Ep 2. Lost in Suspension: Trouble With the Firebird
- TVPG
- February 28, 2023
- 42 min
In Faster With Finnegan season 4 episode 2, titled "Lost in Suspension: Trouble With the Firebird", the crew faces a challenging task of transforming a 1978 Pontiac Firebird into a drag car. The Firebird has been sitting for 20 years and has not been touched since the previous owner parked it. Mike Finnegan and his team must overhaul the entire suspension, including the front and rear ends, to get the car back in top shape for a drag race.
The episode begins with Finnegan and crew traveling to Minnesota to pick up the Firebird. They meet with the previous owner, who shares the car's history and how it has been stored in a barn for the past 20 years. They inspect the car and realize that it needs a complete suspension overhaul before it can be taken to the drag strip.
Once they return to the shop, the team gets to work on the car, starting with the disassembly process to see what needs to be replaced. They discover several rusted parts that need to be replaced to bring the Firebird up to racing standards. The crew replaces the rear end, shocks, control arms, and sway bars to ensure the car can handle the forces of drag racing.
Their biggest challenge arrives when they try to fit the wheels and tires on the car. The suspension work they did has caused unforeseen issues with the wheel wells, and they are having trouble fitting the rear tires. They must come up with a solution to get the tires to fit while still maintaining the car's suspension and handling. The team explores different options, including relocating the wheel wells and modifying the suspension to work with the larger tires.
Throughout the episode, Finnegan and his team share their knowledge on suspension and explain the importance of having a well-tuned suspension for drag racing. They discuss different suspension components, how they work together, and the adjustments needed for different racing scenarios.
As they continue to work on the Firebird, the team also adds some custom touches to the car, including a new paint job and decals. The episode ends with the car ready to be taken to the drag strip for its first race. Finnegan and his crew are excited to see how their hard work on the Firebird pays off on the race track.
In summary, Faster With Finnegan season 4 episode 2 is an episode about taking on the challenge of overhauling a neglected car and getting it race-ready. The crew faces difficulties in fitting the correct tires and customizing the suspension to work with the larger tires. The episode provides insight into the importance of a well-working suspension for drag racing and shows the crew's passion for car customization.