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Opinions on newer Firebirds?

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PClark99, the fbodies 98 and up no longer have optisparks. Those went goodbye with the LT1 when they put in the LS1 in 98.
 
Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Your profile says you live in Connecticut...I assume you will be keeping your Saturn as well, for winter / snow? I'm sure you know this already, but that Trans Am will be absolutely worthless in snow / ice. 🙁 I've gotten both my Trans Am and the BMW stuck in parking spaces before due to very small amounts of snow.

With a set of winter tires and a set of summer tires, I run my Trans Am year round in New Hampshire, and don't have any trouble with snow unless there's more than about 5" on the ground, and then it's only a problem because I'm plowing the snow with the air dam.

And maintaining a set of winter tires are far easier and cheaper than maintaining a seperate winter vehicle, even if it is just a winter beater.
 
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂
 
I had a 2000 WS6 before moving to my Z06. It was gloss black, and was a bitch to keep clean. Other than that, I loved that car. I doesn't sound like you care about the performance part of the car, but I've heard bad things about Flowmaster (like they actually restrict airflow and decrease power). Sure, they sound nice, but so do a lot of others. Might as well get a good sound AND a little extra power out of it if you ask me! Personally, I had longtube headers, off-road Y pipe, and SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. Needless to say it was loud, haha. I loved it. I had a 6-speed, so it helped keep the noise down around town.

I loved that car, and the only reason I sold it was to move up to a Z06. I'll most likely pick up another WS6 when I get some more money and use it as the "beater" car. As others have said, LS1tech.com is the place to go for LSX information. That's where I learned all I know. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: iFX
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂

Hey look somebody that does not know what they are talking about.


<-- worked on hundreds of f-bodies and even had a Firebird with t-tops and never saw or even heard what you are talking about.
 
As it has been said, the LS1 is a beast of a motor and shows that pushrod motors are still very much alive.

I believe there are some more desireable model years as far as PCMs, but in stock form the PCM is limited. A good tune, not a programmer, will net you the best HP/$.

The LS1's design is used in all Gen III V8s in the GM model lineup. The newer GenIV motors are based on the LS2's.

These engines make great power in stock form and respond well to mods. They are a lot different than Gen I and II SBCs as they like to rev more. The 5.3L V8 in my silverado will rev to 6200 RPMs.

I'd definately recommend the T-56 six speed because the 4L60E 4 speed auto is not made withstand much more power than a stock LS1.
 
Originally posted by: bananapeel42
you don't even need exhaust on the ls1, just get a cut out, hahahahahha.

yes they are badass and reliable cars, people push 200k on them all day.

I prefer straight dump from the headers. nice and LOUD

I miss my 91GTA. I'm thinking about getting another 3rd Gen and putting a LT-1 in it.
 
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Originally posted by: bananapeel42
you don't even need exhaust on the ls1, just get a cut out, hahahahahha.

yes they are badass and reliable cars, people push 200k on them all day.

I prefer straight dump from the headers. nice and LOUD

I miss my 91GTA. I'm thinking about getting another 3rd Gen and putting a LT-1 in it.

Why bother dumping it? 🙂

I don't have the mullet to pull that off.
 
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: iFX
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂

Hey look somebody that does not know what they are talking about.


<-- worked on hundreds of f-bodies and even had a Firebird with t-tops and never saw or even heard what you are talking about.

I have seen them crack in person multiple times, if you don't believe me, well, ok.
 
Originally posted by: iFX
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: iFX
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂

Hey look somebody that does not know what they are talking about.


<-- worked on hundreds of f-bodies and even had a Firebird with t-tops and never saw or even heard what you are talking about.

I have seen them crack in person multiple times, if you don't believe me, well, ok.

I had t-tops on my GTA and I've jacked that thing so far up in the front that a back tire came off the ground and never shattered a t-top.
 
Originally posted by: iFX
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: iFX
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂

Hey look somebody that does not know what they are talking about.


<-- worked on hundreds of f-bodies and even had a Firebird with t-tops and never saw or even heard what you are talking about.

I have seen them crack in person multiple times, if you don't believe me, well, ok.

Maybe on 3rd gens, but the 4th gens have a much more rigid chassis. The only time I've seen any chassis issues with 4th gens is from drag racers that are running upwards of 500+hp on drag slicks.

Oh, and T-Tops don't crack, they shatter. No such thing as an F-body T-Top cracking.
 
Originally posted by: jRaskell
Originally posted by: iFX
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: iFX
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂

Hey look somebody that does not know what they are talking about.


<-- worked on hundreds of f-bodies and even had a Firebird with t-tops and never saw or even heard what you are talking about.

I have seen them crack in person multiple times, if you don't believe me, well, ok.

Maybe on 3rd gens, but the 4th gens have a much more rigid chassis. The only time I've seen any chassis issues with 4th gens is from drag racers that are running upwards of 500+hp on drag slicks.

Oh, and T-Tops don't crack, they shatter. No such thing as an F-body T-Top cracking.

They most certainly WILL crack. I guess you have never seen guys with the glass etched? It was popular before you were born.
 
Originally posted by: iFX
Originally posted by: jRaskell
Originally posted by: iFX
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: iFX
Rattle-Trap. Avoid.

If your F-Body has T-Tops never put it on a rack with the glass tops in, the chasis is weak it will flex when lifted, put pressure on the glass panels and crack them to bits. 🙂

Hey look somebody that does not know what they are talking about.


<-- worked on hundreds of f-bodies and even had a Firebird with t-tops and never saw or even heard what you are talking about.

I have seen them crack in person multiple times, if you don't believe me, well, ok.

Maybe on 3rd gens, but the 4th gens have a much more rigid chassis. The only time I've seen any chassis issues with 4th gens is from drag racers that are running upwards of 500+hp on drag slicks.

Oh, and T-Tops don't crack, they shatter. No such thing as an F-body T-Top cracking.

They most certainly WILL crack. I guess you have never seen guys with the glass etched? It was popular before you were born.


Actually, I do know what glass etching is, and it's a chemical process that gives the glass a frosted look, usually applied in some sort of pattern or design. What that has to do with cracking/shattering glass though, I have no idea.

F-body T-Tops use non-laminated tempered glass. That kind of glass does not crack, period. Put enough pressure on it, and it'll shatter into thousands of tiny pieces, but there is no in between.

Perhaps you should do a little reading up on what tempered glass is: Link

Simple fact. You have NEVER seen a T-Top crack.
 
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: alfa147x
are you looking to boost the power in anyway or is this all esthetics mods?

Nope, don't really care about power. V8 is...way more than enough for me. In all honesty I'm perfectly happy with my Saturn's 4-cylinder lol. This is just a fun cheap car, mainly to get to work and school.

Your profile says you live in Connecticut...I assume you will be keeping your Saturn as well, for winter / snow? I'm sure you know this already, but that Trans Am will be absolutely worthless in snow / ice. 🙁 I've gotten both my Trans Am and the BMW stuck in parking spaces before due to very small amounts of snow.

That said, the T/A is a great choice for a fun car 🙂 The drivetrains are pretty bulletproof, parts are cheap, and there's a great online community for repair diagnosis / advice or mods.

Yup Saturn is my wife's car. Would the TA be really bad even with all-weather tires?
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
White trash in the extreme, but looks like fun and at that price would be a riot. I would enjoy having one.
In all honesty I'm perfectly happy with my Saturn's 4-cylinder lol. This is just a fun cheap car, mainly to get to work and school.
Seems strange if the Saturn 4 cylinder is enough for you that you'd be considering this overpowered beast.

My interest is simply in the looks. But I won't complain about 350hp! (~130hp in the Saturn? lol) 😀
 
Originally posted by: SnipeMasterJ13
I had a 2000 WS6 before moving to my Z06. It was gloss black, and was a bitch to keep clean. Other than that, I loved that car. I doesn't sound like you care about the performance part of the car, but I've heard bad things about Flowmaster (like they actually restrict airflow and decrease power). Sure, they sound nice, but so do a lot of others. Might as well get a good sound AND a little extra power out of it if you ask me! Personally, I had longtube headers, off-road Y pipe, and SLP Loudmouth II exhaust. Needless to say it was loud, haha. I loved it. I had a 6-speed, so it helped keep the noise down around town.

I loved that car, and the only reason I sold it was to move up to a Z06. I'll most likely pick up another WS6 when I get some more money and use it as the "beater" car. As others have said, LS1tech.com is the place to go for LSX information. That's where I learned all I know. 🙂

Yup a black WS6 is exactly what I'm looking at - love that crazy air scoop on the front, haha!
 
Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
PClark99, the fbodies 98 and up no longer have optisparks. Those went goodbye with the LT1 when they put in the LS1 in 98.


I did not know that, I haven't been into F bodies since I sold my 95 back in 97.
thats good to know because it was a frickin hassle when mine went bad. tow truck almost took off my front bumper. :frown:
 
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: alfa147x
are you looking to boost the power in anyway or is this all esthetics mods?

Nope, don't really care about power. V8 is...way more than enough for me. In all honesty I'm perfectly happy with my Saturn's 4-cylinder lol. This is just a fun cheap car, mainly to get to work and school.

Your profile says you live in Connecticut...I assume you will be keeping your Saturn as well, for winter / snow? I'm sure you know this already, but that Trans Am will be absolutely worthless in snow / ice. 🙁 I've gotten both my Trans Am and the BMW stuck in parking spaces before due to very small amounts of snow.

That said, the T/A is a great choice for a fun car 🙂 The drivetrains are pretty bulletproof, parts are cheap, and there's a great online community for repair diagnosis / advice or mods.

Yup Saturn is my wife's car. Would the TA be really bad even with all-weather tires?

I have all seasons on mine, and it still gets stuck in snow. Dedicated snows + some weight in the back would probably get you through winter without any problems though. I've done numerous winters in MI and New York with the T/A as my only car, and "managed," but did require a bit of help from time to time when the car didn't want to move through a parking lot.
 
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: alfa147x
are you looking to boost the power in anyway or is this all esthetics mods?

Nope, don't really care about power. V8 is...way more than enough for me. In all honesty I'm perfectly happy with my Saturn's 4-cylinder lol. This is just a fun cheap car, mainly to get to work and school.

Your profile says you live in Connecticut...I assume you will be keeping your Saturn as well, for winter / snow? I'm sure you know this already, but that Trans Am will be absolutely worthless in snow / ice. 🙁 I've gotten both my Trans Am and the BMW stuck in parking spaces before due to very small amounts of snow.

That said, the T/A is a great choice for a fun car 🙂 The drivetrains are pretty bulletproof, parts are cheap, and there's a great online community for repair diagnosis / advice or mods.

Yup Saturn is my wife's car. Would the TA be really bad even with all-weather tires?

I ran all-season tires for a couple years, but they just weren't up to task handling large storms here in New Hampshire. I switched to running winter tires and it is literally a world of difference. I can plod through up to 5" of snow with no problem at all, and above that it's only a problem because the nose of the car is plowing the snow at that point. I would normally just take a day or two off around big snowstorms with the all-seasons. After 5 years of running winter tires, the only reason I take time off during snowstorms now is to go snowboarding.

I've gotten both my Trans Am and the BMW stuck in parking spaces before due to very small amounts of snow.

I got plowed in at a strip mall once a couple years ago. 3 foot bank in front of my car, full size pickup parked behind it. I was able to push through the bank with minimal tire spin, made it look downright easy. Hell, it was downright easy. The next winter, the buddy that was with me that night bought winter tires for his WRX, and hasn't regretted it one bit.
 
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