The Blackhawk Project
#1
The Blackhawk Project
I've been chasing the elusive 91/92 Firehawk cars since they were new and although I've had opportunities at several of them (including #3 for what today would be considered CHEAP money), somehow the timing was never right and one never did end up in my garage. I've also been fascinated by the parts that were assembled for these cars, specially developed by SLP, their scarcity, uniqueness, technology & performance.
Last year when Greg Williams had his race car up on e-Bay, there was a black car in the background of one of the pictures that seemed very interesting. The wheels & what I could see of the engine had me very curious so I sent him a message. We exchanged a few notes and at some point the conversation stopped but I didn't forget the car. Back in February, I contacted him again and after several conversations and some contemplation on his part, got him to agree to let it go.
I'm going to have to get in touch with the two previous owners in North Carolina to find out exactly how this car came to exist, but it certainly is interesting just the way it sits. A polished T-Ram sits on the top of the factory 350, headers with 3" exhaust and it doesn't feel stock. It's got custom paint on it, sort of a Rootbeer Pearl as Greg called it in a black base, that's pretty neat looking. There's a killer stereo in it that seems to date back to the early 90's too.
The plan is to first find out how the car came to be and what was done to get it there. Then I'm going to throw the rest of the SLP catalogue at it and Tony T-TOP350 has already sent me the most important part - the dual feed, cold air intake! Thanks Tony! I'll get the TOTL Exhaust for it, one of Hawks bolt in roll bars, hopefully an aluminum hood, 1LE front spindles & brakes, JG1 aluminum driveshaft and a Dana 60 rear. The polished T-Ram will get blasted back to a cast look and the engine compartment will get detailed. The interior will get cleaned & updated with a new headliner, visors & sail panels, carpeting and possibly a set of the Recaro Seats.
I'll probably wait until the fall to take it apart for the mechanical work since my son is claiming it for the summer and I still need to collect the parts. It came in on a transport Tuesday from Oklahoma, dirty and with a little damage from the trip. We've taken care of a couple leaks and so today with a borrowed mechanics plate I hope to get it cleaned up, road tested and possibly a short video.
So here it is - The Blackhawk Project
Last year when Greg Williams had his race car up on e-Bay, there was a black car in the background of one of the pictures that seemed very interesting. The wheels & what I could see of the engine had me very curious so I sent him a message. We exchanged a few notes and at some point the conversation stopped but I didn't forget the car. Back in February, I contacted him again and after several conversations and some contemplation on his part, got him to agree to let it go.
I'm going to have to get in touch with the two previous owners in North Carolina to find out exactly how this car came to exist, but it certainly is interesting just the way it sits. A polished T-Ram sits on the top of the factory 350, headers with 3" exhaust and it doesn't feel stock. It's got custom paint on it, sort of a Rootbeer Pearl as Greg called it in a black base, that's pretty neat looking. There's a killer stereo in it that seems to date back to the early 90's too.
The plan is to first find out how the car came to be and what was done to get it there. Then I'm going to throw the rest of the SLP catalogue at it and Tony T-TOP350 has already sent me the most important part - the dual feed, cold air intake! Thanks Tony! I'll get the TOTL Exhaust for it, one of Hawks bolt in roll bars, hopefully an aluminum hood, 1LE front spindles & brakes, JG1 aluminum driveshaft and a Dana 60 rear. The polished T-Ram will get blasted back to a cast look and the engine compartment will get detailed. The interior will get cleaned & updated with a new headliner, visors & sail panels, carpeting and possibly a set of the Recaro Seats.
I'll probably wait until the fall to take it apart for the mechanical work since my son is claiming it for the summer and I still need to collect the parts. It came in on a transport Tuesday from Oklahoma, dirty and with a little damage from the trip. We've taken care of a couple leaks and so today with a borrowed mechanics plate I hope to get it cleaned up, road tested and possibly a short video.
So here it is - The Blackhawk Project
Last edited by PurelyPMD; 04-14-2016 at 07:36 AM.
#4
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: The Blackhawk Project
Looking good, will be following to see the updates!
#5
Re: The Blackhawk Project
Braided return line from the regulator leaked onto the headers during the road test today. Going to repair/replace that line but looking for a solution to eliminate the braided lines from under the hood.
Has anyone had any experience with the Earl's black Super Stock hose and would that be acceptable in this situation? They have matching black or Aluminum clear connectors that would give this a more stock/factory look under the hood.
Has anyone had any experience with the Earl's black Super Stock hose and would that be acceptable in this situation? They have matching black or Aluminum clear connectors that would give this a more stock/factory look under the hood.
Last edited by PurelyPMD; 04-14-2016 at 05:23 PM.
#6
Re: The Blackhawk Project
So now that it's been washed, the Root beer Pearl (that I figured would be a gold or bronze metal flake) is really PURPLE! Very Cool!
The car needs a SERIOUS buffing and interior detailing but I'm sure it will look KILLER when done!
This falls right in line with my 73 Custom TA - period speed parts, custom paint & wheels + aftermarket stereo from that era. Going to be hard to match but my paint guy stopped over the house tonight for some beers and assured me he could do it. Yay! Not sure if stock decals will be going back on or if I'll leave it monochrome....have to think about that.
The car needs a SERIOUS buffing and interior detailing but I'm sure it will look KILLER when done!
This falls right in line with my 73 Custom TA - period speed parts, custom paint & wheels + aftermarket stereo from that era. Going to be hard to match but my paint guy stopped over the house tonight for some beers and assured me he could do it. Yay! Not sure if stock decals will be going back on or if I'll leave it monochrome....have to think about that.
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#8
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iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,896
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: The Blackhawk Project
Wow, last cassette deck I installed was a pioneer super tuner II in my old 73 formula back in HS!
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2015
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Car: 1992 firebird
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed standard
Re: The Blackhawk Project
So now that it's been washed, the Root beer Pearl (that I figured would be a gold or bronze metal flake) is really PURPLE! Very Cool!
The car needs a SERIOUS buffing and interior detailing but I'm sure it will look KILLER when done!
This falls right in line with my 73 Custom TA - period speed parts, custom paint & wheels + aftermarket stereo from that era. Going to be hard to match but my paint guy stopped over the house tonight for some beers and assured me he could do it. Yay! Not sure if stock decals will be going back on or if I'll leave it monochrome....have to think about that.
The car needs a SERIOUS buffing and interior detailing but I'm sure it will look KILLER when done!
This falls right in line with my 73 Custom TA - period speed parts, custom paint & wheels + aftermarket stereo from that era. Going to be hard to match but my paint guy stopped over the house tonight for some beers and assured me he could do it. Yay! Not sure if stock decals will be going back on or if I'll leave it monochrome....have to think about that.
Dude that car looks sick man I'm jealous look forward to seeing more of it
#10
Re: The Blackhawk Project
Most of the stereo is working, dash speakers are not for some reason.
Disc changer & two amps in the trunk well, dual subs in the cover. Cassette deck works, had my Phil Collins cassette in there this afternoon! LOL!!!
Picked up a new seat back from Eric & got that cleaned up & in this afternoon, picked up an aluminum driveshaft from him as well.
Disc changer & two amps in the trunk well, dual subs in the cover. Cassette deck works, had my Phil Collins cassette in there this afternoon! LOL!!!
Picked up a new seat back from Eric & got that cleaned up & in this afternoon, picked up an aluminum driveshaft from him as well.
#11
Re: The Blackhawk Project
Been collecting parts and finishing up other projects before I get to work on this one. Picked up a new 9 Bolt 3:27 yesterday from Steve that's had a recent rebuild to temporarily replace the rear that is in the car. The one in the car has an as-yet un-diagnosed issue that I'll get to over the winter, but for now I can at least get the car moving.
Washed the rear up and got it coated with some chassis black - ready to install!
Washed the rear up and got it coated with some chassis black - ready to install!
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