Before the first hard drive
- Inspect fasteners and witness marks.
- Verify brake hose, ABS wiring and parking-brake routing.
- Check exhaust, driveshaft and suspension clearance.
- Verify wheel/tire and brake clearance.
MODIFIED CAR · VERIFY
Post-Modification Baseline Checklist
A modified car should not be declared “done” because the parts bolt on. Establish a new baseline and verify the systems that the modification can influence.
APPLICATION: 1993–2002 Firebird / Formula / Trans Am after significant chassis or drivetrain modification. Use manufacturer-specific torque/setup values for installed aftermarket parts.
Establish geometry
Check ride height, axle centering, alignment and driveline/pinion-angle requirements that apply to the installed combination.
Verify electronic interactions
Where applicable, confirm ABS/TCS sensing, speedometer/tire calibration, transmission behavior and engine calibration assumptions.
VERIFY AFTER ROAD TEST
Reinspect for contact, leaks, loose hardware, abnormal heat, new noises and changed clearances after a controlled road test. The verification step is part of the repair.
FPV RULE
OBSERVE → MEASURE → ISOLATE → PROVE → REPAIR → VERIFY. A symptom is a starting point, not a parts verdict.