SR-71 Blackbird

Well I recently purchased a 1999 Firebird Formula with 152,000 miles for $4,500. Its black with t-tops and an auto, and is in very good shape. Not for sure how I did as far as price is concerned. I'm looking to do some work to this car but am kinda nervous about putting parts on a motor with this kind of milage. Should I just drive it until I can afford a complete motor swap or would some bolt on's make the drive funner or a waste of money! Thanks in advance, by the way great site and these are great cars. I'm just a tad nervous about dumping all kinds of money into a car with thish kind of miles.

A little about my intentions for this car. It will be by weekend driver when the weather is nice with the occasional 200 mile trip. We can call it a street/strip car with but does need to be streetable any advise is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for any advise in advance!

Raleigh TA

iTrader: (13)

Welcome! My last LS1 car was totaled with 225000 on the odo and still ran strong! I would say if the motor is sound now, typical bolt-ons should be no problem, but I am not a fan of putting NOS on a motor that has not be rebuilt. Nice thing is that almost whatever you buy for bolt-on for this motor will be capable of being transferred to a newer LS1 or perhaps one of the more popular choices that folks replace stockers with.

SR-71 Blackbird

Awesome, I appreciate the input. I think I'm going to do a little more research before pulling the trigger but the bolt on game is in the near future! For the possible upgrade in the future I was looking at one of the TSP 383 set ups, so most of the stuff would be a clean swap!

bad_408_vert

iTrader: (6)

I'd say drive it with bolt ons until you build a lq9 block.

Without knowing condition of engine I wouldn't do any power adders.

6898camaross

This is the best thing you can do. Read Read Read Read and more Reading.

Reckless

iTrader: (9)

Read and learn! If you don't have an aftermarket torque converter, they are one of the first mods for an Auto car for driving fun. But you will burn through tires faster!

SR-71 Blackbird

Thanks for the info, this is a great site! As far as a torque converter change, would that be a bad idea with the stock cam?

LS1WS6dreamer

iTrader: (1)

People swap torque converters with stock cams all the time. Prolly a good idea to install a trans cooler to. Do a lot of reading on here and it will save you money and time. For cheap power grab a lid and ported and polished throttle body. The two bigger bolt ons are long tube headers and since you have a 99 I would put a BBK or LS6 intake on. Maybe even a FAST if you plan on going heads and cam later. See Frost for a mail order tune after the headers. Lower Control Arms if you have really bad wheel hop. Enjoy your car!!!

raptorblackBird

<<<What 6898 said. This place will have u educated because of all the various topics encompassed. Ive got 6 Camaros, 2 TransAms, and a C5. Let everbodie's collective experience save u time and money. But PLEASE dont buy upgrades without having a clear picture of what you're after in the end. Sometimes the sum of the parts wont add up to what u thought

LS1TA_956

iTrader: (1)

Welcome my friend just did a cam and stall on his 196,xxx mile. bolt on trans am and runs strong. I sold my 98 T/A with 202,xxx and i would take it to the track almost every weekend.......... it was still running strong

pferris

iTrader: (2)

Remember gm motors will run for ever. mine has $200000 miles and runnig stron. only thing not original in the motor is the oil.

pferris

iTrader: (2)

i also changed the coolant.

NVUSZ28

iTrader: (5)

152xxx miles is good for a 13 year old car. I would rebuild the motor, depending on how deep your pockets go. Bolt-ons are great for any motor, they make 'em run more efficient and you get a little more hp in the process.