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HotWings
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 458
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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 Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:24 am Post subject: HotWings' 78 Esprit |
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Here's some pics of my 78 Esprit. I bought this car, as the 2nd owner, in Nov 05. It originally came with a 305 SBC. The 1st owners son-in-law, built a stout little 327 and put it in back in 1994. This is also the last time this car was painted. It's never seen the winter or snow, and was garage parked year round. I got it with 108,000kms on it. I drove it the first summer with the 327 and it wasn't bad. Not the power I wanted though. Winter 06 saw a 355 SBC being installed between the fenders. I had this engine built for me, to my specs. It has a .030 overbore, Eagle rods, SpeedPro pistons, Comp Cam 280AR solid roller cam (new this winter), Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake, Dart II Sportsman heads, (port matched to the intake), Holley 750, and full MSD ignition including a Pro Billet Distributor. The block is a 4 bolt main, and we shaved .035 off the block decking which pushes my compression up over 10:1. After a weekend of drag racing last season (13.71@101.5 was the best run), I decided I needed to make more changes this winter (07). The first thing was to go from the Comp XE274 cam up to the 280AR, and ditch the 2200 stall for a 3500 stall. I'm putting drag shocks on all four corners and having a set of frame connectors put in. I'm hoping to take about 1 second of my times this summer.
   
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GK_STAR
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:54 am Post subject: |
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Nice looking Esprit. I'm still seeing spots from looking at that engine compartment 
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But Hey....Thats just Me....I could be Wrong.
Greg
78 T/A 403 Olds
80 Turbo T/A 350 Olds Rocket
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Nate
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 433
Location: Owensboro, KY
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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I believe that the Esprits don't get the credit they deserve in the bird world! I think they make excellent cars!
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1979 Pontiac Firebird Redbird
http://www.cardomain.com/id/oldblue1981
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rkellerjr
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 278
Location: Yorktown, VA
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Raptor
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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Loooovely Esprit. I think they're my favourite Firebirds now, simple yet beautiful.
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François Martinez
- 1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit "Solar Gold" (resto project)
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Nate
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 433
Location: Owensboro, KY
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Raptor wrote: |
| Loooovely Esprit. I think they're my favourite Firebirds now, simple yet beautiful. |
I agree with you here, Raptor. I think one of the reasons that I love the Esprits is that they are not "over the top" like some cars in the muscle world are. I love the Trans Ams, but sometimes I feel that the side vents and all are a little too overwhelming. But, that all depends on the paint scheme.
I love the simplicity that the Esprits have...they are able to pull off the look with a little less baggage.
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1979 Pontiac Firebird Redbird
http://www.cardomain.com/id/oldblue1981
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sir english firebird
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 239
Location: Northants ENGLAND !
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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Nice car, it reminds me of when i first got my Bird, similar colour although different year.
Heres a pic of it, not very good but it was all i could find at the time!
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The V8 made me do it officer!
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HotWings
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 458
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:30 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the comments.
I like the Esprit because they are a real "sleeper" car. People don't assume they are fast when they see them.
As far as beefing them up, it's REAL simple. I've got the full WS6 suspension and steering in mine. Also with the car coming with a 305SBC it makes engine swaps easy. If I had my choice I still would have rather had Pontiac power under the hood from the factory but here in Canada unless it was a Trans Am or Formula, the late 2nd gens had a SBC under the hood.
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1978 Firebird
12.66@105.5mph
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Nate
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 433
Location: Owensboro, KY
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Exactly! No one expects what they can actually do. I agree 100%!
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1979 Pontiac Firebird Redbird
http://www.cardomain.com/id/oldblue1981
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sir english firebird
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 239
Location: Northants ENGLAND !
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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Sleepers are excellent i must addmit!!
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The V8 made me do it officer!
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HotWings
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 458
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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poncholvr
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:38 am Post subject: |
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yea i wonder now what my esprit would it ran like
it was a dark metal flake silver, with the black leather (deluxe) style interior- it had the 301 as well not the 6
not a turbo though
any ideas?
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my T.A has more horses than Budweiser
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HotWings
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 458
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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Some pics from tonight, after her first bath of the season.
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1978 Firebird
12.66@105.5mph
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Nate
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
Posts: 433
Location: Owensboro, KY
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