Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

I am not by all means a guy who sees a car and wants its for only its looks, Ive been a Trans-Am/FireBird fan since I was probably 8 years old. Now Im 18 and looking to get my first FireBird and I found one, its a 1996 FireBird black in colour fully loaded automatic V6, but the only thing I dont like about it is the front clip/bumper I find its to pointy looking and I got looking at it and started comparing it to the 1998 and up Trans-Am and it looks like the front clips would bolt right up in place of each other, Am I wrong in assuming that the clip off a 1998+ trans am will fit on this 96 or is this not possible?thanks guys

Zach

P.S. In the future I plan to get rid of the V6 and drop in a turbo charged LS1/LS2 408 stroker so this Firebird will NOT be full of all appearance upgrades.

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

See my Miscellaneous Sticky at the top of this forum...there's a thread in there on front end conversions.

Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

sorry I didnt see that,thanks

Zach

lomaximumta

iTrader: (5)

If at all possible try to get a 98+ first. They are about double the price of the LT1's but you would be much happier with the LS1. I know sometimes funds and insurance don't help...

Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

Fund are my problem right now Im only 18, my insurance is really cheap though even for a trans-am/z28 around 1998 its about 160 a month, but plain and simple the funds arent there, the cheapiest 98+ trans-am I found near hear is around $12,000 Canadian/ $10,300 U.S.

PontiacFan

iTrader: (104)

You should keep lookin', ..., You can find nice 98+ V8 cars for that much money, ...
In the long run, it'll be worth it.

Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

ok so I should be able to get a 98+trans-am for around 10 grand? What should I try and avoid when looking for one, any specific model or year? What should I look at when looking at one example, potential problems, years with more power, etc?

lomaximumta

iTrader: (5)

def. take your time and find a 98+. It will be the best decision you will ever make. Starting off with the LS1 reliability and 40+ rwhp extra is a good thing.

Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

Thanks will do. Is there any other differences between the Trans-am/Firebirds with the V8 then the Firebirds with the V6 besides the V8? Ex, stiffer suspesion bigger rims etc? Because I can get a 98 V6 Firebird for about $6000

bandit12

Your gonna have a lot of issues trying to make a 96 bird into a 98+ with a V8. Wiring, computer, rear end (I think it is different) and maybe some other minor modifications.

You will save yourself a lot of time, money and headaches by getting an LS1 TA/Formula first. As far as the funds go, you may not be as far at getting one as you think. When I first read your thread, I thought insurance was the problem. But you said it wasn't.

If your planning on financing, here are some numbers I did. First of all you will have more trouble getting a loan on a 96 versus a 98 or newer. Also a 96-99, most lenders will probably only let you have a 36 month term. You should be able to get 48 month on 00-01 and 60 months on a 02. Since your young, probably don't have much of a credit history and the age of the vehicle, your probably going to be looking at 8-10% interest. Also credit unions not banks will give the best deals.

For example, lets say you find a

-96 V6 $5,000

-98 V8 $8,000

-00 V8 $12,000

-02 V8 $16,000

If your shopping what a payment would be (like most people do and never let a dealer know that), here is what the payments would look like on those listed above.

-96 V6 $5,000 36 mo 10% = $161 mo

-98 V8 $8,000 36 mo 10% = $258 mo

-00 V8 $12,000 48 mo 10% = $304 mo

-02 V8 $16,000 60 mo 10% = $340 mo

Yes you will pay more in interest the longer it is financed, but you will pay tons more trying to do a conversion.

Lets say you were gonna pay for that 96 by cash. Lets apply that $5,000 as a down payment and apply the same financing..

-96 Paid for but now you gotta wait to for funds to mod it???

-98 V8 $3,000 = $96 mo

-00 V8 $7,000 = $177 mo

-02 V8 $11,000 = $234 mo

no mods needed on the 98-02 since you already have the front end and V8.

So you can see, it won't kill you financially as much as you thought to go ahead and get that V8 now. I can assure you that you will spend a lot more money converting a V6 to a V8 and changing the front end. Also, if your like most people, your income is gonna go up not down. Good luck with your purchase.

Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

Wow very informative according to your post money would be tight if I got an 02 but if I got a 98 it wouldnt be to bad, thanks alot! Im going to start looking for a 98 V8 and by the way just as you said my bank IS a Credit Union and interest right now is I think is 8%

bandit12

Good deal...be sure to post some pics when you get it.

JD_AMG

Suspension is stiffer, different wheels/tires, LSD, leather (optional on Formula), different transmission/rest of drivetrain.

99FormulaM6

iTrader: (21)

where are you located ?

Chevy Cowboy

iTrader: (5)

New Brunswick, Canada. Just above main