CB build: '98 Ponitac Firebird 2JZ swapped fury - Finished! See Under Glass

[RickRollerLT1]

Posted this in the CB 2018 thread, but not why post it here as well. 

What I started with:

 

 

Quick mock up

 

What's done so far 7/22:

 

 

Did quite a bit of scratch building, trimming, and parts scrounging for the 2JZ and the engine compartment. Quite a tight squeeze in there (won't be able to see the 2nd turbo once the cowl in in) and considering it's 1/24 vs the AMT's 1/25th I used on a eariler 2JZ swapped F-body, that made some things a bit more difficult but was still possible. Used spare turbos from Olds Areo on shortened and trimmed Ferrari Enzo V12 headers and made intake tubes from spare chrome parts trees. The idea for the intake was it to be ram air style for functionality, so I found a old painted radiator from a 80s Turbo FWD of some sort and used that. 

 

 

 

 

Exhaust is the old LT1 style from a 93 Pace Car as it's on the same side as the 2JZ's header and easier to intergrate going by experience on a 2JZ'd '93 I built long ago. The 98 strangely had a single exhaust tip setup so a dual tip f-body muffler was scrounged up but was missing the tips. So, on went spare aluminum stacks from the Opel GT as new tips.  Also had to modify the radiator so the fan shrouds don't hit the motor as much.

 

Also opened up the vents and expanded the snorkel scoops on the hood for better air flow with that tight motor and the turbos.

 

Still have some small things and a bit of clean up to do motorwise as I plan to add in intercooler to slightly show where the lower front lights were, then it'll be setting the ride height/wheels and it's off to paint. Had Walmart Color-place Fire Red in mind to complement my older 2JZ T/A build. Will try to keep posted here and the CB thread.

Edited August 12, 2018 by RickRollerLT1

[kelson]

Very different build ,but nice work so far.

[mustang1989]

DAAAANG!!! First off I didn't even know this kit existed. ( I worked on these when they were brand new at a Pontiac dealership in Dallas and back then I wondered why they only had one exhaust outlet?? ). Secondly , you're definitely putting quite the spin on this one. Will be watching.

[RickRollerLT1]

Some updates: moved the position of the radiator again because I still wasn't happy with how close it was to the motor. Molded in piece ended up breaking so I found a painted one from an ancient F-body build, separated it and then trimmed what remained of the existing lower air dam for a more refined fit. Also patched in a very small piece in the engine bay (that must've broke off when removing the front molded in air intake) with a piece of sheet styrene, and did some slight trimming to a teensy section on one of the sides of the fan shroud so the 2JZ's intake pipe will go through to it. I decided against the intercooler under the front bumper since I believe my Ram-Air configuration will be enough to keep that 2J cool. I'll probably end up putting in some screening mesh to put in the opened up vents for posterity.

Also got the ride height approx to where it will be. Not going to be doing any serious lowering because I imagine gonna be on some bumpy roads and I don't want any scraping giving any issues. Center of wheels will be painted later once detail painting commences when the sprayed parts are dried. Forgot to mentioned I opened up the molded in side vents as well.

Just need to do some final body sanding with lighter grits for a smoother surface and get all the parts not attached to sprues taped up to hold so they won't fly off. Tomorrow will then come body and parts spraying! (weather providing)

Edited July 25, 2018 by RickRollerLT1

[RickRollerLT1]

I originally decided not to go with a front intercooler, but why press my luck and have issues during the race so I went with it anyway. Found an intercooler from what seems like an old Revell Impreza STi motor and combine that with a piece of a yellow molded exhaust system, can work with the 2JZ's intake pipe through the radiator and gets me extra insurance. 

[RickRollerLT1]

I apologize for lack of updates, had to strip the paint job due to humidity causing bubbles underneath that somehow got under a near perfect finish. While waiting for it's purple bath to finish, I was also trying to finish up a Quad 4 swapped Opel GT that was started way before I joined in on the 2018 CB. With the Opel nearly finished (just need to get a moment to assemble it all) I also tried to squeeze in whatever time I had after work to find a less humid day to respray the 2JZ bird's body. his paint job came out much better... aside from a teensy big landing on the chicken emblem on the front bumper, which isn't a biggie as I plan to ether lightly sand it down then apply an leftover unused chicken decal from my 2002 CE build that would likely fit over it. Worst case scenario would be to apply a licence plate over it, making it more street legal since while kinda ugly looking, I've seen 1:1s that have them so option B wouldn't be unusual if so.

No pictures right now, tired as s and i'll get new pics of the 2JZ Firebird soon when I do my photo batch alongside finished pics of the Opel GT in a different thread.

Edited August 2, 2018 by RickRollerLT1

[RickRollerLT1]

Update 8/3: 

Now that I finished my Quad 4 Opel GT (coming up in a bit), I got the 98's body parts, 2JZ valve cover, and custom engine bay plate painted Colorplace Fire Red after the 2nd painting attempt (same color I used on the 93 I built in 2009). Though there were some minor imperfections, they were lightly sanded down i a few spots and the front bumper on the chicken emblem thanks to Mr. Teensy fly. Then I applied Pledge/Future and here's how it all looks before I do some toothpaste polish.

 

 

 

 

 

In some shots, it looks different and kinda pink but that's due to lighting and such in my room. It's a much darker red than what you see in the pics. Drip came down because I had just applied it and still wet.

 

I plan to paint the chicken flat black or apply the leftover CE bird decal to further break up the reds, but that's all once I get to detail painting. 

 

Soon we'll be ready for mother road!

[RickRollerLT1]

Update 8/10: we're at the home stretch baby!

 

 

 

Added mesh in the vents I opened up (I did the side vents as well but in the mock up pic they're kinda hard to see).

 

 

Got the ride height to where it plans to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Just need to adjust some things and add a few bobs and bits and we'll be finish!

[RickRollerLT1]

It's finish!

 

[mustang1989]

Good lookin' build Richard. Man those ol' F bodies look too cool!!!