My intension on with this car is not a restoration. It also not a > straight> line car. I want a car that will handle itself in the curves, and give me> decent top end. With that in mind, here is what I have.>

The car:> 1969 Firebird convertable> Options:> Heater.> Drum brakes> 250 in line six OHC single barrel> 3 speed Saginaw manual.> Power top.>

What I have now:> When I bought it I got the 250 and 3 speed, but the previous owner > installed> a 1964(?) 326 with a one barrel and 4 speed(unsure of make).>

So now that I have graduated college (it took 15 years, but I made it) the> wife has OK'd the funds for the car. here are my thoughts:>

The 326 is a V8, and sounds good(sounded good 10 years ago) but looking at> specs, it looks like the H.O. puts out 285hp and 329 ft lb with a 10.25> compression head. I assume with a cam, maybe heads, and a decent> carb/intake I may be able to boost that to the low 300's hp and high 300's> torque wise. But where would I find such heads? Intakes, cams, and carbs> can be taken from the 400/455 group of Pontiac motors, but the heads are> useless, as they will kill the compression(or so I am led to believe from> google). Top this off with the fact that the 326 is only 30 lbs less> (again from google) and that the 326 did not come with the '69 'bird I am> struggling to justify fighting with this engine to squeeze the horses out> of it.>

Now the 250 OHC appeals to me on a few levels. First it is the engine > that> came with the car. Second with this engine my 'bird would not be "just> another V8 firbird", and could be something that would have people talking> about it.(Even if it is "hey remember that old fat guy with the 6 cylinder> firebird") Also it is lighter than the V8, although longer. With the> sprint head, cam, and manifold it can put out 230 hp and 260ft lb. Now I> would say that I could get some more out of it, but after searching the> I'net I have come up empty handed. Is this block the same as the Chevy> 250? are parts interchangeable, or is this a Pontiac only motor? On one> board, (forgot to bookmark, and long since gone off my history) one guy> talked about swapping the crank with a Chevy 292, but I have found nothing> else about it. I really love the idea of tricking out a sprint engine and> getting it to it real potential (keeping the car streetable though). Even> customizing a fuel injection system would be cool, but again, I only found> them for Chevy's.>

So that is my dilemma for the engines. Do I build up the 326, the 250, or> do I start looking for a 400/455. I tend to think if I go with a new > motor> I will go with a 455. Speaking of which, is the 4 bolt main that > important> on these engines?>

Moving on. I have done research on suspensions, and only really found 7> options:> 1. Bone Stock> 2. Stock with better bushings.> 3 -7 one of Global wests systems.>

For what I want, bone stock is really not an option. Looking at GW's hype> page, if they all live up to their hype, I LOVE the cat 5 system. I have> to wonder though if it is worth the bucks. it is about a 3 gran > difference> according to there site between that and the Cat 3, which looking at the> hype page would be my second choice. And that is about 1-2 gran more than> a "improved" stock.>

So is Global West worth the cash? is there another option? I will want > to> replace all the brakes with disk, so that has to be considered. I am also> planning on putting in frame ties, and I do like GW's ties, at least what > I> can find on them. The ones at YearOne looks more "stockish" but I am> concerned about the stress points with square tube.>

I am fairly versed at doing my own maintenance, and have plenty of time to> take my time and do this right. I know these sound like newbie questions,> and they are, but I will be researching and doing it slowly to get it > done.> I need to make these decisions, so I can get a solid direction (not to> mention budget). I appreciate any input you guys (or gals) can give me so > I> can make my decision.>

Thanks,>

Paul.> -- > Email is bogus. Email to:> p Sorah circle at mutual data period com(ercial)> no spaces, and the usual punctuation where indicated.

I have googled till my fingers bled, and can not come up with the answer, so>I thought I would throw out my thoughts and get some feedback.>

My intension on with this car is not a restoration. It also not a straight>line car. I want a car that will handle itself in the curves, and give me>decent top end. With that in mind, here is what I have.>

The car:>1969 Firebird convertable>Options­:>Heater.>Drum brakes>250 in line six OHC single barrel>3 speed Saginaw manual.>Power top.>

What I have now:>When I bought it I got the 250 and 3 speed, but the previous owner installed>a 1964(?) 326 with a one barrel and 4 speed(unsure of make).>

So now that I have graduated college (it took 15 years, but I made it) the>wife has OK'd the funds for the car. here are my thoughts: