72 TA clone project/ after
 

After pics:

Les

Nice! What kind of seat do you have?

nice car Les. Did you do the clone?. 400 or 455?

72 TA clone details
 

Thanks,

Yes, I did all of the work with the exception of the paint/bodywork. I started with a driver quality, base model 350/350 Firebird, and then collected parts for a couple of years before starting the conversion.

The power leather seats are out of a Subaru Legacy and were obtained from Ebay after visiting a dealer and measuring them for fit in the Bird. Mild 462 w/HO intake, T400, stock rear w/Eaton posi and steel axles. Full Hotchkis Sport Suspension kit, 16" Americans w/245 BFG G-Force, Konis, SSBC rear disc kit, custom Bassani 3" stainless exhaust, WFO shaker kit, and welded CE sub-frame connectors. I just finished converting the dash to TA style; installing the msd, new carpet and underlay, dash cap, and headliner.

Les

next question about the seats? how tall are you what about head clearance? any more details on how you mounted them? electric tracks work?
p.s. how do you like the dual-gate?

Those pics are with the hotchkis suspension? what wheel and tire size are you using? I was hoping to use that kit and had hoped that the drop was greater than I am seeing on your car. I'm sure there will be some settling that still needs to happen but it still looks almost stock. Nice looking ride, how did you configure the seat belts? Looks like the lap belt is built into the base, does it have shoulder belts?

Thanks for the comps...............
 

joeljet,

I am 6 foot and the headroom is close, even with the seats all way back, but adequate. Only the driver's seat is powered and yes it does work. Due to my heigth, I leave the driver's seat all the way back and all the way down. The seats are NOT a bolt in, and require welding extensions on three of the mounting tabs and removing the inboard rear mounting tabs completely. Call me if you want to get more specific info on the conversion: Les Iden 626-333-4395

The Dual Gate works as adverised and is still available new.

Speedfreq,

The tires are 245/50 X 16 on 8" Americans. Yeah, I was disappointed with the "air" between the tires and the wheel cutouts, but the sub-frame connectors only have 5" of ground clearance as it is. The repoped 1st gen lap belts are a compromise (no shoulder belts yet) since there were no belts with the car and I have been unable to locate a nice used set.

Les

Nice Les!
I'm partial to the engine pic myself.;)

Thanks Larry, I finally got around to installing your WFO shaker kit.

Les

Looks great Les. I have a '72 that I am going to clone and this inspires me!

New Member
 

Thanks CRC, and welcome to the Forums.

Les

What exhaust are you running???

Custom exhaust system.......
 

Log manifolds; custom Bassani all stainless 3" Y pipe into 3" center pipe into 3" in & out crossflow muffler with 2.5" tips. Not my choice, it was already on the car when I purchased it.

Les