Above 1200 Sq/FT Blackbyrds Basement

[Blackbyrd]

Been posting for a while after being converted from long time lurker. Im Adam, im in middle Tennessee and this is my basement garage thread.

A garage has always been a space I spend time in, as a car guy from my teens I've worked on modded and customized pretty much everything I've owned. Done it in friends garages, driveways and yard on a few occasions, but always wanted a space to do it in that wasn't just a basic garage. Something that puts a smile on my face everytime I'm in it. This is my 3rd and a half go at it. This space is definitely the closest to my goal, but still room for improvement I feel. Always the challenge when you have an odd footprint from previous construction. It's a full basement garage with a his and hers side and this will just be my side. The full depth is 60ft, with varied width from 18ft to 28ft at its widest. House was built in 93 remodeled in 06 and we moved in mid 2014. I don't have a lot of photos of its original state, but poor lighting and tan epoxy floor with no texture and a full bathroom was all here. The walls were a tan/khaki color that repeated throughout the whole house. I personally don't like tans and yellows and prefer gray tones. I kept the toilet and sink, but wanted a big open space so took the walls and shower out. The lighting was one of the first changes I made, followed by some cointop garage tile from bigfloors.

 

[Blackbyrd]

It took me a few years to get everything here and situated since the previous house stayed on the market for 2 years. Got a new toolbox, got the Byrd home and picked up a great deal from home depot for a big set of new age cabinets, sadly they don't offer this series anymore cause I'd love a few more pieces. There's still one more car to bring also, but that doesn't happen for some time. From here I actually start working on cars and doing small projects here and there. Learning what works in the space and what doesnt. Random garage bathroom is usually a talking point of visitors

 

[Blackbyrd]

Re did lights again last year the shadows were awful with the spacing of the lights. Found these on Amazon and the light output was awesome. And since they are linkable it made for a clean install. Re did the bathroom , still not happy with the table but the foot print left makes it difficult find something to fill the space but not cramp the toilet. Yes the toilet is open air, I originally wanted to put a stall in, but found other things to spend money on...... so for now this ugly off white toilet exists. This is also the beginnings of me painting the cieling flat black. Camaro is now home 71 non split bumper car. Bought it in 2010 been setting on it buying parts, but finally got all my tools and all my cars under one roof. The family business is storage buildings and one of the buildings was my shop. But as our business grew the space was converted to have an office and the family started putting items there....... me grinding welding and wrenching didn't mix. I miss my lift, but I don't miss the 20 minute drive to work on things.

 

[Blackbyrd]

And now as it currently sets, I outgrew my husky box, and wanted a little more storage. I looked for months for an option and settled on icon, more expensive then most options I was looking at, but I couldn't argue with what you get for the money. Clean, contained, organized and professional looking. Once upon a time I worked as a technician and was always envious of the big truck brand setups so having one of my own feels pretty good. Hopefully I won't outgrow it haha. The back half of the shop is for fab, electrical cutting, beating and banging. Arguably this table is not great at this, but it was cheap. Now that my welder is hooked up again I'm considering building something more rugged. Since the back is for serious work, I opted not to put the tile under so cleaning was easier. I also know it won't hold up to welding so I'll have to take precautions there. Middle ground is for light stuff, R&R work. So my mostly finished project sets there since the camaro is a long term project I don't wanna have to move it to drive my other toys.

 

[Blackbyrd]

At the door is where the daily sets and the detailing stuff. 2 balck cars you gotta stay on top of cleaning them. Also big griots fan......

The cars are an 06 gto as my daily, 2001 firebird that's been heavily modified. And the the 71 camaro that's being rebuilt entirely

Thanks for following along if you made it this far! It's a work in progress and I'm still refining things as i go. I've considered getting one more car, but that could really cramp the space. Parking at an angle gives me a bit more space, but gets cramped near the bathroom area

 

[jbrentd]

Nice job on the transformation so far. Painting the ceiling was probably a lot of work, but it made a huge difference. Is the wife's side just as big and nice?

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks you! Not gonna lie I made it 1/4 of the way and friend recommended a painter. We used dryfall paint and he was done in about 3 hrs and his pricing was great.

It's a single door with a regular door to the outside so it's similar width, but about half as deep. The corner at the end of the my toolbox is the door into back wall of her side of the garage. It has the original epoxy floor but it's flaking up. There is also a drop down ceiling of varied heights.

Most of the lawn stuff and my kids outside toys are on that side.

 

[eastmtn]

I'm here for the cars. You've got some very influential muscle in that basement and I'll be along for the ride to see what happens.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Ever make the trip from Washington to Tennessee I'm here!

Thanks! Byrd has been mine since I was 18 been through a lot with that car. Started life as a v6 auto, now has a stroker motor and a 6 speed putting 530hp and 510tq to the wheels.

GTO is stock other then a nice exhaust.

 

[joey1320]

Great looking space.

 

[Blackbyrd]

This area is my next project...... it's kind of a catch all for parts and nonsense. I kept the metal organizers from work but I don't have the drawer cabinet that goes with them...... they are mostly empty. Considered letting then go. As I get rolling on the 71 I'm sure the needs of this space will make more sense.

Open to suggestions though

 

[jeepster1407]

I love your basement build @Blackbyrd. I've got a similar setup but on a smaller scale. I'm just below you in North GA.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks! I'm about 3 hrs from Atlanta

The only thing I really wish I had was a lift.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Well this is the first pass.

Can't decide if I wanna keep the Grey bins or not. Don't have the drawer track to go with. Can't complain though. The orange tote is full of LS parts, mostly junk and the boxes next to it are parts for the 71 Camaro. I've got a lot of suspension goodies for it, but I need to get the body situated before I use any of it.

I thought about putting some better shelves up but it would block the light worse than it already does, but I may need some shelves to hold all the parts as they come in....

 

[captain14]

Nice garage and work shop together . Sure beats walking down the steps to get that tool you forget when working outside or a freestanding garage.

It’s a working garage so you have to have a toilet. Any thoughts of a privacy partition? May hang some tools on the “outside” wall?

 

[Blackbyrd]

Nice garage and work shop together . Sure beats walking down the steps to get that tool you forget when working outside or a freestanding garage.

It’s a working garage so you have to have a toilet. Any thoughts of a privacy partition? May hang some tools on the “outside” wall?

I'm not sure what to-do about it honestly? Initially I wanted to do a stall, for what they cost? I keep avoiding it haha. I've thought about a poney wall just to obscure it? Here lately I've been toying the idea of moving the sink and tearing down the wall that's there. I tend to park the cars I'm not working on at an angle and the sink and wall being gone would allow for a 4th car and still leave a lot of working space.

 

[captain14]

It’s hard for me to place where the sink and toilet are in relation to the garage door. I do not see it on your technical drawing in the first post.

I can tell you the boss won’t be happy if you have to clean up someplace else in the house.

 

[Blackbyrd]

@captain14 on the dry erase board drawing, it's in the bottom right corner where the garage is at its widest. Opposite wall of the toolbox, but further down the exterior wall. At the narrowest part on that drawing 17ft is where the garage door is. So the toilet is about 45 ft intobthe garage.

Yeah I'm lazy and like my garage toilet so I don't really want to get rid of it. Technically there is another sink close by. The theres a landing just up from the wifes side that has our pantry and a utility sink in it. it's not like I "need" more space.....

 

[Blackbyrd]

Parted ways with my daily last week. The 06 GTO has been good to me, took my son to pre-k for 2 years. Rejuvenated love of cars (got kind of stagnant for a bit and was in a rut. I got it in 2014 with 54k miles and let it go with 78k, short commute.

I would have loved to keep her and maybe someday I'll snag another one when I have more space.

That said I replaced her with something equally awesome. A 2018 zl1 Camaro, I've always bought older cars thst are easy to work on and let my wife have a nicer daily since we use her car to travel. I've been spoiled by the creature features of modern cars, but this car checks all those boxes and is a blast to drive.

 

[eastmtn]

Parted ways with my daily last week. The 06 GTO has been good to me, took my son to pre-k for 2 years. Rejuvenated love of cars (got kind of stagnant for a bit and was in a rut. I got it in 2014 with 54k miles and let it go with 78k, short commute.

I would have loved to keep her and maybe someday I'll snag another one when I have more space.

That said I replaced her with something equally awesome. A 2018 zl1 Camaro, I've always bought older cars that are easy to work on and let my wife have a nicer daily since we use her car to travel. I've been spoiled by the creature features of modern cars, but this car checks null those boxes and is a blast to drive.

A daily driver with 650HP. That's a win! You probably are getting more miles per gallon with the new one too. And you've improved your carbon footprint. With my pea size brain I can turn the unreasonable into a necessity.
Did you get a manual or Automatic transmission? Any ideas for mods? Daily's need love too.

 

[jimkinney]

Nice work, but the Camaro doesn't fit with your name, so you need to send it down here in FL. I miss my 72SS.
Jim

 

[Blackbyrd]

@eastmtn yeah its likely a bit more effecient since it has catalytic converters and factory manifolds. I went manual again, couldn't resist hahah.

It's gonna get a catback for sure, it practically has straight pipes now...... not my favorite.

From a power level it's relatively similar to my firebird. But it drives vastly different so for now I just want to get comfortable. Probably do some cosmetic things

 

[Blackbyrd]

Been a while since I've updated, lots of shenanigans going on. Ended up getting another motor for the 70 (6.2 liter l92) so the 5.7 is gonna get sold off. I got my exhaust for the zl1 but ran into some issues with installing it. Some of the oe brackets were missing so the trip I took to my inlaws to use the lift was a waste.

Been so hot lately my drive has been squashed, but managed to finish a few painting projects. The wood frame around the garage door was still exposed, and the corner next to the tankless water heater was unpainted since the tank covered it.

Small details that make it seem finished. At some point I'd like to paint the rest of the cieling black, but I've been having pex issues. I keep having pinhole leaks on extended times the house is vacant always on the hot side. So I'm looking to redo quite a but of plumbing before I go through painting.

No progress on the 70, once cooler weather gets here I'll push it outside and finish stripping it.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Finally got my AWE system on, sounds so much better!!!

My hold up was this system requires a small section of thr OE exhaust after the secondary cats be used instead of bolting to a flange. The nitwit that owned the car cut the secondary cats off and welded pipe in its place same with the muffler. The instructions for the system used the cats as a starting point for measuring the cut.

So I had to hang most of the exhaust under the factory system using zip ties to line up my cuts.

Worked like a charm..... but man working on the ground wore me out!

 

[eastmtn]

It's a good thing that your garage is air conditioned. I'd hate to have to play contortionist in TN humidity. The pipes look good.

 

[Blackbyrd]

You aren't kidding @eastmtn !!! I got finished about 1230 that night it and it was still 75% humidity outside!!!

Happy the basement is slightly ac'ed

 

[Blackbyrd]

Been gearing up to start the metal work on the 2nd gen. Inner bracing for a roof conversion. Love t tops and while they werent available til 74, the roof line is the same minus the back glass. So I've got a bit of work to replace the top, but it starts with stiffening up the chassis for chopping the top.

On another note got some cf parts for the zl1. Had to do a bit of repair ( seems like the norm for me these days is fixing the parts I buy before I can install) so a little epoxy patching and theybare ready to install.

 

[Blackbyrd]

man its been a month already!

I dont really have a lot of changes I expect to happen garage wise, just little organization here and there but I think the big things are done. Save a lift? I miss my old one but anything I put in here I wont be able to stand under... so is it worth it? That and we intend to build a house in the next 5-8 years so I can deal.

So I'm thinking next up ill go into more detail on the cars and modifications and such. The 2nd gen is a work in progress and will likely be documented heavily in this space, but im having hard time fitting it in these days. However the 01 pontiac firebird (Blackbyrd) has a long history since I'm the only owner. It started life as a v6 auto and in late 07 I finished up a stroker motor swap and manual conversion on it. While there is a lot of catalog goodies on this car, theres also quite a bit of custom work to boot so ill share a bit of that. I'll dig up so old photos of how it looked off the lot as well.

as for the last post, I installed half the CF parts on the ZL1 and decided I didnt think the vents would look good with it? Almost too much maybe. Also welded up all the things I had clamped in place on the 71. Want to weld in 2 more braces, diagonal's in the door jams then it will be time to cut the roof off.

Open to any suggestions on my free standing toilet?

 

[Blackbyrd]

So a little history on Veronica (they all have names haha) so as I mentioned started as a v6 auto and when I got finished with school I decided to build it as it wasn't my primary care anymore.

Had a builder do the engine work a 414 stroker made out of 6.0 ironblock and l92 heads. got a beefed up ****** and 9" rear to go along with it. A lot of aftermarket suspension to help handle the power.

I installed everything myself and dis the wiring
Had it tuned at local race shop last year with a history of lsx work and got 530rwhp and 510tq out of her.

Interior is custom as well as the front bumper. All the badges have been changed over to say Blackbyrd as that has been my screen name for years on multiple forums and social media.

Took about 2.5 years to do the swap but finished it in 07. Had a series of misfortunes that kept me from getting it squared away. Really focused on it last year after coming back from vacation. Really worth it cause now I can enjoy it...... sort of haha

No ac so it only gets out on the nice days

 

[Blackbyrd]

Been waiting a while since I got my camaro to take this photo. Kind if fibbing since the 6th gen is technically not an fbody as that architecture was discounted. 6th 4th and 2nd gen f bodies in a row.......

I think I'm going to keep parking like this... actually makes it easier to get cars put. Drive way is perpendicular to the garage, but the pad is large enough to park a lot of cars, so I can nose out the one in front and pull past it.

Though this leads to me likely moving the detail wall to the opposite side...... door clearance is not great for a passenger in this case. Is severely reduced by the large shelf at the bottom.

 

[zmotorsports]

Awesome garage and cars.

Subscribed.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks Mike!

Im pretty jealous of your space though, plus I miss my lift haha

 

[bj383ss]

Just found your thread. Looking forward to your updates. Love the Camaro. I had my heart set on a 18' SS Hyper Blue Metallic for a few years but I really enjoy having no car payments. And if I do get another vehicle to be custodian of it will be a Squarebody round eye.

Bret

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks Bret

I was in a similar boat on the car payment, ultimately gave in cause i got spoiled by my wifes past and present vehicles. I keep cars forever..... 3-4 years is the max for my wife. Actually leased her last 2, I kind of like the simplicity of that.... but I modify cars to much to do something like that for me.

Just found your thread. Looking forward to your updates. Love the Camaro. I had my heart set on a 18' SS Hyper Blue Metallic for a few years but I really enjoy having no car payments. And if I do get another vehicle to be custodian of it will be a Squarebody round eye.

Bret

 

[bj383ss]

Ha! My wife was like that too. But this last new car is almost 10 years old now. It's the longest she has ever had a vehicle. It only has 50k on it so it's brand new too me.

I also have my first car, my second car, and the two trucks we inherited from my father in law. I have owned my Caprice since 1995. Paid my parents $500. And then over 10 years time I spent way too much money on it. Before that my parents bought it in 1985. So it has almost been in the family for 40 years. The engine you see in my avatar is what is currently in the Caprice

The Camaro I bought in 2004. It had 20k on it and was a 1 owner. The guy traded it in on a Sunday for a minivan at a Pontiac dealership. I bought it the very next day. It was still sitting where he parked it. I only paid $19,500. They bought it for 19k so they made nothing. Apparently they wanted it off their lot. The sticker sheet in the dash said it sold new for $36,500 so I stole it I think. It has just over 150k on the clock now. I have pretty much kept it close to stock. It being a September build it already had the LS6 intake and no EGR. I have always felt like it was a ringer and had way more than the 325hp as advertised.

Bret

 

[Blackbyrd]

@bj383 way to many good threads lately, I've not made it super far into yours. Didn't realize you were a fellow fbody friend!!! SS with cme!!! Very nice!

You snagged a looker for sure. Okay I always heard rumors towards the end of production they started getting more ls6 parts besides the Intake accounting for some freak power cars outside of the base rating!!!! Rumored some of the last of the 02's actually got the 405hp ls6 motor, but don't think it's ever been confirmed.

Look forward to getting further into your thread!

 

[bj383ss]

@bj383 way to many good threads lately, I've not made it super far into yours. Didn't realize you were a fellow fbody friend!!! SS with cme!!! Very nice!

You snagged a looker for sure. Okay I always heard rumors towards the end of production they started getting more ls6 parts besides the Intake accounting for some freak power cars outside of the base rating!!!! Rumored some of the last of the 02's actually got the 405hp ls6 motor, but don't think it's ever been confirmed.

Look forward to getting further into your thread!

I wish you good luck making it through my ramblings on my thread.

CME and 10 spoke chrome wheels were the only options added to my car by SLP. All the other options are from GM.

It has been a fantastic daily driver for over 18 years now. First engine that has ever lasted under my heavy foot for that many miles. Now having said that. I really dislike working on the car. It is just about been a pain in the *** for all repairs. Replacing the fuel pump was probably the worst and the ignition switch on top of the column came in a close second.

I did run the numbers on my block and heads and they are both LS1. It has 241 heads. So it just has the LS6 intake and EGR delete that supposedly all 00-02's had. I have never had it chassis dyno'd. But a buddy of mine had a 99' Firehawk with 6 speed he ordered new. He dyno'd his at 320 hp at the wheels. At the time years ago I always felt mine had more punch in the seat than his. We never raced he sold his shortly before I got mine.

Bret

 

[Blackbyrd]

oh I skipped the pain long time ago and put a trap door to acces the tank without dropping everything. I know I lot of folks dont like it doing it for vapor issues and noise, but its saved me a ton of work more time then I can count on one hand at this point.

other then working on the back of the engine they arent terrible to get to most things ( granted Ive ditched a lot of the factory stuff that breaks and gets in the way. I can actually change the plugs from the top really easy, my tall valve covers are more in the way then anything else at this point.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Got a chance to replace my old battery tray with something more rigid. The battery moving around led to me getting stuck in a parking lot a few weeks back.

Also got my 6 year old son to help, he wants to help in the shop but usually short term. He was in on this got a solid hr of him..... makes me a happy papa.

 

[Blackbyrd]

So not all the fun happens in the garage. The house is in a unique location to be in the middle of town. I'm roughly 2 miles from the city Square.

But the back corner of the property has a cave waterfall feature. Visible out the kitchen window, and at the end of the driveway. I'll have to post a photo from that direction for context but it's to your right if you walked out of the garage.

Took advantage of some fair weather to watch the UT vs Kentucky game. I spend a lot of time here particularly during the fall, since the house is surrounded by so many trees.