Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

I have been drag racing bracket for many years and have always wanted to get into Class racing. I am looking at purchasing a '95 Firehawk to make into a class car. For the time being due to budget I am looking at Pure Stock and eventually into a Stocker. What I can find so far is IHRA has it rated at 315 for PS and the NHRA guides has the Firehawk weighing 3050. With looking at that I see it as a natural B/PS. Am I right? Is this a good combo for PS and eventually Stock? Keep in mind I am not in any plans to set records, just want to have fun in a class I love from the day I saw it. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Frank

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Hi Frank,, in my opinion, if this Firehawk gets you into the game, its a good combo. At least you're not sitting in the stands like me! As for it being competitive, I wouldn't worry about it right now,, I feel you're approaching this with the right attitude. You've bracket raced enough to know how to cut a light or work on your car to improve it.
Theres some fine folks on here that can steer you the right direction,, I'm surprised that Dan Fahey isn't on here already,,,hes Pure Stocks biggest cheerleader. I met him at Columbus last year and feel he is very knowledgable about PS.
Get the Firehawk and go have some fun,, my 2 cents.
Danny Durham

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Hey Frank and Danny
Good Morning ..just saw this..
Cool another PS car is good.
The Camaro/Firebird cars are excellent platforms.

First email Mike Baker at IHRA for the correct class.
Typically 4.10 gears, converter, Tune, tires get you close or under the index in even hot weather.
You have a 7.5 inch rear which is strong enough for PS.
Suggest you ping your C/FB community how they keep them reliable.

After that read the rules to make the car more reliable.
Key upgrade is a PS Blueprinted Cam for your engine.
Bullet Cams have great PS cams that meet IHRA Specifications.
Bullet and Mike Baker have done a lot of corroborating what is acceptable.

Just remember the 11.50 ET rule.
Going any quicker requires a Roll Bar.
In B/PS not hard to get below that.

I use Yank Converters the SS series is very streetable.
Just had my YankSS3800 rebuilt.
Replaced with a more aggressive PT4200.
The locking Converters make cruising easy.
Makes for playful street testing.

Two key Tuners are PCMforLess and Ed Wright who lurks on this blog.
I use TunerCat for making tuning changes.

Hope this gets you started!

Dan

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Thanks Dan. One thing I didn't mention is this will be a drag only car, I have no plans to drive it on the street if that changes any suggestions from anyone.

Frank

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Hey Frank
What Division you running?
Also you have ODB1 Computer and easier to Tune than the ODB2.
I think you car would fall either C or D/PS.
When you get finished send me a picture to danfahey@dansources.com

I will post it on the Pure Stock Photo Album.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

I am in division 3, I live just north of Columbus, OH. I will email IHRA about HP and weight, NHRA has it at 3050 for the Firehawk which I'm guessing is due to the composite body panels including the hood. I hope to have it home soon, made the deal with my brother and now it's to find the time to go get it.
Frank

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Division 3 cool !
National Trails Raceway, Quaker and Pittsburgh all have independent races during the year.
Lots of opportunities to mix it up .!

If you can grab some old magazines.
The Camaro/FB racers use to have a race series for a while.
Classes were Bolt On (Near Pure Stock), Head Cam, Stocker, Big Dawg classes.

Had great tips how to upgrade and go fast.

Until middle of this year I drove to all the races.
Loved the TriState Races and was Runner Up in two of them.
Get to the track put my racing tires on and raced.
Put streets on and went home.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Mornin Frank, WELCOME in! The PS water is fine! LOL!! I built a 93 Z28 for my kid getting out of JR dragsters. We run it in C/PS down here in Div2. We did it as a nice father son project. We did the usual stripping of everything not necessary, put in a rollbar, did torque arm, sway bar, replacement springs, control arms, shocks in the rear. Had Greg at FTI build us a converter (call him, much less $$$ than a Yank and FAST!) we also did a non-lock up kit in the tranny since it will be track only. Ed Wright did a chip for us, we put on headers w/ muffs, etc. I tried to use the 7.5 inch 10 bolt but it didn't last long. Luckily some friends helped us out with a killer deal on a 12 bolt. The motor is BONE STOCK w/ 160k on the clock and it still goes 4 tenths under. We plan on doing the bullet cam but just haven't gotten around to it yet.


Here is the kicker. The car is pretty fast, its EASY to race, and DEADLY consistent. I have a total investment of just over 6k and it has paid for itself in about a season and a half!!! I ran it last year in D/PS and did pretty well and the kid is having a really great FIRST year in a big car including winning stock at the Bradenton Nitro Jam!! Hopefully we will be heading to Memphis in October!


The only downside is we have friends with 30k++++ in true, legal, stockers who are PISSED at us cause we folded em up in our "beater"! Once I bring em a cool one its all good again. WELCOME IN!!!

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Hey Kenny!
You Guys rock in Div2
$30k stockers easy but many are near $100k.
We almost qualify as Dime Racer.
As time goes our Pure Stockers are upgraded like all cars.
Perfect class for any classic car and still maintain its value.

D

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Kenny how fast have you gone in the 1/4

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Dan I'm not even sure we qualify as "dime" racers on this project! LOL! Maybe a nickel and a couple pennies!


Mike I'll have to get the logbook out of the trailer. We have hardly run any 1/4 mile races this year. If memory serves me we are only about .15 under in the 1/4. 12:60?? We run 7:80's & 90's in the 1/8th. It runs pretty good down low but isn't a powerhouse at the big end. Still pretty good considering it only ran 14:30's bone stock.

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

PS; Frank I think your car should come with the OBD2 computer and the 4L60E electronic tranny. A BONUS! Mine came with neither. The OBD2 can be programmed and then tweaked with a laptop rather than "burning" chips and the E tranny can be programed to shift via the computer rather than relying on a governor. This is a lesson I learned AFTER I bought my 93.

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

1995 is ODB1...like my 59SS.
Also the 4L60E trans !!

1996 an on are ODB 2

Kenny:
Compared to those high dollar Stockers running $10/gallon fuel.
Takes pennies to their Dollars to run our cars.

Mine still has the AC on it and a good rub in for all those on a HOT Day ;-)

D

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Where might I find the h.p. ratings and weight breaks for pure stk?......Thanks Joe Mocci

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Good start is NHRA for Weight Breaks.
Then email Mike Baker at IHRA to see if they use the same HP
For example my 1995 ImpalaSS rated 299 Stock, 295 PS.
Or ask one of us. Be glad to help.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Is OBD 1 vs. 2 a big deal on these? What I've found posted on the net is some late year builds were OBDII, I will find out when the car was built.
Will anyone in PS be at Empire next weekend? I am hoping to get up there, will be running my current car in HR. Let me know if you'll be there and I'll try and pop by. I'll be delivering cash to my brother for the car and then find a time to bring it home. I will baseline the car for this year and then start the work over the winter. I will keep everyone posted.
Frank

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

In our B-Body and Camaro/FB LT1's have a choice of ODB 1 over the ODB 2 changing the PCM.

Just the second O2 sensor not used.

Planning to be at Empire next weekend for the IHRA Pro Am
and
ECIRS Impala race the following weekend.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Well I have paid for the car and now to find the time to go pick it up. I will post pictures once I get the car home.

Dan, it was great chatting with you and Al at Empire on the weekend.

Frank

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Oh that was an awesome conversation with Al Pozzi and Dave Hoffer
Now we all know that Division 2 cheats 😝😄

You a Dave will add two new Pure Stockers to the club.
Too bad I made a poor showing.
But a lot of people came by to talk Pure Stock.
Seems interest is growing...

It was great meeting Phill and his A/PS Plymouth !

D

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Finally brought the car home, I will post pictures once I get it out of the trailer. Going to the BMV tomorrow to get title and plates. I'm going to drive it a bit before the cold weather gets here and it gets parked and the fun stuff starts. Also, I need to get rid of my 3rd Gen Camaro to get some funds for this project if anyone is looking for a good turnkey bracket car or potential super stock project.

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Welcome to the CLUB !! ;-)

D

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Finally a picture of the car. Here is what I am starting with.

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Awesome car!!!!!

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Good luck with your project, Frank. Looks like an excellent starting point,,, I know you'll keep us posted over the upcoming off season,, take care.
Danny Durham

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Looks like a great starting point,have you had it out to the track yet to get a base line?

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Nice.
Have some performance parts that would make your car go.
Dan

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Finally made some progress on the car, diff is out and will be ordering the new one from Moser in the next few days.

Re: Pure Stock '95 Firebird Firehawk
 

Anyone need a diff? I am also selling the SLP upgraded suspension to go with it.