93-97 to 98-02 Full Body Conversion *Guide*

Full BODY 4th Gen Conversion

Well I see alot of ppl. asking for someone to explain how to do this so after doing it fully myself i can, but i wish i took more pics while i was in the process of doing it. There's already a highly detailed guide for the camaro " http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody...ontendto98.htm " but not for the Birds however its a little similar. If you have any questions feel free to ask, cuz i asked a million b4 I started.



Items needed for Front Clip Conversion:

**I got most of my parts off of ebay, and if u going to go through GM for the parts, your better off buying a new car.
now when buying parts for the conversion make sure their 1998+ plus the desing ur going for: FIREBIRD, FIREHAWK, TRANS AM
Fenders $100-200 x 2

Hood $200-900 Stock "non ram air" is really cheap unless u want Ram Air

Front Nose $200-400

Front Fender Bracket (2-pieace) $50 x2

Headlights $250 - 350 x2 GM wants about $1,000

Fog Lights $20 - 100 depends if ur going for stok or aftermarket

Turn Signal Housing $25 x2 and Light Sockets ? x2

Side Markers $40 for the whole set

Front Bumper Center Support $40
*hard to find on ebay
Front Bumper Impact Bar Absorber $60
*hard to find on ebay

Some extra nuts and bolts



Rear End Clip Conversion



Rear Bumper $200

Tail Lights $200- 300 think GM wanted like $800

Hatch $350
*depends which one u want, Highrise is more spendy.
Side Markers $30

** You can also put on the side skirts "molding on your rocker panel", but i didnt..



Ok, to go from the early 4th Gen Bird


http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7915/fbomb.th.png

to the late 4th Gen Bird



http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/880/img00649.th.jpg



Step 1.
A. Disconnect the battery
B. Take off the hood and the underbody weathershielding

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4...g00066q.th.jpg


Step 2.

Remove the Fenders and Front Nose
**i took my doors off also while i did this, but i was repainting..
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/9...g001142.th.jpg




*remove the old front nose brackets also, you may need some WD-40..



Step 3.

Remove Headlights and support.
**the long plastic support that goes from headlight to headlight...
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/66/he...support.th.jpg

Step 4.

Remove front nose foam support.

:devil:1/2 way there!!



Step 5.

A. Put the new front fender brackets "12 amd 17" on and the headlights on also.
[URL=http://img31.imageshack.us/i/scan0001nqb.jpg/]http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8372/scan0001nqb.jpg[/URL

**ur gonna have to splice the cables for the headlights otherwise they dont fit or buy the female end also.. make sure u wait to final fit these till u have the rest on too or youll end up what i did where they scratched the hood**
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3...g00590f.th.jpg

B. Replace the old parking light socket with the new one..



Step 6.

Put the new front Foam Nose absorber "6 and 7" on and the Center nose support also..
**really easy, bolt off and bolt new one on..

Step 7.
Put on the hood, fenders, and Front Nose


http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1208/img00603.th.jpg
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9521/img00601l.th.jpg
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1403/img00600.th.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3288/img00398.th.jpg


you can use your old struts and gear from your old hood to the new one..
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5418/img00566.th.jpg

Take your time aligning everything up it look better in the end.. My Semi-finished BABY!!http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1930/img00637.jpghttp://img20.imageshack.us/img20/img...pg/1/w1600.png

is urs a six banger?

headlights look like they would scrape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pickle86

headlights look like they would scrape.

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haha u noticed, they did at first only cuz i slapped it all together the last minute for college but i got it taken care of now.. and yes its a 6banger for now..

oh ok right on. good thing you got it fixed haha

I realize you just got it together, but holy bad fitment bro.. Gotta get on that before the paint starts to chip on your edges..

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9479/img00641.jpghttp://img694.imageshack.us/img694/i...pg/1/w1600.png
Rear End Clip Conversion
I didnt take many pics while i was doing this however its really easy however your gonna need someone to help you with the hatch..
*You can use ur original lights fot the newer 98+ tail lights..
Step 1.
Remove the tail lights

Step 2.
Remove the Bumber and disconnect the side marker

Step 3.
Remove the hinges on the hatch and remember to disconect the power and the GROUND!! which are located by the top light..

Use a board or something to hold the hatch up.

Step 4.
Have 2 ppl on each sidde of the hatch while u remove the hatch the hindges so it dont drop on your ass..
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5201/img00640.th.jpg


Step 5.
Install the new bumper and connect the side markers also..

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9458/img00373t.th.jpg

Step 6.
Install the hatch before u put the tail lights on so u dont scuff them putting the hatch on.
Make sure its aligns correctly so it closes and locks.
Step 7.
Intstall tailights and center pieace
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5894/img00587.th.jpg


YOUR WELCOME!:devil:

Op, if you were to put a blower on that car, I'm pretty sure you'd have no trouble keeping up with a stock B4C. Built turbo Buick GN's have been pulling wheel stands for years..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by supercopone

ur building a fake trans am....how much do u have in this?

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Does it really matter? its "my" 1st project car ntm im looking at a ls7 to drop in it next year then ill repaint it AGAIN lol

But i chose not to go the route! k thanks the end! :kick:

but it didnt cost much, plus i had a whole boring month to kill and i didnt want to keep the old front bumper so i did it. IDC if its "posing" as a trans am, not me with the problem and i didnt create this thread so u can burn on my car. Created this thread to be informative to those who are thinking about doing it.:eek2:

any1 know where i can find a t-top conversion and v6 to v8 conversion guide??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

any1 know where i can find a t-top conversion and v6 to v8 conversion guide??

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Believe it or not, some of the structure is already there on your car for the T-tops. The center support is under your head liner. You'll have to do a search but someone here @ the site has done the conversion.. I'm not sure if there's a kit for it though. There's a lot that will need changed for the v8 install you're planning but also has been done buy a member here too. Have to do that search too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smittro

Believe it or not, some of the structure is already there on your car for the T-tops. The center support is under your head liner. You'll have to do a search but someone here @ the site has done the conversion.. I'm not sure if there's a kit for it though. There's a lot that will need changed for the v8 install you're planning but also has been done buy a member here too. Have to do that search too.

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Ya im one of the lucky ones that has the outline for the t-top under the head liner :devil: BAH! dont remind me, im aware theres alot to be changed for v8 but i might as well start prepping the car now b4 snow comes

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

Ya im one of the luck ones that has the outline for the t-top under the head liner :devil: BAH! dont remind me, im aware theres alot to be changed for v8 but i might as well start prepping the car now b4 snow comes

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I feel ya. I was gonna do an LS1 conversion too in the spring. But the guys here got me thinkin' blower. So I put it to the wife she said go for it..:woot:

:devil::devil::devil: Hehehe... The Doc is in..

http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/t...tro1/45454.jpg

:wtf: im so jealous :eek2:



..... since when did trans am get all cheapy on auto trader !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

:wtf: im so jealous :eek2:



..... since when did trans am get all cheapy on auto trader !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Well I gotta finish my other project before I can start the new one. Kinda was the deal with the wifey. But I can stock up on parts in the mean time.:woot::yup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

any1 know where i can find a t-top conversion and v6 to v8 conversion guide??

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you are way better off buying an ls1 trans am,

seriously, you have an lt1 body, and doing an lt1 swap would be costly in itself, but putting an ls motor into lt1 body means even more parts would need to be swapped such as entire fuel system etc and so forth

o god, lol same here.. i gotta finish the body work on the 66 skylark and drop the engine in it.. reahttp://img690.imageshack.us/img690/518/img00395.jpghttp://img690.imageshack.us/img690/i...pg/1/w1600.pnglly really would like to set off for another year or so lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

o god, lol same here.. i gotta finish the body work on the 66 skylark and drop the engine in it.. really really would like to set off for another year or so lol

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:eek: Some cool toys there..:yup::yup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justinmc978

you are way better off buying an ls1 trans am,

seriously, you have an lt1 body, and doing an lt1 swap would be costly in itself, but putting an ls motor into lt1 body means even more parts would need to be swapped such as entire fuel system etc and so forth

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sounds like even more fun :yum: either way down the road i just want a custom v8 i fully built myself, not just another ls1 or lt1 u can get out of the dealership like a lazy ass.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smittro

:eek: Some cool toys there..:yup::yup:

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:suicide: the bobcat is my favorite lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

:toetap:

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now you guys have done it... i tried to hold him back... but the douche baggery was to much... heaven forbid we have a decent post on how to make a lt1 fbod look like a ls1 fbod... i can't bear to see the *hands Y2KPewterSS a :bat: with razor wire wraped around it* carnage... CARnage!!!


to the OP... nicely done... get a bunch more pictures and make a decent write up for it!!!

i was under the impression that the biggest differences from the 4.0 gens to 4.5 gens were just the front end. might we get some full on before and after when the project is finished??? im gonna look through this again when i get some time to see what differences i can spot in the other areas, but not tonight. gotta get up early to start cooking.

I have cleaned up all the nonsense from this thread. This is a good write up on a conversion so I cleaned it up instead of closing the thread. If there is any further nonsense in this thread, I will just issue warnings instead.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spaz

now you guys have done it... i tried to hold him back... but the douche baggery was to much... heaven forbid we have a decent post on how to make a lt1 fbod look like a ls1 fbod... i can't bear to see the *hands Y2KPewterSS a :bat: with razor wire wraped around it* carnage... CARnage!!!


to the OP... nicely done... get a bunch more pictures and make a decent write up for it!!!

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>.> i did this back in july... sorry i didnt take many pics of the conversion, i was more overwhelmed by the repair work alone. But if you want me explain better on some areas just ask. :coffee:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 00z28bubba

i was under the impression that the biggest differences from the 4.0 gens to 4.5 gens were just the front end. might we get some full on before and after when the project is finished??? im gonna look through this again when i get some time to see what differences i can spot in the other areas, but not tonight. gotta get up early to start cooking.

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Your right, main difference in the rears are the tail lights. Unless ur doing a rear conversion to Firebird to Trans am.
Early Firbird: http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5...12large.th.jpg
Early Trans AM:http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3...r20view.th.jpg
Late Firebird:http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7...7123im1.th.jpg ***added lip
Late Trans Am:http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/240/98ta2.th.jpg
any1 wanna correct me if im wrong? I know the firehawk had its own special hatch.

Heres some pics of during the project, but my old pics of the car b4 it are on the old comp.. sorry
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9758/img00116a.jpghttp://img204.imageshack.us/img204/i...pg/1/w1600.png
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/814/img00476.jpghttp://img142.imageshack.us/img142/i...pg/1/w1600.png
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7775/img00614.jpghttp://img4.imageshack.us/img4/img00614.jpg/1/w1600.png

[URL=http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img00619.jpg/]http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4606/img00619.jpg[/URL

[URL=http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img00633.jpg/]http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1827/img00633.jpg[/URL

[URL=http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img00636.jpg/]http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1848/img00636.jpg[/URL

[URL=http://img24.imageshack.us/i/img00649.jpg/]http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/880/img00649.jpg[/URL
**im still not finished, gonna get smoked side markers, halo fogs, and still need to finish repairs on the spoiler...

was it worth it? and did you sell your old parts?

The Firehawk has the same hatch, just a different spoiler depending on year and options. Mine is one of the lucky few with the "Ol' Lumpy" spoiler- only 125 made due to the complexity of the mold. What sucks is mine's beginning to split along the top seam so I'll have to tear it apart and fix it this summer.

Old ass thread. bberetta can you show me a pic of the spoiler you're referring to plz?

Oh nvm. Just Googled your car and found pics of it. It's interesting, definitely something I haven't seen before

Odd an old thread thats actually worth reviving. Cool project and good luck with the v8 conversion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kyle_803

was it worth it? and did you sell your old parts?

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Considering I had the car for couple of years and not willing to get rid of it not matter wat the wife said lol ya it was worth it. No I havnt sold my parts yet. For u new viewers reviewing my thread feel free to ask any questions, lol I'm still here

I THINK THE 98-02 CAMARO/TRANS AM ARE SEXIER THAN THE 93-97s

Quote:

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Originally Posted by teamfbody

I THINK THE 98-02 CAMARO/TRANS AM ARE SEXIER THAN THE 93-97s

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I'm guessing the OP does too...:chuckles:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

Considering I had the car for couple of years and not willing to get rid of it not matter wat the wife said lol ya it was worth it. No I havnt sold my parts yet. For u new viewers reviewing my thread feel free to ask any questions, lol I'm still here

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Glad to see that you went with it.
And its so cool that you're doing the work yourself.
I don't know why people on here are always hating.
Do you have any resent pics? Did you do the T-tops? Keep us updated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

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I'm just kidding here but I think I spotted Joe Dirt... :sorry:

haha thanks for agreeing with with me, my old man really needs to cut that off :approved:

Ha! T-top Conversion done! any1 needs help doing it, let me now.. PM ME

Oh snap! i forgot about this thread.:sillyme: Time for a 3500 top swap! :firedevil:

actually if i was gonna go through a swap.. it would be a total over haul, thinking 427 manual. lots of work though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jager686

actually if i was gonna go through a swap.. it would be a total over haul, thinking 427 manual. lots of work though.

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Nice! Yes tons o work.. You know I just had to push modding the 660.. It's what I do :lol::drivin:

only if we had all the time in the world to ignore our women, just think of wat we could accomplish lol

no pics of the new t top?

ill put a finish pic up soon after a couple vinyls lol

great job man free bump for the work put in

mucho mucho kudos on your VERY unique build. i LIKE it
great job on everything i wish you good luck on the LT1 frame to LS1 frame motor swap. it is a LONG and frustrating journey. but with the skills and knowledge you seem to have im sure you already know more than i do on the conversion lol. i just have one question.


keeping it an AUTO?:love:
or going manuel?:hahano:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TmaxicanA

mucho mucho kudos on your VERY unique build. i LIKE it
great job on everything i wish you good luck on the LT1 frame to LS1 frame motor swap. it is a LONG and frustrating journey. but with the skills and knowledge you seem to have im sure you already know more than i do on the conversion lol. i just have one question.


keeping it an AUTO?:love:
or going manuel?:hahano:

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I would like a manual, but it depends on parts and amount of work on the conversion i guess.. But geez didnt think the t-top conversion was alot of work but after case of beer i got er done lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sjsingle1

no pics of the new t top?

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heres some older semi done without the materials for the tops
*notice how i didnt bother to change the headliner lol
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3539/1021995.th.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7711/1021994.th.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6627/1021993.th.jpg

ill take one tmw if i can find the camera of it finished

Check this video out it's on the full front end conversion and it includes pictures of all the brackets and parts you will need Trans am front end conversion - YouTube

Back from the dead

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnIpEr

Old ass thread. bberetta can you show me a pic of the spoiler you're referring to plz?

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Good god, and I thought this bitch was old back then haha

this reminds me, what the hell is goin on with nymphadora/frankenbird? time to bump that thread up.

Woke up and saw a email notification u brought it back to life. Thanks, almost forgot about this

- - - Updated - - -

Woke up and saw a email notification u brought it back to life. Thanks, almost forgot about this

so is it a v8 yet
and this is how we get the i just beat ls1 in my stock 2000 gt :attn:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ws6ws6

so is it a v8 yet
and this is how we get the i just beat ls1 in my stock 2000 gt :attn:

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Nope, it just sits in storage atm. Been converting my zx6r to a street fighter/bobber, had opened a can of kittens in doing so...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnIpEr

Good god, and I thought this bitch was old back then haha

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You're tellin' me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SnIpEr

You're tellin' me.

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helpful threads can go a long ways... :)