Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 - Power adder HELP

Upgrading is a hard thing... Where should i start. Well Im looking at mid 400 rwhp range and so far Im looking at the Patriot Stage 2 LS6 Heads and cam package. But ive been hearing that the rearend is to weak and that you need a higher Stall like a 3500. Im looking at installing things slowly, like maybe headers and exhaust one month and then heads and cam the next with a lid and filter. But Will my rearend and transmission be able to take the power very long. I hope to have everything done within a year or 2 years. So what do you guys think?? Do I really need a higher Stall converter at the moment when i get the heads and cam and also need a little help with the ignition and fuel part too... do i need bigger fuel injectors and also do i need a custom PCM made or will a programmer work?? Im sure all this stuff has been talked about and Im sorry but im getting told many things.

If you have a stock stall, I would recommend getting the higher one with the tranny cooler. For questions about your auto tranny (IDK know their threshold) I would go to the automatic section of this forum.

You will be easily in the 400-450 RWHP range with Exhaust,Lid, other bolt-ons, H/C. It just depends on the H/C.

The rear-ends on these cars suck; plain and simple. The autos hold up a little better because of the automatic tranny, but they still suck. I would not put sticky tires on these if you have the stock 10-bolt. They were made for the S-10 truck, not a 400 RWHP F-body.

-Todd

I agree with 'gloveperson' in that, with a 3500 stall TC and sticky tires at a high RPM launch you are looking to do damage to the stock rearend.

Look into something stronger for the dragstrip like a 12 bolt.

A stall and headers would be a great start. I have the 2800 Vigilante and it took off .5 tenths on my 1/4 mile time. Excellent daily driving stall.