things, small little detailing things, like covers, caps, and a 4 piece spoiler setup for the radiator flap underneath. On to some big things, i just picked up a 1999 rear axle with the LS1 disk brakes. Picked up the '99s booster, master cylinder, and proportioning valve so the entire brake system is new. Re-did or replaced everything on the fuel system, got that all set up. Replaced most of the rear suspension and still have to do shocks on the front. Working on a couple of glitches that my ECU/wiring has with a couple of bad signal wires going to the ECU. By this friday, i'm hoping that i can get the rear axle on the car to pull it out and i have all next week to do body prep for paint because i'm off for break. From there I'm going to just need one good weathered 4 day weekend and i will be shooting a coat of paint. Decided i'm going to go with the Gunmetal Metallic (base coat/clear coat), going to re-finish the rims using the gun metal inside the spokes possibly, haven't decided on that.

I was thinking a little beyond paint...i was thinking about tinting the side marker lights, and probably the front, as far as the tail lights, i was thinking about tinting everything but the back-up lights. I do a lot of night driving and i would like to be able to see...ya know? Not to mention i don't know legality wise in New York what they think of the idea. I was wondering if anyone out there has pics of that. I picked up a 91 formula car model to mimic my car, and on the box it shows blacking everything out but the back-up lights. Was wondering if anyone has done it in real life and have pics or have seen pics of it done that you can refer me to. Also what spray on product do you suggest. I've heard of the use of spray on product for this use, but haven't seen the actual product. Anyone know??

Also i've been thinking about dying my interior plastics to a 98-02 f-body style with the "ebony" dark gray interior. Was wondering, i've read about using fusion paint, and if i remember correctly, to use a satin finish so it's not obnoxiously shiny, but do they make such a color in that product? Where can i go to get a decent selection? I can't remember seeing it in advanced auto while i was there, and the last time i went to car quest, they charged me $15 for a can of etching primer...went to napa and got a can for $3-5. So i'm not terribly impressed with car quest. Any suggestions and tips would be appreciated!!! Thanks!

rwdtech

so you want to paint the factory dash a grey color? what is wrong with black?

84redta

iTrader: (34)

idk, i did one panel with black, curious to see a dark gray...different...a little extra effort for the details, and the fact that i have a 4th gen (98-02) center console, 4th gen seats, trying to go with the colors i'm ending up with using these pieces. Basically just looking at options.

And i want dash and almost all interior plastics to match. Trying to two tone, going to have a black dash pad, black windshield pillar trim/t-top trim. Black seat belts. Just trying to see dark gray. I like the 4th gen interior colors. I think it would be over poweringly black if i did everything like that. Just seeing if there is a local store that i might be able to get supplies and check out color selection at.

It would be purely a detail thing, something i would know, but noone would outright probably notice.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I blacked out my tail lights completely. You can see the reverse lights good also. It sot a total of around 25 or so. I will take a picture with the reverse lights on for you in a few days.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

that would be great, thank you. How is the light spread at night? And are those the GTS black outs or whatever company it is? Just wondering.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Actually, I sprayed them myself. You can see them a lot better during the night though, and you can see them decently during the day.

ElcoTransAM

I liked what you have done with the taillights on your formula. The tail lights on those things is the only thing that has really prevented me and looking into buying a formula. Those factory taillights are just so darn hideous. Big improvement if you ask me. Big Ups!

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Bullydawg, what product did you use for those tail lights. They look phenominal, so perfect i thoght it was the GTS covers, lol.

If you can snap one night shot that would be great. Also curious how many coats did you use and any other differences in prepping your taillights other than what the can called for?

rwdtech

any new pics?

Orinackra

looks like VHT niteshades to me. I did that to my old car's lights, to get that darkness, you need appx 3 coats. At least thats what I used I "think". I also put several coats of clear on mine.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

no new pics at the moment unless anyone would like to see the 4th gen PBR disk (LS1) rear axle i bought, lol. Thats the newest edition, getting that on the car probably tomorrow so i can roll the car around and start body prep as i'm off this week for break, i got a set of doors that i need to fill in ground effects holes, and fill in the mirror holes, and then mount on the car, and then it's just prep the entire body for the most part for all of it to come together in the next 3-4 weekends. I planned my college this semestor to have 3 days of classes, tuesdays, wednesdays, and thursdays, so i have 4 day weekends, so once the nice weather stops d!cking around and actually decides that it would like to be nice for all of us 3rd genners to enjoy is when i can get paint down on the body, and start re-assembling the interior.

Thank you orinackra...where can i get that stuff, how many cans did it take, and anything to consider? any regrets? Thanks again!

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Cool, Glad you guys like them. I did 3 coats. I really like the way they turned out. I did mess up once. I have one run. So I sanded it smooth, but it still shows. They still look good though.

The How To:
1. Take off Tail lights.
2. Wet sand them with 1500 grit wet and dry until they have a foggy appearance.
3. Spray 1 Coat.
4. Spray another coat.
5. Spray another coat.
6. Spray as many coats as you would like.
Be careful when you spray them. It is nothing like regular spray paint, it is a lot more liquidy. So make sure you do quick sprays.

I used 1/3 a can. The can was around $20 though. I bought it at contagious motor sports. Any tuner shops should have it. Autozone, Pepboys, and Kragens dont carry it...I tried haha

84redta

iTrader: (34)

i was hoping something local would carry it, looks like i'm going to have to keep my eyes open next time i go to albany. Great to hear 1/3 of a can though, as i'd like to do the side markers and possibly the front. My only hesitation is what state inspection is going to do about them, if they'll throw a fit or not. I got an entire spare set of external lights from a car i parted out so ultimately i can swap them all out, but that would be too tedious for a yearly thing.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Haha, I have a perfect set of Stock tail lights for my car I can through on. They are just sitting under my bed. I got a set of clear side markers with orange bulbs, Because the orange looked ugly on my white formula. I have been thinking of blacking out the front Turn signals next to the head lights though, so during the day, it looks like the black head light part and turn signals are one piece.
----------
I could buy you paint and ship it to you if you pay for the paint + shipping. Let me know if you are interested.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

i will definally keep that in mind, and i thank you for that. I will check locally if i can't find it. I mean it has to be out there. Still got like 5 weeks or so till i'm doing the final touches so i will keep in contact if i run into issues, not to mention i need to save a bit more money so i can get the paint.

I'm going to be painting the car the Gunmetal Metallic offered in 88, so i think that the black outs all around would look great.

Either of you...hows the reverse light spread at night?? Can you easily use the sideview mirrors still? And are you easily visible to other drivers...so not to be a hazzard?

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

At night they are very visible. I dont know during the day because the fuse for my Tail lights, Dash Lights, and Flashers has a short. But when you turn on the head lights, you get a dim light during the day. It is very noticeable during the night though.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

ok that was my biggest concern with three coats as it looks hard to see at night. Do you have to do consecutive coats or can you try two and if you don't like it add a third? Just curious as i see 3 coats is pretty consistant among people who have done it.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I am sure you could, I would just do some more wet sanding if you are going to add any more coats. If you are planning on polishing them, plan on going 1 shade too dark. The polisher with make it glossy and 1 coat lighter.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

polishing them how? i know how to polish just the tail lights, read the tech article, but are you suggesting doing the same routine ontop of the tint?? I'm in a thread right now where someone used clear over i don't know how many coats. Looks really nice, should still be fresh under new threads as "Tinted my Tail Lights." I like the outcome of leaving the center panel, that was one of my concerns was making my center panel match the actual tail lights if i didn't tint it. I think he succeeded, i'm just curious of wear and tear (if any), if i'm going to have to polish it everytime i wash the car.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

The reason I did my centers is the fact that the black on the back had big flakes missing. I am going to polish it on top of the tint, but I might do a clear first. I haven't decided yet.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

yea my original center was cracking in the back and i realized it shouldn't be difficult to fix if sanded carefully, i haven't tried though, if it was easy i'm sure many people wouldn't complain about it and it wouldn't be an issue. I did find in a junk yard a good one though so thats what i'm running at the moment. I suppose i can tint my bad one and just clear my good one, and take my pick when the time comes. Love the look though, i was actually looking into some 82-84 t/a lights because of this, then realized it was a pretty simple spray on procedure.

Orinackra

I dont really have any regrets, but then again, that car is long gone now. I bought 2 cans, and I'm not sure how much I used (I did some other stuff with it too) but I know I still have an unopened can of it left. I bought it from summit, and I know you said you'd rather buy it local, but I dunno where you'd find it. I cant really think of any special considerations, it goes on really easy, and it comes off just as easy. I still have those lights, and I remember using thinner to get the niteshades off, and it wiped right off with a soaked rag. Oh one thing, it does fade after awhile. I noticed after a few months of weather, plus washing, I had to reapply in some spots.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Really? Mine hasn't faded in about 4-5 months

84redta

iTrader: (34)

hope the clear would help that. Thats what i was worried about...do you pressure clean or hand wash bullydawg? I mean really it could come down to how hard the water is between PA and CA, lol, and how many times you wash your cars. CA, unless your in the country side i can't imagine it getting dirty as often as PA, or upstate NY (myself). Just trying to get the best result with minimum work so to speak, so that the things that i'm doing now will last a really long time and look great down the road.

Orinackra

mine faded alot cause of pressure washing. I had to drive that car in the winter, and because of the salt, I was literally washing it every other day.

Still, its not bad to touch it up. Just tape it off, hit it with a light coat and call it a day.

ezysk

Nice to see others saving these cars from the wreckers.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Score! Just a little update, when to a couple of pick n pulls this weekend and scored these sweet rims. They are in MINT condition, i coudln't bleieve it, the guy got them (i believe) off of a newer formula because of the "dimples" around the edges. They weren't fun to get off because the studs were rusted solid and i cracked a socket in half, and had to drill one of the studs out with a crappy cordless drill, but after all is said and done, i've got a great set of 16 X 8 Formula Rims.

Also i picked up a trans am's stage 2 suspesion sway bars, front and back, and an IROC's wonder bar for the front steering. All in all good day yesterday.

As far as the car, i picked up a replacement passenger fender when i found out mine was weaker than i planned, and i've got my rust-freeish (100% better than what i had) 88 Camaro doors on the car, filled in the holes for the ground effects, filled in the mirror holes, so the doors are ready for prep and paint like the rest of the car. Picked up a 4 disc brake proportioning valve from a fellow board member (Thank you 89irocz355 !) so the brakes are almost done, i'm half done with the repaint of the engine compartment, and i've got all the parts to the interior i need. Just gotta figure out a little ECU problem i have with the car, repaint the car and stick it all back together and it's going to be done!! So great progress so far. Here are a pic of the rims i picked up, like i said, dirty, but otherwise mint, no curbrash what so ever, and with the 16's i won't have to worry about clearance or shaving the rear calipers at all so all in all, i'm .

rwdtech

nice, its gonna be a sweet car

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Any updates? What color are you planning on painting it?

84redta

iTrader: (34)

A little at a time, i've been so busy with school that i haven't had any time to work on her. Winter break just started, but i'm still working 4 days a week, so next tuesday body work should commence. I'm working on a few ideas that have been running through my head.

1.) Fog lights next to the headlights, and replace the turn signals with a smaller lense. Kind of a side by side, rectangle or small square fog lights, and smaller turn signals. This way i can run parking lights and fog lights, but not need a trans am bumper kinda thing. Just an idea at this point, i've got the fog light switch and wiring harness so i can do that at any point.

2.) Working on installing a 4th gen (95 camaro) bose audio system with 99 Firebird CD player. Two individual amplifers, what was the front door amps, powering the rear 6X9s, and then the 4th gen bose sub box, which i believe will fit in my rear quarter like the 4th gens in the back to replace my locking glove box, hooked up to the UQ7 subwoofer switch located on the dash to the right of the steering wheel. Not looking for earth rattling sound, just a really nice vibration in the car outside of what the engine does well. Also have a 97 Camaro Monsoon amp and wiring harness, so i can go either direction.

Car is going to be painted a dark charcoal, gunmetal grey infact, with a silver metallic trans am hood bird (the big one) to adorn the trans am hood. Formula wheels are all polished, with car matching paint on the inserts, and i have got a set of Formula Wheel caps for them. Interior has the 95 Camaro, dark gray and light gray seats, so i'm going to go with that theme, and leave the gray carpeting, door panels and dash, and go with this mint condition dark charcoal t-top roof liner i found in the junk yard. I have the deluxe molded door panels like you see in most GTAs and some T/As or Formulas. I put a little time into this idea, but for the power mirrors, since the deluxe door panels has the hole for the manual window ****, i decided to use a 4th gen camaro power mirror ****, that fits perfectly in there. So instead of a manual joystick there, there is a power mirror joy stick, so it looks very stock!

Got a 4th gen center console from a 1999 Firebird, and a cargo cover for the back, formula spoiler still needs prep to paint. Then going to night shades and clear coat the rear tail lights, front and rear side marker lights, not so dark you can't see them, but enough to blend with the body. Hatch is already tinted, and with new york state law i don't think i'm going to bother with the front windows. Got the engine running smoothly, just gotta get used to the clutch, i don't know what the previous owner put in it, but it likes to grab, which makes moving it around in small movements hard. Other than that, the car should be all done and ready to go come this spring. I really can't wait.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Yea i've done about it all, also forgot, wonderbar, and 350 Iroc-Z sway bars, i think they are 34/24 respectively, but the front may be a 36, not positive yet. Also installed sub frame connectors, and got a torsen 3.42 rear differential for my 4th gen axle that will be getting a complete re-build.

Also what i have left is i want to get a complete steering rebuild to have that be all new, and a entire bushing kit to replace 90% of the bushings at this point with poly bushings. The rest i will take car of when i need them.

Thanks for your interest! I plan on a really big post when i'm 90% done to a wrap up. I can promise this, that it will not look anything like when it started. I think i have installed damn near almost every option, it's kind of a franken-car, lol. The best of every model in a "sleeper" body. Working on possibly getting a 350 TPI for next winter install. Don't know yet.

Toyota h8r

hmm charcoal grey....91-92 body style.....like mine?




biggest thing and only thing i want to do to my car isa 96-97 ram air hood upgrade

84redta

iTrader: (34)

should be very similar, the paint in the can looks a bit darker, but should lighten up when it hits the car, but yea, minus the t/a lights and body kit, thats what the back of the car should look like.


Can't remember the number, but it's the standard gunmetal gray for a 1988 Firebird.

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, if I were you I wouldn't change for the 91/92 look, just not masculine........oh chit, you just did.............just messing with you man.

Some sort of gray on these cars look awesome, here is my macco "blend" of gunmetal metallic. Car was macco'd before I bought it.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

I haven't done the 91/92 nose just yet, lol. Just the rear bumper so far. That looks really good for macco, suprising. I like it, and i can't wait to get mine done. thanks for the interest guys!

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

Pictures make the paint look so much better. I've had the car for 41/2 years, after about 4 months of owning it, it already started fading/peeling/cracking. Some areas look better than others.

Keep us posted, can't wait to see it.

The_Wraith

OH RLY?

Kevman

I'm going grey aswell, DuPont code 44490, Pepper Grey Metallic, like Eleanor in gone in 60 seconds

84redta

iTrader: (34)

That should look really good, i love that dark gray they had on that car

Tmic87TPI

iTrader: (3)

lmao

CharcoalBird

iTrader: (4)

That's why I quoted him and said "Yeah, if I were you I wouldn't change for the 91/92 look, just not masculine........oh chit, you just did.............just messing with you man."

GreatDaneGTP

iTrader: (2)

In my opinion the formula 87-89 black bumpers look nice, but I am partial to the look of my car which appears in the link below. You've got to admit that the 89 looks better than the Banshee nose if you are required to have a front license plate. I dont need any more reasons to get pulled over

http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewga...wimg&id=243497

Grey should look nice, dont see too many. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your progress.

-Dane

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Alright, well i know i damn near let this thread die w/out a final posting, of which it still isn't totally complete because i don't have the totally finished pictures, but here goes the pictures of the nearly finished product. I'm now in the process of finishing touches, but i've enjoyed the car all summer without a hitch, and on the last day before taking it off the road, blew the serpentine belt to pieces redlining the car, so other than having to have it towed, the summer went so nicely for me. Here are the pics after the fresh paint job i did. Car also got a 85/86 Trans Am hood bird, but Pheonix graphix in the shipping process accidentally bent the birds tail. A replacement had been sent, but i had no time to put it on so it sits now without the bird on the hood yet again. So here goes, cats outta the bag, bone stock, ready for the junk yard '88 firebird has been transformed into this:







By next spring when i bring her out of hibernation, i will have the bird on and get complete pictures. My next project is a 1992 RS Heritage that i picked up, so that will be next to get the full treatment. Can't wait till they can sit side by side.

Awesome-X

I'd do her! err...I mean drive it! And I certainly would have bought it for $450, honestly I think thats a steal.

RevItUpZ28

iTrader: (1)

Quite the transformation! Looks good!

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Thanks, yea, don't have much to base her on as far as stock to transformed, but it's going from bare minimum to T/A body kit, suspension, wheels/tires, interior. Taking the car back to the person i bought it from, he wouldn't even recognize it outside of the VIN number. Helping my friend soon do a 305 TPI to 350 LT1 in his 1990 IROC, and for the help, he's giving me his running 305 TPI, so my 305 TBI car will be into a 305 TPI/5 speed car with 3.42 Limited Slip diff by next summer....oooo i can't wait

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Car looks great! Did you actually paint it yourself?

And How much money do you think you have into her total?

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Thank you for the kind words. I painted the car myself, as far as the prep work i can thank my girlfriend for the countless hours of sanding we did. It was a grueling job, but worth the end result in my opinion.

For what i spend, probably $3500 to $4000. Now yes, you can say i could get a nice higher model car for that kind of money, but to start with a $3500, 20 year old car, i would start nickel and diming everything after that. I took a car for $450, and everything is brand new, from dropping the gas tank to sand and put protector on there, new fuel pump, fuel lines, injector, TBI rebuild, '99 ls1 rear disk axle, new prop valve, ect. The list just goes on. I made this car the way i would have wanted it, and soon the final stage will be a TPI system on top of a rebuild 305. I started this project with hopes of building a very reliable car, inwhich 90% of the car was new to start, so there wasn't much left to fail. Brought the body back to 100%, brought the brakes, suspension, fuel systems all to 100% new, and the engine is planned to be rebuilt with TPI up top, T5 rebuild, and i already have lined up, possibly going in this winter, 3.42s with a torsen limited slip differential from a 2000 Firehawk. It's a lot of money, but anyone that owns one of these cars already knows it's not cheap, but the preventative maintenance/replacement things help make these cars better, and thats why as i said above, i'd rather get to $4000 with all new parts, than buy exactly what i want...20 year old with nothing but used parts.

Thirdgen Ranch

iTrader: (5)

Looking good, it's definitely come a long way!!