91 Firebird advice please!

[91blackbird]

hey all,
I just bought a 91 firebird, I finally done with the little stuff, painted, sound system, and getting the bugs out. Now I'm wondering if i shoould work on souping up the 3.1 or save up and drop a V8 in their and how much that mught cost any help/advice would be appreciated.
Thanx

[Pathogen]

Doing a swap is long, tedious, and expensive, but I believe possible with the 3.1

Of course I'm going to recommend that you stay with your 3.1 and just start moding whenever you see fit. ;)

Bolt-ons are the easiest way to go, but you can't beat building up your motor.

[ravenp]

I would have to suggest throwing in an 8. The 305 is okay, if you can get a high output, but a base 305 is gutless(you are better off putting in a 3800).

350's will bolt in any 3rd gen fbody just as easily... and they're not much these days.

That's how i'd go.

Visit www.thirdgen.org and their message board. There are tons of helpful people on there, many of whom have done this.

ps... i know because my wife drives an 84 z28 with a 305 [img]smile.gif[/img]

[91blackbird]

BUMP/help!
-thanx

[Pathogen]

Hey, Im' gonna bump this over to the third gen forum . . . there may be more help for ya there ;)

---->> whooosh!

[91Firebird]

I'm going to have to agree with Pathogen, I would stick with the 3.1 and mod it. If you are really set on having a V8, then I would suggest modding your V6 for now and save up for a trans am/formula later (but keep the V6 too). It might actually be about the same price to just buy a V8 third gen rather than to swap engines. I just did a quick search at autotrader and third gen trans ams go for about $2,500 - $4,000, I'm sure formulas are even cheaper. It can also be difficult to get approved for an engine swap if you live in a state with strict smog emissions like here in CA. And would you have a second car to use while the 91 firebird is getting the engine swap?

I should also mention that the 3.1 is a very reliable motor, I've heard of them running well past 200,000 miles. Mine has 140,000 miles right now and rarely gives me any problems, and on top of that, I drive it pretty hard.

Another point that turned me away from swapping engines is that with modding your 3.1, you can do it step by step when you have the money for it. Many of the mods are inexpensive to do. But with an engine swap, you will need to have thousands saved up to pay for the engine and installation. Well that's my opinion. Let us know what you think.

[3.4 slow to go]

some people have even gone as ar as to drop in a 3.4 and retain the stock tranny ;)

[David Blalock]

A popular thing to do with the 3.1 is to get a 3.4 bottom end and bolt all of the 3.1 stuff on top. I'm personally just sticking with my 3.1 for now until I can by a Camaro exactly like I want. Good start would be a CAI and exhaust on that 3.1 I recommend the Ravin and some mandrel pipes. A 3.8 GT turned down a race today cause he said I'd kill him even though I'd be suprised to run a 17 in the 1/4.
David

[EARLJAM]

i also have an 86 firebird besides my 87 both a re 2.8. i added some mods to my 87. but the 86 is getting the v8. im stroking a 305 to a 334. same kind of build up as the 383. 400 crank etc. but it will have the tpi on it as well. i came across an article that car craft did and it states that at 2500 rpm the motor will put out 320hp and 385lbs. of torque. if you are familiar with cars the i say build what you want. or can afford. like the others said earlier, i have the 87 to sport while the 86 is getting worked on. a second car might help out.