TireSmoke.org

I think the tumbler and locking mechanism is frozen. It's impossible to turn it with a key. It's probably the right key we have. The only way to open the hatch is with the button on the dash. We lubed it but it hasn't helped. We'll have to tear it apart when it becomes important. For now, at least it can be opened.

-BP

We are replacing the wheel studs on the TrackBird so I thought I would go to Youtube and find someone who has done it.
This fellow was actually very helpful. Taught me a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp0A8at1YD8

Pretty straight forward, check it out. Let me know if it helped you.

Muh man is keepin' it real, and helping brothers out. All good!

-BP

Today we basically finished the new 3.90 gear install. During the week 32V finished the axle stud install, so all that was left was to add fluid and put the new muffler on it for our test drive. During this process we also installed the new urethane torque arm bushing, the "new" aluminum driveshaft with actual new u-joints, and the "new" used tubular lower control arms. We still have to fabricate a bracket extension for the exhaust hanger on the drivers side and we'll be able to put at least one tailpipe back on.
The new muffler fits perfectly and is actually a little quieter than the flowmaster we took off. It's also a lot smaller and lighter, but the smaller aspect is the best part as we can now actually slide a jack under the pumpkin from straight behind the car, which we couldn't do before because the car was too low and the muffler was too big. We'll only have one tailpipe now, but I'm willing to sacrifice a little look for more function, simplicity, and weight reduction.
We got the wheels back on, dropped the car down, and did take it for a quick trip. We didn't beat on it because the rearend gears still need a few more heat cycles, but at least everything we did seems to function as designed. With the nice weather sticking around for several days, I expect 32V will be happy to finish the heat cycling and put a few miles on it after that.

Now we're going to go under the hood to see if we really have an oil leak or if it's still just power steering fluid coming out of the cap. As of now, I'm leaning toward the power steering cap still being bad as the fluid level was down considerably when I checked it today. We'll get a new cap on there and put a new PCV in just in case and go from there.
Then after that we'll dig into the interior for some floor repair and stage one lightening as we start to remove unnecessary bits.

-BP

Tonight I did a bunch of reading and I'm convinced the Trackbird doesn't have a real oil leak and our leak is still power steering related and it's coming out of the cap.
We'll replace the cap, but I'm not convinced it will cure our problem. Next time at the track I'll bring my temperature meter so we can check for overheating still, but there are baffled P/S fluid reservoirs out there in case it's just splashing out. If overheating is the case, I'll get the pump redone to flow less fluid at RPM.
In the meantime, I read that a hair scrunchie will at least keep it from splashing all over the motor to keep the mess down.

-BP

I am not sure the difference but my 95 Camaro was on that track a few times and never had this problem with spitting out p/s fluid. And no external cooler. It was a 3.4 and not as good a ratio in the steering rack which make it not quite apples to apples

Literally every LT1 and early LS Camaro/Firebird guy that runs track days complains about this, and even some autocross and drag racers. There's not enough 3800 guys doing this to find a discussion about it. I'm not sure what RPM's you ran with the 3.4, but that's the killer apparently. Higher RPM applications seem to have more complaints. I'm running mostly between 5-6k.

I just looked and the 3.4 runs the reservoir right on the pump, kind of old school. All the ones with the issues have external reservoirs. Somewhere in this design is a GM engineering flaw.

-BP

Yesterday we were able to finalize the exhaust after I brought the welder over to 32Vs place. We welded up an extension to the hanger, welded a spacer into place, and then had to cut out a section of the tailpipe to complete it. We also got the new steering wheel install done.
32v got the rearend break in done over the last week, and we went for a more aggressive test drive. The new exhaust sounds good, and the new gearing and aluminum driveshaft have definitely helped out the performance. It's noticeably quicker than before.
Next we turn our focus to the interior. We'll be removing unnecessary parts and fixing the holes in the floors.

-BP

Shortly after Saturday morning breakfast at Bob's with BP and 'Smoke,
there was a fun busy couple of hours in the 32V Garage.
The pictures show what's been done.
So much more to do.

(Looking ahead to what this could turnout to be.)

After diner Sunday, I went out to the 32V Garage to see what it takes to remove
unneeded brackets and continue the process of weight reduction. I invested an hour and a half to take those two brackets out. This was labor intensive,
sparks and grinding dust filled the car. When done it looked like a sandy desert
and you can see the damage from this extraction technique.
I have ordered a Spot Weld Drill Kit, expecting this special tool to reduce the huge mess,
eliminate much of the damage and to reduce the amount of time to undo a spot weld.

(OK, it was still fun.)

We'll fix those holes right up. Good thing the welder is over there already.
It will be fun to see if the new tool helps the process.

-BP

Spent the afternoon in the 32V Garage using the new spot weld drill.
It still takes some effort but the tool does make it possible to remove
unwanted brackets if you can get at the spot welds. Some came clean, others not so much.
There will be some welding up of holes and damage.
I have red paint somewhere.

(I think I lost more weight than the Bird.)

That's probably more weight than you gain on a cruise laying there. Good work! It all adds up at the end of the day.

-BP

Today we started after breakfast with a trip to The Basement at Tiresmoke Central where we worked a deal with Dave for some nice Sparco seats for the Firebird. These are not for weight savings, they are for support on track. The factory seats have very little support, and these will work much better keeping us in the seat on track.
Back to 32Vs place and I spent a few hours getting the dash assembly removed. This has created some extra work for us, but it was a pretty noticeable amount of weight, so it was worth it.

-BP

Last Saturday we started tearing up the rusty parts of the floor on both sides. I ran out of weld wire while finishing the driver's side. So today after buying new wire, I went over to finish what we started.
It's not beautiful nor does it make the car faster, but at least the Flintstones won't feel at home in it now. We're still planning to put down paint on bedliner on both sides of the floor in front too.
Then on to the seats, radio, and HVAC.

-BP