I have reached the end of the tunnel today. Fired up the car and tested the transmission.

I have few more items to add so I can pass the state inspection and I'll be road worthy again.

Yipppeee!

SWEET !!

My builder did not put sealer on the 4 water pump bolts that go into water passages, so I had to drain the system and seal the bolts to get them to stop dripping.

Other than that, everything went well today.

Ah, the sweet smell of fresh anti-freeze.

Very Kool, congrats! It's been a long time in the works!
But this makes it all worth while doesn't it? Such a great feeling.

Keep us posted!

Brett!

Not too far behind you...Congradulations!!!

It's about time for this Birdie to take flight and leave the nest! Be proud!!! And fly like an eagle.

big day!!! makes the long journey worthwhile.

congrats... we'll need a burnout video next

Cool, great news.

I am getting closer myself. Can't wait to hear the roar you are experiencing.

Yes, many people got to experience the roar yesterday as my wife started dialing people up and taking the phone out into the garage.

Whoa Boy! Take it easy...this is 'break in'... not 'break it'.

It was safe. My builder had a dyno, so I had him break the motor in at his shop.

The roar was because I could not get the Pypes exhaust puzzle installed myself, so there is only a short section of pipe press fitted behind the headers followed by a set of Violator mufflers safety wired into place.

I did not rev it very much for fear of blowing the mufflers off!

Congrats, good job!

Great to hear she too is an enthusiast! get some video up when ya have some time!

Congrats Salmon!
I'm curious as to what the "state inspection" is in Texas. There is a slight chance that I might be moving there, so please fill me in. Here in Cali they don't smog or inspect anything older than 73'.
Cheers

the "state inspection" is in Texas.

for cars 25 yrs and older its $12.50 they check lights, blinkers, that you have a windshield...brakes...tires....no emissions...oh and muffler...think thats it...
for newer cars...it depends on county...less populated counties have a lesser inspection ,not sure what it is since I live in the 'big city'....but I think its $45 that I pay.......and they test emissions ,kind of like Calif....

last year I had mine done (has Flowmasters 40, no transvere)and was paying when a guy in a late model Mitsubishi came by , you could hear that he had a hole in the muffler or a leak somewhere....when he asked if they could inspect it , the inspector said..."you wont pass with that noisy car"....I said : " but mine is louder"....he:"yes, but yours is SUPPOSED to sound like that"!

Bjorn - the fee went up to $14.50 last August. I just had my Mustang done 2 weeks ago and got told that.

And they told me I have to put the WS wipers and mirrors back on the Firebird to pass.

ah, ok, I had mine done just before that....got to "brace myself" for that increase next time then....LOL

That's a great line..."yes, but yours is SUPPOSED to sound like that"! I love it!

Oh...I just paid $70 for an emission test on my 93' caddy today. We also pay annual regitration fees, depending on the type and age of the vehicle. I think my wife's 2005 Honda is about $350/yr. This is even after our great Governer Schwarzenegger lowered the fees when he took office.

The good news is that the Bird doesn't require smog check and the reg is only $60/yr or something like that.

Weird, You'd be interested in an email I got from a friend the other day about proposed smog inspection changes in the counties out in the valley. Check the SEMA site. I think that's where it came from.

Robert