Only_1LT1

Hi guys, noob here..

I am looking at buying a 1996 Firebird Formula, 4 speed auto with the LT1 engine. One owner, 85k miles, looks pretty clean except for the usual wear.

I just want a cool summer cruiser/great looking car and store it for the winter.

Thinking the usual mods; cold air intake, heads/cam, long tube headers, high flow cats, SLP loud mouth 1, 3200 high stall torque converter 3.73 gears, light weight driveshaft. I am a general line tech (services, oil changes, factory recalls, basic repairs) with a few motor rebuilds/swaps under my belt, so I'll be doing the work. No super tech by any means though, more like a 2nd year tech rofl

Once I get done with that, I want a full WS6 body kit with classic bullet deep dish 19 inch rims and a jet black paint job

Not looking to hit low 11's or anything in this car, but what kind of times would I be looking at with the above mods plus a nice set of MT ET Streets on 17 inch rims?

low 12's, possibly 12.2@110mph??

englundjd

I'd say anywhere from low 12's to mid 11's if your doing a heads/cam car

You'll need a tune

Only_1LT1

Damn... mid 11's?!

That would be pretty awesome. (-:

How are tunes handled with these cars? I have all my tunes from my other car datalogged and fine tuned via email with DiabloSport.

I am assuming it's the same way (??)

lt1needingboost

iTrader: (8)

I used to run a similar set up to urs but mine had exhaust cutouts. However heads/cam is very vague i had a 230/600/112 w ported and polished heads roughly 185 w 2" and 1.6" valves, beehives, and 1.6rr and i averaged 12.3-12.6 so i think ur 12.2 is probably possible but mid 11s maybe ........ doubtful but depends on the actual numbers of heads and cam. But good luck with ur build and welcome to the dysfunctional lt1 family.

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

Btw, a ws6 "bodykit" would just be a ram air hood

BOOSTED AFR

Unless he wants to be a Trans Am WS.6 and not just a Formula Firebird WS.6. He would then need a front bumper and sideskirts in addition to the Ram Air hood. If he wants it to be functional he'll need a Ram Air intake tract and air box as well.

marc97taws6

iTrader: (6)

I'm a fan of lt1 formula ws6 looks. As most will likely end up saying, check out advanced induction and eliottsportworks (sp?) for your h/c setup.

Have fun!

If my old full weight/dynomatted bolt-on lt1 ws6 could manage 13.024@103.33 in 2700 da on worn 275/40/17's, I think you will enjoy a h/c model

Only_1LT1

Thanks

Not sure what combo I will be doing. I'll have to chat with advanced inductions as well as do some more reading on here. Most I want to do is a bolt on NA set up and that's about it. Not trying to go overboard; stroker, blower etc.

Are the four speed autos pretty stout? I was thinking about those trans go shift kit and a valve body upgrade along with everything else..

That's exactly the look I am going for. Not trying to be a poser or anything but I just really like the way those cars look!

Only problem is trying to find all those parts. No luck so far. First thing I want to do is the full body kit and new paint job. Then rims and interior.

Same here.. I have always wanted a Firebird/Trans AM WS6. I actually want the 02+ body style, but they are out of my price range.

I'd be content with 13.0 with long tubes, intake and a tune honestly. Maybe a little lower with a higher stall converter, gears and a Bias ply racing tire...

Only_1LT1

PS
is there anything I should know about and fix in the 1996 Firebird Formula first?

Maintenance wise? Electrical issues etc.

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

Just making it look like a ws6 doesn't require any trans am parts. I'm just getting at the fact that most people think "ws6=trans am, and trans am parts" when that's not the case. All the ws6 package essentially is is a functional ram air hood, a larger front sway bar, and 17" wheels on an LT1 car.

lt1needingboost

iTrader: (8)

I think ur going in a good direction as far as ai or le as for are autos wellllllllll i wld definately consider putting a build kit in to it they do have certain parts that are suspect. I see ur a mechanic u are going to know if u could do something like that if not get a reputable shop do it for you . I beleive there are nice build kits out there for ard $300 . good luck