Big D's Z28

Hey all. Haven't been here in a while since I sold my 01 Z28 a few years ago and have missed it ever since.

I have a chance to pick up a 93 Formula Firebird for next to nothing. Pretty straight and rust free but it has 262k highway miles. The car runs great, and still smokes the tires at will. Optispark was just replaced.

My question is, if I get this car, what are the wear items I should look out for? I really don't know much about what has been replaced on it, so I would appreciate any recommendations you all might have. Thanks in advance.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

What's "next to nothing?" Is it an m6 or a4?

Cominus

I'm assuming a grand, if he paid more he got robbed

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

Same weak spots as any LS1 car really. Decarbon shocks are easy to wear out, especially with that mileage.

93M6Formula

The highway miles were probably easier on the suspension components but it's hard to say what it would need until you drive it.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

I'd budget in outer tie rods, upper and lower ball joints, shocks, control arm bushings, and motor mounts at least.

Big D's Z28

$500 and it is an A4.

93M6Formula

Thats pretty decent. I'd definitely service that trans though.

93M6Formula

93-02 f-bodys dont have upper ball joints but otherwise yes, all that stuff.

jaycenk

iTrader: (1)

Say what???



3rd gens don't have uppers.

96lt1m6

iTrader: (31)

They sure do, I have replaced them....
http://www.classicindustries.com/ima...g/c/cta32a.jpg

Who really cares how much the car was purchased for if OP is happy that's all that matters. Car runs good mod it and have fun.

93M6Formula

Son of a bitch.... I was thinking of my 3rd gen..
My bad, Havent pulled the front wheels off my car in awhile and i forgot lol.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

I'd change every fluid and poke with your finger every bushing and ball joint and tie rod to see if any are torn. Do fresh ngk tr55 plugs and let her rip. shocks would be a huge help too, I suggest bilstein hds.

Big D's Z28

Thanks guys. I gave him what the junk yard was going to give him for it. Actually pretty sad that he was going to junk it because it really is not in that bad of shape. It needs a good cleaning and going over, but it could be a decent driver.

I think the trans was replaced, but will check when I get it this weekend. Even if the engine blew up on the way home, a rebuilt 700R4 trans is easily worth the $500 I paid for the whole car.

Big D's Z28

Thanks! I will check all that when I get it.

Big D's Z28

I should be picking up the Firebird this week. The current owner told me that he replaced the original Opti Spark when the car just died a couple of months ago and wouldn't restart. He replaced it with an aftermarket unit and since then it has been intermittently cutting out. The computer code reader said that it was Quad Driver Failure?

Anyone know what that means? Is the computer in need of replacement? Is the aftermarket Opti Spark defective? Any thoughts?

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

Aftermarket opti's are absolute garbage 99% of the time. Replace it (correctly) with an oem unit.

englundjd

its prolly a bad aftermarket opti.... the aftermarket opti's have a bad reputation for being junk. but i would check the ignition components out and the fuel pressure

LT11996

The sad thing is that if you put a quality optispark on the car, you'll pay nearly as much for that as what you're paying for the car. Hopefully that will solve the it's problems. Post up some pics of her when you get a chance! Good luck with her

AdsoYo

iTrader: (1)

The water pumps like to be problematic. I see a lot of threads on low coolant sensor, air bag DERM module, coolant temp sensor, vibrations from the drive shaft... that's all I can think of right now