Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 Birds of a feather flock together

If you could've changed the design of the 4th gen, what would you have done different

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Old 12-20-2013, 11:40 AM
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Default If you could've changed the design of the 4th gen, what would you have done different

I always hated that 90's rear bumper, how it stuck out so far. I would have designed it like the C5 or C6 corvette and had the rear flush.
Old 12-20-2013, 11:58 AM
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Make the windshield smaller. It's a pain in the butt to try to clean the entire front window. Also get rid of the hump for the cat converter on the passenger side. Overall I love the LS1 Firebirds.
Old 12-20-2013, 01:31 PM
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Invested in better quality plastics for the interior, especially the dash.
Better Front brakes, thats about it for me....
Old 12-20-2013, 02:35 PM
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Get rid of the ugly and bumpy ars wiper cowl, take the hood back to the windshield and hide the wipers like on a 2nd Gen F-body. Car would look so much smoother
Old 12-20-2013, 08:00 PM
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Eff the Opti!!! almost anything other then the opti!! dumbest design location every!
Old 12-20-2013, 08:20 PM
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Make them true duals from factory. Better designed front a-arms.

As far as exterior appearance, nothing really on the birds, camaros, i would give them a more aggressive front end. Ive never been a fan of the ls1 camaro headlights. They look ok with halos or whisper mod.

I dont like how the engines are way too deep into the engine bay either. It makes them harder to work on, but im not sure if changing that would mess with the car's weight distribution or other handling abilities.

EDIT, didnt know it was under firebird section. LS1 WS6 is one of the few cars that looks beautiful stock. Thats what makes it so hard for me to justify buying any exterior appearance mods.
Old 12-20-2013, 08:34 PM
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I guess this would go for all 4th gens not just firebirds. Sorta wish I would've modded a camaro then I could get the widebody kit.
Old 12-20-2013, 08:36 PM
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Continue them on from 2003-2009.

For 98+ models :
  • WS6 package integrated with the Trans Am package. Ram Air hood made standard on all Trans Ams.
  • Z28 and SS trims switch places. SS is now the base body with a V8 and parts to handle it. Z28 is now the better performer of the two.
  • Trans Ams and Camaro Z28 models get LS6s from 2001-2004 and LS2s from 2005-2009
  • All Trans Ams and Z28s get the 1LE suspension. The Formulas and SS's ( which is now the current 98-02 Z28 ) retain their original suspension.
  • 17'' wheels standard on all V8 models.
  • Better interior plastics and an upgraded diff.

      For all V6 models :
      • all V6 Camaros keep the 93-96 style tail lights and all V6 Firebirds keep the 93-97 style tail lights.

      As it is, the SS and WS6/Trans Ams really don't differ from Formulas and Z28s. Need more reason to buy the expensive ones other than bigger rims, a hood and a spoiler. Also, the Z28s and Formuals look exactly like their V6 counterparts save for exhaust tips and rims. That needs to be changed.

      Lastly, better quality electronics coughWINDOWMOTORScough and METAL HEADLIGHT MOTOR GEARS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

      Last edited by Kevin Lee 487; 12-20-2013 at 09:56 PM.
      Old 12-21-2013, 05:28 AM
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      -Move the cowl back to uncover the engine;
      -Duals;
      -Lighter weight T/A wing/tailgate hatch
      -Hardtop (non T-tops) available on T/A.
      Old 12-21-2013, 05:58 AM
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      Lt1 should have had a plastic guard that covered the opti from the waterpump.

      Firebird tails shouldn't grow mold.

      Camaro and Pontiac fill ins offered by gm

      Any other shock, ls cars need different spring

      Ttop shades made from plastic

      Camaros have different color interior lights
      Old 12-21-2013, 06:50 AM
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      Make the tilt wheel so it tilted up more, get rid of those bumps on the steering wheel at 10 & 2
      Old 12-21-2013, 06:59 AM
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      A better rearend in all models and years
      Old 12-21-2013, 10:21 PM
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      Factory catless, make the dash pad out of something else.
      Old 12-21-2013, 10:28 PM
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      Originally Posted by FIVEPOINT7
      Factory catless, make the dash pad out of something else.
      Without cats, these cars never would have been street legal. Don't know if you know this or not, but its been a US law since the 70s that all factory cars intended for street use absolutely MUST have at least 1 catalytic converter. Pointless in areas that don't require emissions testing but hey, I didn't make the law.
      Old 12-21-2013, 10:41 PM
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      better less cheesy plastic parts for the interior
      Some kind of shield to keep the water pump from leaking on the opti as stated earlier
      more 6 speed cars produced all years
      And better window motors!!
      Old 12-21-2013, 11:15 PM
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      400+ ci
      Old 12-21-2013, 11:19 PM
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      Better Rear end options (reason I got rid of my 3rd gen and got a G-body then I grab 442 rear end)

      Trunk Shocks improvement

      Theres some minor stuff. But other then that.... Im Happy. Just dont understand in an almost 20 year difference why my 87 camaro has the same 2 issues has my 2002
      Old 12-22-2013, 01:14 PM
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      Multi stage airbag so the steering wheel doesn't look like a crap filled diaper.
      Old 12-22-2013, 02:50 PM
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      Originally Posted by Paul Bell
      -Move the cowl back to uncover the engine;
      -Duals;
      -Lighter weight T/A wing/tailgate hatch
      -Hardtop (non T-tops) available on T/A.
      True duals.

      And either move the engine cowl back or the engine forward. Having half of the engine stuffed back under the windshield makes it too hard to work on. Vettes aren't like that, why are 4th gens?

      Firebirds/TAs do not have a grill and I really do not like the front air dam underneath that scrapes on every thing, even on a stock height car. Route the unused holes that are below the park lights to the radiator instead. Regarding those unused vent holes in the front end, they may be there so you can add aftermarket light or something, but the are not needed. They just suck water into your front lights. Either use them for some function or eliminate them.

      Stronger window motors and a higher quality of interior plastics.

      Longer front seat rails so the seat can go farther back. I am only 5'8" and my seat is almost all the way back, I can't imaging how a tall guy drives these cars, my wife is taller than me and she hates folding herself into the car.
      Old 12-22-2013, 03:49 PM
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      I would have designed them to not have:
      - cracked door panels
      - bubbling sail panel and roof
      - weak rear end


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