Chaotic94

Ok so I'm getting ready to sell my Camaro and buy my friends Firebird. Motor was rebuilt and it got a brand new racing clutch and exhaust 30xxx miles ago. It has 123xxx original miles. He want's $3700 for it. It's a 3.8 with a 5-speed, Flowmaster cat-back exhaust, stage 2 racing clutch, and has been bored .030 over. If I buy this car it will definitely need some modding to be done. What do you guys think? I know for sure I'm doing some appearance mods such as wheels, window tint, and blacked out lights. I was planning on headers. I'm not sure what else I could do without breaking down the motor. I had also planned on a Z-28 rear end with limited slip and 3.42 gears.

One question I have is how hard will it be to put LED lights in the gauge cluster and on the AC/Heat controls. Will it be "plug and play" or more in depth? I want the inside of this sucker to gleam at night.

Another question I have is what kind of appearance mods can be done to the front of the Firebird? I really don't like the way the front ends look on the 1993-1997 'birds. Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Here are some pics.

Blackbirdws6

iTrader: (7)

LEDs in the dash can be a plug-in affair and a search should help find a list.

For the appearance, I would get some better wheels, lower it, ram air hood, clear or smoke side/rear markers, 98+ taillights, remove sidemolding, tint and polish the hell out of it. I would also lose the front plate if you can and if the holes can be plugged.

Good luck!

Chaotic94

As for 98+ headlamps, that will require the whole front clip conversion, correct?

Edit: Nevermind. I just realized that it said tail lights. not head lights. Woops.

hitmanws6

iTrader: (20)

IMO keep looking, there are decent V8 LT1s going for that price

Chaotic94

I don't want a v8. I'd rather have the 3.8. It's a v6 pride thing. Especially after it's done being modded and will be able to run a stock v8. IMO it's more satisfying to have a fast v6 than a fast v8.

spikester7878

iTrader: (1)

h/o ill save the next narrow minded member the hassel dont forget corsa exhaust tips.... now ill get serious i would tint the side markers,wheels, i would remove the bird on the front but i like the super clean look other than that theres not to much you can do front wise besides paying way to much for a hood, i would deffnintly look into some different headlights the factory ones are super dim...also i wouldnt switch to the 98+ taillights i really dont see the appeal of the honeycomb but it wouldnt hurt to atleast switch to grids or tint the ones u have

Chaotic94

I had already planned on blacking out all the lights. The headlights already have super brights in them. They're pretty bright. Brighter than my Camaro lights at least lol. And like you said, I like the super clean look as well. Does the bird come off without hurting the paint? I don't have money for any kind of paint of body filler.

67goatman455

iTrader: (14)

ill sell you a 95 formula LT1 for about that price. with a brand new paint job. im in Kansas, so not a horrible drive for you

blk00phoenix

iTrader: (1)

I don't blame you... if you want a v6 id go for it... if you do get it I have a full wings west body kit for that car. It will give it a real clean look. Just let me know.

Chaotic94

How much are you asking for it? Pics?

"About that price"? How close to it are you talking? How many miles on it?

67goatman455

iTrader: (14)

im going to start asking $4000 for it. 150k, bone stock, 18" wheels, nice interior, brand new blue paintjob.

Chaotic94

Pics?

67goatman455

iTrader: (14)

its not painted yet. primer will be shot tomorrow. PM me if you want

Screamin_99

iTrader: (5)

I drive a 3.8.. 3700 for that car. No thanks; keep looking, its certainly not worth that much.

Chaotic94

30xxx on the motor and racing clutch. Full Flowmaster exhaust. He has over $1000 in the stereo too. Cars similar to that around here go for $4000-$5000

TechCam97

iTrader: (5)

I got my 99 Z28 for $4,000 so there are definitely better deals out there bro. Not trying to hate or anything, the V6's are..... pleasant....to drive, but I just wouldn't invest in that 96 unless you were extremely young and insurance would rape you on a V8. Good luck with whatever you decide to do though, hope you find something that you like and makes you happy.

Chaotic94

I'm 18. Insurance on my 3.4L is $120 a month just for liability.

TechCam97

iTrader: (5)

That sucks man. I'm 26 and only pay $20 a month for the Z. Keep your nose clean with tickets and your insurance will start to drop in your mid 20s, mine nosedived last year when I turned 25.

Chaotic94

Yeah it sucks. That's alright though. My insurance company refuses to insure a v8 in my name. They say it's high risk and they refuse to insure one.

SKZ28

iTrader: (2)

I don't care how recent the rebuild is, it's a stock V6 hardtop '96 Firebird. It's not worth that much.



The V6 pride thing made me laugh. I know several people that have spent a ton modding V6 f-bodies, and in the end, they always wise up and get a car with a real motor. Unless it's an '89 Turbo T/A, why would you mod a V6 f-body? Yes it's different, but just because you CAN mod it, doesn't mean you should.

I don't understand why anyone would actually CHOOSE a 3.8 over an LT1/LS1.



Then get a better insurance company. I had a V8 when I was 18, despite several speeding tickets. Oh, and in case you didn't know, it costs just as much to insure a V6 Camaro as it does a Z28.

I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just playing devil's advocate. Do whatever you like; obviously it's all up to you, but if I were you, I'd at least explore other options.