V6 98 - 02 Bird Specs
07-06-2010, 03:38 PM
#2
Looks like the options were pretty stable through those years. Only things worth noting it that there were 0 M5 'verts built in '02. And it appears GM liked to use V6 coupes to try out next year's paint:
Only Maple Red Metallic Firebirds built in '99 were 14 V6 coupes.
Only Sunset Orange Metallic Firebirds built in '00 were 10 V6 coupes.
These were probably pre-production test cars that never reached the public.......... or maybe they did.
Only Maple Red Metallic Firebirds built in '99 were 14 V6 coupes.
Only Sunset Orange Metallic Firebirds built in '00 were 10 V6 coupes.
These were probably pre-production test cars that never reached the public.......... or maybe they did.
07-12-2010, 09:15 PM
#3
1998 was the exterior redesign, and the intake system on the V6 was changed to a lid setup similar to the LS1. The intake manifold continued to have the angle leading to the throttle body. Rear springs were standardized across the line as were the brakes (ie they shared these parts with the V8 cars). Front spring rate increased, although it was less than in the V8 cars. Sway bar diameter was reduced to compensate for increased spring rate. Since all V6's had the same disc brakes all around as the V8s, Y87 performance package now only included the V8 ratio steering rack, LSD, and 3.42 gears for automatics (manuals were always equiped with 3.23s), and a dual outlet muffler.
1999 - the intake manifold was redesigned and was straight. The throttle body was changed to incorporate drive by wire. One piece steel driveshaft replaces previous two piece unit. Zexel-Torsen LSD replaces Auburn unit in Y87 package. Interestingly, some automatic cars begin to show up with 3.42 performance axle ratio without Y87.
2000 - Tubular exhaust manifolds introduced. They flowed better than previous L36 exhaust manifolds. There were more automatics that got 3.42 rear gears without Y87 and some that got 3.42 and Torsen LSD without Y87 as no cost options (my old 2000 V6 was such a car). Don't know why this happened unless they just had extra V8 6 speed axles laying around.
2001 - Pretty much the same as 2000.
2002 - Don't think there were any changes here either.
