Project V6 Firebird
Project V6 Firebird Figured I'd post up what I've been working on over the past few months. I'm not wanting to get into the debate as to why I'm modding a V6 or why an LSx would be faster etc. etc. I prefer having a good discussion, but you don't have to beat me over the head with an LSx stick.
Not doing this to set records, just make the original engine a bit better and get some more life out of it before I move on to something else after I get my degree. I'm doing this to get my feet wet, and this engine is known to be able to take a beating. I've never torn apart an engine until this and I'm making sure it is done right.
2000 Pontiac Firebird
Torn down at 140K miles initially planning to replace a leaking intake gasket and install a cam.
Before the teardown the only performance mods the car had were:
Longtube headers
TSP Catback
Lid
Aluminum DS
Dyno'd 169hp & 184tq on a mustang dyno before I pulled it apart. Engine really was showing its age:
As you can see, the oil sludge was pretty bad. I changed with synthetic oil almost religiously on this car, but I have a feeling that the original 60K miles in only 2 years from the previous owner didn't help much. I have a feeling they might have skimped on oil changes here and there. Heck I had to have the trans rebuilt a month after I bought it.
Not doing this to set records, just make the original engine a bit better and get some more life out of it before I move on to something else after I get my degree. I'm doing this to get my feet wet, and this engine is known to be able to take a beating. I've never torn apart an engine until this and I'm making sure it is done right.
2000 Pontiac Firebird
Torn down at 140K miles initially planning to replace a leaking intake gasket and install a cam.
Before the teardown the only performance mods the car had were:
Longtube headers
TSP Catback
Lid
Aluminum DS
Dyno'd 169hp & 184tq on a mustang dyno before I pulled it apart. Engine really was showing its age:
As you can see, the oil sludge was pretty bad. I changed with synthetic oil almost religiously on this car, but I have a feeling that the original 60K miles in only 2 years from the previous owner didn't help much. I have a feeling they might have skimped on oil changes here and there. Heck I had to have the trans rebuilt a month after I bought it.
Last edited by WarShrike; Jan 6, 2010 at 03:10 PM.
So I decided to have the whole assembly cleaned, had the rotating assembly and everything taken care of, and sent the intake and heads to be ported some (just to liven it up) clean it up, tap it for the new rockers and mill the guides to allow for higher lift.
Here's the mod list so far:
Aluminum driveshaft
Whisper lid & K&N (K&N is good for +100hp right?
)
Force Fed Fabs stainless longtube headers
Texas Speed & Performance Rumbler catback
32mm front and 19mm rear swaybars
Intense Racing S1X NA Cam: 212º/216º .556"/.546" 113º LSA (Profile with 1.7 ratio rockers)
60*Inclusive hand ported heads and intake
Yella Terra 1.7 platinum roller rockers
TCI Super Street Fighter 3800 stall
UMI LCA's, PHB
PA Racing Tubular K-member
HPTuner suite
Where it sits now, waiting on pushrods and valve covers:
Here's the mod list so far:
Aluminum driveshaft
Whisper lid & K&N (K&N is good for +100hp right?
)Force Fed Fabs stainless longtube headers
Texas Speed & Performance Rumbler catback
32mm front and 19mm rear swaybars
Intense Racing S1X NA Cam: 212º/216º .556"/.546" 113º LSA (Profile with 1.7 ratio rockers)
60*Inclusive hand ported heads and intake
Yella Terra 1.7 platinum roller rockers
TCI Super Street Fighter 3800 stall
UMI LCA's, PHB
PA Racing Tubular K-member
HPTuner suite
Where it sits now, waiting on pushrods and valve covers:
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Hah, I might get your cam only time, but not your nitrous time, especially at this altitude. I'll be happy to break low 14's, but small steps. I've gotta get it running proper and tuned first.
You're in modded LS1 territory in our area with that 100 shot lol!
You're in modded LS1 territory in our area with that 100 shot lol!
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I don't have the money to do it the right way. If I can't do it right the first time, it isn't going to happen.
Here's what I'd do if I did:
GT35R or two if I can flow enough to run them.
Water to air intercooler (if there is room in the bay)
Lower compression pistons
Dual 255lph pump setup or a single aeromotive setup
Proper injectors to meet the fuel demand
forward flowing manifolds (easier now with tubular k-member)
Lower stall as the TCI 3800 wouldn't do well with a boosted application (it has been tried by previous owner) and build the auto to at least a stage 2.
I would also need to get a new set of cylinder heads as these have been milled, the 3800 head doesn't have alot of meat so even with ARP head studs I could start popping head gaskets pretty quick with the higher cylinder pressure.
I already have suspension components and all supporting stuff knocked out, so going turbocharged in the future could be in the pipe.
Here's what I'd do if I did:
GT35R or two if I can flow enough to run them.
Water to air intercooler (if there is room in the bay)
Lower compression pistons
Dual 255lph pump setup or a single aeromotive setup
Proper injectors to meet the fuel demand
forward flowing manifolds (easier now with tubular k-member)
Lower stall as the TCI 3800 wouldn't do well with a boosted application (it has been tried by previous owner) and build the auto to at least a stage 2.
I would also need to get a new set of cylinder heads as these have been milled, the 3800 head doesn't have alot of meat so even with ARP head studs I could start popping head gaskets pretty quick with the higher cylinder pressure.
I already have suspension components and all supporting stuff knocked out, so going turbocharged in the future could be in the pipe.
Something cool I found comparing an OEM pickup vs. a Melling:
Larger shroud:
Slightly larger port size, matches block port size perfectly at around 10/16" where the stock size is just shy of 9/16"
And, do you think anybody will notice something odd when I pop my hood? Other than the obligatory, "Wait this isn't a V8?"
Larger shroud:
Slightly larger port size, matches block port size perfectly at around 10/16" where the stock size is just shy of 9/16"
And, do you think anybody will notice something odd when I pop my hood? Other than the obligatory, "Wait this isn't a V8?"
Step 1, assemble front k-member and suspension components:
Step 2, begin mating dance and observe proper language to adhere to the ceremony and not take away from the moment:
Step 3, bring mated pair to their new cradle and allow them to consummate their marriage:
Step 2, begin mating dance and observe proper language to adhere to the ceremony and not take away from the moment:
Step 3, bring mated pair to their new cradle and allow them to consummate their marriage:
Pushrods are supposed to be in tomorrow, won't be able to touch it though as I have work till 10pm and class the following morning, so maybe Wed. night we can get it together and I'll spend some time the next morning putting it all in the car 
Installed headers and just started test fitting things with the new valve covers, gonna have to bend some stuff lol!
Test fit on the wideband, gotta find the right power hookup for it. Already ran the wire and tapped into the EGR line so I can get WB readings in HPT.
Installed headers and just started test fitting things with the new valve covers, gonna have to bend some stuff lol!
Test fit on the wideband, gotta find the right power hookup for it. Already ran the wire and tapped into the EGR line so I can get WB readings in HPT.
Whew, busy freaking day. Had to stay till 11 when I was slated for 8pm clockout. One of our techs got food poisoning after eating at McDonalds. So my anticipated rolling of the Firebird into the garage has to wait until tomorrow morning.
Time to attach the sensors to the wire loom, install injectors, run the lines for the trans cooler and PS cooler, install driveshaft, put on crank pulley bolt, etc. etc.
I also need to pick up shorter bolts for the k-member as the long ones are just place holders right now. I need 4 of the same length as the bolts found on the furthest to the rear of the k.
So, without further adieu, I give you pics:
9:30 AM
Started clearing a path to the car, half the bay is filled with the old OEM parts.
10:00 AM
10:15 AM
10:45 AM
11:00 AM Fighting a heavy engine and trans with a jack up front that keeps slipping down the smooth tubular K-member proves to be very challenging to line up.
2:00 PM Time to shower up and head to work.
Time to attach the sensors to the wire loom, install injectors, run the lines for the trans cooler and PS cooler, install driveshaft, put on crank pulley bolt, etc. etc.
I also need to pick up shorter bolts for the k-member as the long ones are just place holders right now. I need 4 of the same length as the bolts found on the furthest to the rear of the k.
So, without further adieu, I give you pics:
9:30 AM
Started clearing a path to the car, half the bay is filled with the old OEM parts.
10:00 AM
10:15 AM
10:45 AM
11:00 AM Fighting a heavy engine and trans with a jack up front that keeps slipping down the smooth tubular K-member proves to be very challenging to line up.
2:00 PM Time to shower up and head to work.
Thanks Myk, it's been a lot of work. It is also my first full on hardcore engine build so I've learned alot in the process. It has tried my patience a good bit too, but things are finally coming together.
