1996 Firebird Suggestions
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: West Plains, MO
1996 Firebird Suggestions Ok so I'm getting ready to sell my Camaro and buy my friends Firebird. Motor was rebuilt and it got a brand new racing clutch and exhaust 30xxx miles ago. It has 123xxx original miles. He want's $3700 for it. It's a 3.8 with a 5-speed, Flowmaster cat-back exhaust, stage 2 racing clutch, and has been bored .030 over. If I buy this car it will definitely need some modding to be done. What do you guys think? I know for sure I'm doing some appearance mods such as wheels, window tint, and blacked out lights. I was planning on headers. I'm not sure what else I could do without breaking down the motor. I had also planned on a Z-28 rear end with limited slip and 3.42 gears.
One question I have is how hard will it be to put LED lights in the gauge cluster and on the AC/Heat controls. Will it be "plug and play" or more in depth? I want the inside of this sucker to gleam at night.
Another question I have is what kind of appearance mods can be done to the front of the Firebird? I really don't like the way the front ends look on the 1993-1997 'birds. Ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Here are some pics.
One question I have is how hard will it be to put LED lights in the gauge cluster and on the AC/Heat controls. Will it be "plug and play" or more in depth? I want the inside of this sucker to gleam at night.
Another question I have is what kind of appearance mods can be done to the front of the Firebird? I really don't like the way the front ends look on the 1993-1997 'birds. Ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Here are some pics.
LEDs in the dash can be a plug-in affair and a search should help find a list.
For the appearance, I would get some better wheels, lower it, ram air hood, clear or smoke side/rear markers, 98+ taillights, remove sidemolding, tint and polish the hell out of it. I would also lose the front plate if you can and if the holes can be plugged.
Good luck!
For the appearance, I would get some better wheels, lower it, ram air hood, clear or smoke side/rear markers, 98+ taillights, remove sidemolding, tint and polish the hell out of it. I would also lose the front plate if you can and if the holes can be plugged.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: West Plains, MO
As for 98+ headlamps, that will require the whole front clip conversion, correct?
Edit: Nevermind. I just realized that it said tail lights. not head lights. Woops.
Edit: Nevermind. I just realized that it said tail lights. not head lights. Woops.
Last edited by Chaotic94; Dec 27, 2010 at 03:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: West Plains, MO
I don't want a v8. I'd rather have the 3.8. It's a v6 pride thing. Especially after it's done being modded and will be able to run a stock v8. IMO it's more satisfying to have a fast v6 than a fast v8.
h/o ill save the next narrow minded member the hassel dont forget corsa exhaust tips.... now ill get serious i would tint the side markers,wheels, i would remove the bird on the front but i like the super clean look other than that theres not to much you can do front wise besides paying way to much for a hood, i would deffnintly look into some different headlights the factory ones are super dim...also i wouldnt switch to the 98+ taillights i really dont see the appeal of the honeycomb but it wouldnt hurt to atleast switch to grids or tint the ones u have
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: West Plains, MO
h/o ill save the next narrow minded member the hassel dont forget corsa exhaust tips.... now ill get serious i would tint the side markers,wheels, i would remove the bird on the front but i like the super clean look other than that theres not to much you can do front wise besides paying way to much for a hood, i would deffnintly look into some different headlights the factory ones are super dim...also i wouldnt switch to the 98+ taillights i really dont see the appeal of the honeycomb but it wouldnt hurt to atleast switch to grids or tint the ones u have
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I don't blame you... if you want a v6 id go for it... if you do get it I have a full wings west body kit for that car. It will give it a real clean look. Just let me know.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: West Plains, MO
"About that price"? How close to it are you talking? How many miles on it?
I got my 99 Z28 for $4,000 so there are definitely better deals out there bro. Not trying to hate or anything, the V6's are..... pleasant....to drive, but I just wouldn't invest in that 96 unless you were extremely young and insurance would rape you on a V8. Good luck with whatever you decide to do though, hope you find something that you like and makes you happy.
I don't care how recent the rebuild is, it's a stock V6 hardtop '96 Firebird. It's not worth that much.
The V6 pride thing made me laugh. I know several people that have spent a ton modding V6 f-bodies, and in the end, they always wise up and get a car with a real motor. Unless it's an '89 Turbo T/A, why would you mod a V6 f-body? Yes it's different, but just because you CAN mod it, doesn't mean you should.
I don't understand why anyone would actually CHOOSE a 3.8 over an LT1/LS1.
Then get a better insurance company. I had a V8 when I was 18, despite several speeding tickets. Oh, and in case you didn't know, it costs just as much to insure a V6 Camaro as it does a Z28.
I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just playing devil's advocate. Do whatever you like; obviously it's all up to you, but if I were you, I'd at least explore other options.
The V6 pride thing made me laugh. I know several people that have spent a ton modding V6 f-bodies, and in the end, they always wise up and get a car with a real motor. Unless it's an '89 Turbo T/A, why would you mod a V6 f-body? Yes it's different, but just because you CAN mod it, doesn't mean you should.
I don't understand why anyone would actually CHOOSE a 3.8 over an LT1/LS1.
Then get a better insurance company. I had a V8 when I was 18, despite several speeding tickets. Oh, and in case you didn't know, it costs just as much to insure a V6 Camaro as it does a Z28.
I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just playing devil's advocate. Do whatever you like; obviously it's all up to you, but if I were you, I'd at least explore other options.