1999 firebird?
01-18-2010, 10:35 PM
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1999 firebird? i have been browsing the fourm for along time and finally joined. But i found a 1999 v6 firebird with a 3800 II motor in it. And i wanted to ask a few questions to people who knew about them. like are they easy to upgrade and does anyone make a turbo kit for them. also are the v6's decently fast with some upgrades? would love a v8 but im 17 so gas and insurance will leave me broke
01-18-2010, 11:10 PM
#3
don't know a ton about the v6's but there seems to be some aftermarket for them. i know there's a few turbo ones around here but not sure if they're custom kits or not. either way, a turbo kit is going to run you a lot of money, plus a trans/rear/tires to hold it.
on the bright side i hear those motors love nitrous, so you could look into that. much cheaper/easier than a turbo haha.
on the bright side i hear those motors love nitrous, so you could look into that. much cheaper/easier than a turbo haha.
01-19-2010, 10:53 AM
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I have had plenty of friends tell me nothing but good things about the 3800 especially the gas it gets if you find a 5 speed example.There are some pretty basic mods available for decent cash to give the car some life.
01-19-2010, 02:03 PM
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idkk about nitrous its way more than just getting a kit. you have to build the engine for it or else bye bye first bird. in all honesty tho, i would still go for ls1 and just get a quote from ur insurance company first before u choose a car bc of what may be ya kno? gas is not bad if u stay off throttle. i have a z28 and i think i do damn good for a 5.7 l. you could also do what my friend is doing and get a v6 body but swap motors out so when the insurance looks up vin it will show a v6? so something to think about. personally i heard 3800 series is junk. also i am 20 pay my OWN insurance with full coverage and have 4 points and only pay 150/month for my 2002 z28 so again get a quote first before pulling the trigger!!
01-19-2010, 04:01 PM
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idkk about nitrous its way more than just getting a kit. you have to build the engine for it or else bye bye first bird. in all honesty tho, i would still go for ls1 and just get a quote from ur insurance company first before u choose a car bc of what may be ya kno? gas is not bad if u stay off throttle. i have a z28 and i think i do damn good for a 5.7 l. you could also do what my friend is doing and get a v6 body but swap motors out so when the insurance looks up vin it will show a v6? so something to think about. personally i heard 3800 series is junk. also i am 20 pay my OWN insurance with full coverage and have 4 points and only pay 150/month for my 2002 z28 so again get a quote first before pulling the trigger!!
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01-19-2010, 05:03 PM
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alot of people do this to keep the insurance down now dont hurt yourself 
01-19-2010, 07:41 PM
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You obviously would be better off dropping a V8 into the car than modding a 3.8. If you would truly be stuck with modding the V6 I think you should keep it to bolt on's & maybe nitrous.
02-01-2010, 06:01 PM
#12
Honestly, the 3800 is an amazing engine for durability, gas mileage, and even puts out enough power to at least have fun.
If I were you, i'd just get it and have fun with suspension modifications. It's still an fbody after all, get some ok shocks/springs/sways and and have fun with it. They do also make supporting 3800 mods (cams, turbo kits, exhaust) that would be cool, but maybe kind of stupid to spend a ton of money on a v6
However, without spending too much money, you'd still have a 200+ hp car that'd be fun in the corners and be a comfortable and economical daily driver, especially with the 5-speed.
If I were you, i'd just get it and have fun with suspension modifications. It's still an fbody after all, get some ok shocks/springs/sways and and have fun with it. They do also make supporting 3800 mods (cams, turbo kits, exhaust) that would be cool, but maybe kind of stupid to spend a ton of money on a v6
However, without spending too much money, you'd still have a 200+ hp car that'd be fun in the corners and be a comfortable and economical daily driver, especially with the 5-speed.
02-01-2010, 06:20 PM
#13
I have a 3.8 Camaro and the Z28 Camaro and honestly, I like my 3.8 camaro better...Sure the z28 is way faster... but my 3.8 seems to drive overall better....
Also, if you can get lucky, you can custom build almost any turbo setup to work with a 3.8. Even twin Turbos, Problem is, it get's pricey. Also with a 100 shot of nitrous, and full exhaust you should be pretty close to an LS1 with the edge going slightly to the 3.8 depending on your setup and driving skills. Of course if the LS1 has any mods at all, you will still lose, but 80 percent of all the LS1's out their are pretty much stock, until you come to this site and about 20 percent are still stock.....
IMO if you have the cash to do this or do it in pieces, find an old GNX and get the turbo setup from that, or maybe even one of the turbo's from the Turbo Trans Ams. Build you some plumbing for it, and take it to a shop to have them get it tuned and all the little things worked out...
The bottom ends of the 3.8's I have heard can hold up to about 450 hp... which is plenty fast enough if you do all your setups right. Biggest problem with adding hp though, is if you have the 2 piece driveshaft, that's going to be a major weak link in the setup...
Go for the 3.8......A firebird is a firebird... IMO the engine doesn't make the car.....or shouldn't, the car should stand alone for what it is...
Also, if you can get lucky, you can custom build almost any turbo setup to work with a 3.8. Even twin Turbos, Problem is, it get's pricey. Also with a 100 shot of nitrous, and full exhaust you should be pretty close to an LS1 with the edge going slightly to the 3.8 depending on your setup and driving skills. Of course if the LS1 has any mods at all, you will still lose, but 80 percent of all the LS1's out their are pretty much stock, until you come to this site and about 20 percent are still stock.....
IMO if you have the cash to do this or do it in pieces, find an old GNX and get the turbo setup from that, or maybe even one of the turbo's from the Turbo Trans Ams. Build you some plumbing for it, and take it to a shop to have them get it tuned and all the little things worked out...
The bottom ends of the 3.8's I have heard can hold up to about 450 hp... which is plenty fast enough if you do all your setups right. Biggest problem with adding hp though, is if you have the 2 piece driveshaft, that's going to be a major weak link in the setup...
Go for the 3.8......A firebird is a firebird... IMO the engine doesn't make the car.....or shouldn't, the car should stand alone for what it is...
02-01-2010, 06:37 PM
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I got my V6 Firebird when I was 17, I am 22 now and I honestly love my car like no other. I agree with baalic, a firebird is still a firebird and an fbody period. Sure, I would love to own an LS1 but Im going to throw that in my bird down the road. As far as mods go, I wouldn't spend too much if you plan on swapping out later, Im throwing on some headers in a few weeks and I have a flowmaster exhaust and I'll be pleased.
02-01-2010, 07:24 PM
#15
Get the 3800 V6 and enjoy the car... When I was 17 I was stupid... I probably would have killed myself or someone else with the 5.8L - that is not to say you are, just sayin. That car will still have a lot of power b/c that is a solid 6... I have driven that engine in an oldsmobile (i believe it was the same basic engine) and was quite impressed. Save yourself some money on the gas and insurance... and stay safe!
02-02-2010, 12:59 PM
#16
Get the 3800 V6 and enjoy the car... When I was 17 I was stupid... I probably would have killed myself or someone else with the 5.8L - that is not to say you are, just sayin. That car will still have a lot of power b/c that is a solid 6... I have driven that engine in an oldsmobile (i believe it was the same basic engine) and was quite impressed. Save yourself some money on the gas and insurance... and stay safe!
*cough 5.7 cough*
