My First Car :D [1990 Formula Firebird - L03]

[LayneAlways]

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r130/Exiled_Hero_photo/Firebird-Hood.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r130/Exiled_Hero_photo/Firebird-Side.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r130/Exiled_Hero_photo/Firebird-back.jpg

So, it's not the nicest car, or the fastest, but I LOVE it. It's my first car and I couldn't be happier, but I really would love to this mod this car up a bit. I don't really care so much about cosmetics, though a new paint job would be nice(clear coat is cracked in a lot of places), but I don't know whether I want to do an engine swap, or try to make the L03 a badass, don't really need to take it to the strip, so I'm thinking the L03 might be fine, though I don't really know how to attempt a project like this, any help/suggestions would be appreciated! :D

[sLoWnStEaDy]

350/383 wouldn't be too expensive...
You could do a motor swap/carb conversion, headers, exhaust, and other minor things for under $1K i am sure... I have seen 383's go for $500~ and complete 350's for $200~ even less sometimes. sold the 350 out of my T.A. for $250 and bought my 383 stroker for about $450~

LO3 is rated around 170hp~ and have a somewhat low compression ratio 9.3:1 or so...
As for modding the stock engine... some common things...
emissions removal
headers/exhaust
carb. conversion
nice intake

Also if you are not already a member, I would hit up ThirdGen.org very nice place and they helped me a lot with my '88 Trans Am (no longer have it)

[LayneAlways]

Yeah, I probably will do a swap as I don't really know that much about ground up tuning, so starting with something that has more power would probably be nice. I'm thinking an LT1, maybe LS1? It's already got a Cat-back exhaust system which is pretty nice, I guess I'll have to see about the engine everything, but I'm only 16 with about 300$ to my name so it may take a few pay checks lol

[DustinsDuster]

go with a standard SBC. you'll have to make mounts to get the LT1/LS1's in there, and then you'll need to figure out what you will do for a transmission, and then you'll need to swap in all of the wiring/computer to actually run the engine.

you could do all of that, or you could strip a lot of the useless crap out, and just run a carbureted 350. then take the leftover money and buy a 5 speed to put behind it, and go have a blast.

[LayneAlways]

Hmm, sounds interesting, though the stock L03 is a 305 not 350, so I don't know if you meant a swap or not, but isn't carb. kinda useless compared to a TBI?

[sLoWnStEaDy]

carb > TBI (I have seen CLAIMS of 20+ rwhp gains just by switching to a carb)
I can say from experince that switchign form EFI to carb on my 5.0HO seemed to wake it up...



Dustin was saying to just swap a carb'd 350. I think in your case that would be enough, if not more than enough... The 350/T5 i had was putting out may be 300HP or so and at times it was plenty of car. And i have driven cars in excess of 500hp+...
Being 16 you don't have a ton of driving experience i would assume so take it slow... jumpig from say 170~HP in front of a slushbox 700R4 to say 300HP~ in front of a T-5 is pretty damn intense...

If i was on a budget and wanted more power from a 305... I would do headers, carb conversion and nitrous... then may be a cam if you have the skills... other than that you are getting into some money, such as heads, forged internals (for more nitrous), 350 swap, stuff like that.

[LayneAlways]

Alright, I'll keep that in mind ^^
and yah I'm not really the show offy, go fast and put other people in danger type. I do like to go fast, but there's a time and a place for that, but I hear what you're saying.

[sLoWnStEaDy]

Lastly...
you can bolt the 305 heads onto teh 350 and that will raise the compression. I am sure some chevy guys will speak up sooner or later. I am a Ford/Mopar guy personaly so...

[LayneAlways]

Alright, thanks for the tips~ ^^

[Fire Hawk]

Lastly...
you can bolt the 305 heads onto teh 350 and that will raise the compression. I am sure some chevy guys will speak up sooner or later. I am a Ford/Mopar guy personaly so...

You can but not worth it from everywhere I've read and even talking to the local machine shops. The 305 heads flow shit on a 350. They are not good enough, (flow wise) to make up for the increased compression to be worth while. You can buy parts needed for a 350 that will bolt up to the 305 that's in there now. They will make some difference but will shine on the 350.

Going to a carb'd 305/350: intake manifold, carb, fuel pressure regulator, Air Cleaner Setup. Misc hoses, clams, fuel filter, linkage/connectors for trans based on carb being put on.

It is & isn't expensive to do it depending on what route you decied to go with used/new parts.

[Domestic Disturbance]

lt1/ls1 swap you're talking a little above your price range from what I can tell. Great motors, yes, but think money wise. Like dustin said, it isn't just simply dropping another engine in. It'd be wiring and fitting that might take some experience and more money.

The 350 sbc on the other hand is probably the most plentiful and cheap engine to build out there. I'm in a boat similar to this. I want to do more work on my car than I can afford, so I've been considering dropping the SS and building a 350 ground up to learn more on.

[Domestic Disturbance]

By the way, very clean looking 3rd gen. Clear is bound to be crappy, but from what I can see no rust and the color is still good

[LayneAlways]

Yeah thanks, it's got great color, no rust, no leaking in the t-tops, and runs smooth, I'll probably go looking for a 350 today

[DustinsDuster]

too bad you dont have a V6 mustang, i have a 5.0L looking for a new home...

[LayneAlways]

haha I wouldn't mind a v6 mustang XD
If you want to give me one, I'll gladly buy the 5.0 fromm you :P

[LayneAlways]

Just a question, I kinda of wanted to get my car painted, but I was wondering is the stock hood with the non-functional hood scoop sufficient to switch over to a functional one, or would I need to buy a need hood?

[DustinsDuster]

im not sure how you would make that hood functional- but the car would probably look good with a cowl hood or even a stock GTA hood.

[LayneAlways]

Note takin', appreciated ^_^

[LayneAlways]

Well I guess since I got that out of the way, does anyone know any fairly cheap, but quality paint shops?

[Domestic Disturbance]

I'd keep the subtle cowl hood and just get some form of ram air intake or something that would be more effective

[LayneAlways]

That reminds me, do you know where I can find a ram/cold air intake, I was having trouble finding one for the 1990s, but I'm not exactly an expert at searching for this stuff.

[FiFdYnUtZ]

for paint look into eastside body shop in belle plaine....and i would save your money for a 350 build and not worry about a cold air intake..

[Domestic Disturbance]

for paint look into eastside body shop in belle plaine....and i would save your money for a 350 build and not worry about a cold air intake..

ah yes i forgot we are recommending a carbed 350. forget what I said

[LayneAlways]

Yessir, after the 350 THEN can I get a ram air? Pweety please? :P

[FiFdYnUtZ]

your not going to gain much spending money on a ram air setup, save for major parts like cam, heads, intake, gears, etc...

[Domestic Disturbance]

Ya I was thinking like the ram air setups in the tpi 350's. You won't need to worry bout that.

[NewSpeedSteed]

Yessir, after the 350 THEN can I get a ram air? Pweety please? :P

Take it from me, ram air is pretty cool. I love my setup, and can't imagine the car not having it. But I do know that its mostly cosmetic. It does add some power but other mods easily surpass it when your talking best bang for your buck. A 350 and a nasty cam (or forced induction) would be a million times better than ram air. Granted if you are boosted running any kind of ram air is really tricky (alot of piping and work) and generally not worth it.

[LayneAlways]

Duely noted.

[LayneAlways]

FIRST MOD:
-Installed some Rain-X Windshield Wipers :D:D:D

So yah...I hate the monetary system...and the economy ;_;

[FiFdYnUtZ]

your mistaking mod for maintenence lol...

[LayneAlways]

Jus' kidddding

[Domestic Disturbance]

Yessir, after the 350 THEN can I get a ram air? Pweety please? :P

Take it from me, ram air is pretty cool. I love my setup, and can't imagine the car not having it. But I do know that its mostly cosmetic. It does add some power but other mods easily surpass it when your talking best bang for your buck. A 350 and a nasty cam (or forced induction) would be a million times better than ram air. Granted if you are boosted running any kind of ram air is really tricky (alot of piping and work) and generally not worth it.


Fake

[ZEE]

Ram air on anything boosted is pretty much pointless. Now cold air induction on the other hand is better than hot underhood air.

[NewSpeedSteed]

Yessir, after the 350 THEN can I get a ram air? Pweety please? :P

Take it from me, ram air is pretty cool. I love my setup, and can't imagine the car not having it. But I do know that its mostly cosmetic. It does add some power but other mods easily surpass it when your talking best bang for your buck. A 350 and a nasty cam (or forced induction) would be a million times better than ram air. Granted if you are boosted running any kind of ram air is really tricky (alot of piping and work) and generally not worth it.


Fake


Your just jealous of the shaker LOL

[ZEE]

Is the shaker functional on your car?

[NewSpeedSteed]

Is the shaker functional on your car?

It is, all actual (03-04) Machs had functional shakers.

[Clinical]

too bad you dont have a V6 mustang, i have a 5.0L looking for a new home...

That 5.0 still homeless?

My 'stang and its 3.8 have been having disagreements.

[DustinsDuster]

too bad you dont have a V6 mustang, i have a 5.0L looking for a new home...

That 5.0 still homeless?

My 'stang and its 3.8 have been having disagreements.

had a guy over on Dragsource somewhat interested in it; but it's far from a sealed deal. where are you located? this guy is in DM, and id really rather not have to drive all the there if possible.

[Clinical]

too bad you dont have a V6 mustang, i have a 5.0L looking for a new home...

That 5.0 still homeless?

My 'stang and its 3.8 have been having disagreements.

had a guy over on Dragsource somewhat interested in it; but it's far from a sealed deal. where are you located? this guy is in DM, and id really rather not have to drive all the there if possible.

I'm in Burlington.

How much you wanting for it?

[DustinsDuster]

too bad you dont have a V6 mustang, i have a 5.0L looking for a new home...

That 5.0 still homeless?

My 'stang and its 3.8 have been having disagreements.

had a guy over on Dragsource somewhat interested in it; but it's far from a sealed deal. where are you located? this guy is in DM, and id really rather not have to drive all the there if possible.

I'm in Burlington.

How much you wanting for it?

the deal with the guy from DM was $200 delivered to his house. i'd give you the same deal. he asked me first, but if he doesnt get back to me by later in the week, i'll shoot you a PM.