Shopping For Best Bird&1/4 Results?? Newbie

[Anti Spark]

Hello, My name is Tony.

Just to give a Brief Introduction to who I am.I Have had 4 Cars Since the age of 15.
1,1978 V8 Camaro 5.0 (Rust on Wheels)
2,1984 V6 Firebird 2.8 Auto (Paper Weight)
3,1988 V6 Firebird 2.8 Manual(Loved this Car)
4,2000 ZX2 Escort Cute Wife's Car (Ricer Wanabie)

5, Well I want a 1998 to 2002 Firebird 3.8 5-Speed
But should I go for any thing extra? I always read about gear ratio? What should I get? Should I get the Y-87 pakage? Will that pakage get me 118mph Top speed?

Buy the time I'm done I want a Supercharger and Nos system. I want to get the engine ready for those bolt-on. Wire, Plugs, Ingnition system, Water Pump, Chip(Programmer)Full Exhust.

Any Tips what to look for?

[99Camaro99]

get a 98+ so you have the whisper lid intake type setup. I would go with the Y87 so you odn't have to worry about the gear changes and installing an LSD. For a manual it'll come w/3.23s and with an auto you get 3.08s (non-Y87) or 3.42s (better-Y87). Any 4th gen V6 model F-body will hit 118MPH limiter, but with programming you can get it to go faster. Oh yea...and get a Camaro :D

[Dominic]

I believe the 2000-2002 models are the best since they also came with tubular exhaust manifolds.

Being you're buying an m5, y87 isnt any big deal since you can install a torsen ($100 part) for fairly cheap (Mine was installed for $120) and you'll have the only worthwhile thing from the package without needing the rpo code.

The 2000 and 2001 models can handle 160°F Thermostats, the 2002 can only handle a 180.

[Silver3800V6FBodyKY]

I second that. You should get a 2000 - 2002. Start modding with the exhaust. You will love the sound of RK Sport Headers hooked up with a Borla Open Exhaust. Then start on the intake. Get some type of Ram Air, and put a Whisper Air Lid on it. Then, if you get a 2001, you can buy a Hypertech Power Programmer III. They only make them for the 2001. After that, you have a lot of options for serious money spending.

Oh and don't waste your money on the Y-87. Just buy one, put the Torsen LSD, and 3.73:1 Rear End Gears. You'll be set to go then.

[Blue Flame V6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:
IThe 2000 and 2001 models can handle 160°F Thermostats, the 2002 can only handle a 180.<hr></blockquote>

the 2001 can't handle them either.

[Guardiannknight]

I love my 2000 Camaro. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] :D I would go with a 2000 model(Since it seems the 2001 and 2002 are having problems with the 160 thermy, although I thought it was only the 2002 that had problems, I guess it's both after reading some of the post on here). I'm sure you should be able to find one with little mileage. As for the gear ratio. It matters what you are looking for. Are you going to be drag racing the car, road coarse, or just street driving it and never drag racing it. If you not going to drag race it, i would just stick with the 3.23 gears and get the LSD with the car. If you are one of use that lives for the 1/4 miles ;) then you will want to place some 3.73 in there after you get your car. Also, the first thing your going to want to do, is fix up the intake and exhaust system. When they made these cars, they really restricted both the intake and exhaust system. You will be surprised of the power that you'll get after you fix both areas up. :eek: Also, get a Camaro. hehe.. naa, get a Camaro or Firebird. I love both cars. hehe.. :D

[Anti Spark]

GREAT POINTS!

I should bring you Guys with when I buy the Car!
:D :D ;) ;)

[wolf]

camaros have more apperance options than a fb,but 98+ have that ugly "bug-eyed"look.
2000+ tubular manifolds are not as good as real headers,imo

[Arctc Wolf]

I like 2000-2002 firebirds since I think they look better than camaros(even though there's a lot more of aftermarket appearance stuff for camaro's), the manifolds(exhaust), and the intake setup. The first few cheap things to do to any 2000-2002 f-body are whisper lid(125), K&N filter(45), BMR shock tower brace(90), remove maf screen(free), and either a Fast Toys Ram/cold air intake(170) or a SLP cold air intake(130). intake stuff is the easiest way to gain seat-of-your-pants hp gains(gains that you can feel) as well as throttle response. the BMR stb stiffens up the front of the car. you'll notice less brake dive, better cornering, and you'll feel a lot less bumps. Hypertach makes a programmer for 2001's right now, but will come out w/ programmers for other years later also. The programmer runs about 300-340 depending on where you get it from.

When looking for a f-body off the lot, make sure you get either a y87 pkg. (3.23 rear gears, lsd, dual outlet exhaust) or at the very least 3.42 rear gears. lsd is cheap to install later on. I love the acceleration of my 3.42's. have fun f-body shopping.

[Jack]

Wonder why there are more cosmetic mods for a camaro? Maybe they need them? Just Kidding...I just came from a couple of dealerships...there really isn't that much price difference between the two of them, get the one you want and have fun with it. I prefer Birds, my ex G/F has an 02 Camaro...and my 97 Bird is quicker and handles better, not sure why, but it is and does.

Get the y87? I wouldn't since you are already planning on replacing most of what that gives you. The LSD really is the only worthwhile option. In my opinion. You are stuck with the speed limiter from the factory, sorry.

[pgriffith]

I thought the Y87 was more than just gears. What about the sport stearing you get with the Y87 package.

[pgriffith]

WAIT DONT BUY YET, I have another idea, MAKE SURE YOU GET T-TOPS. T-TOP is by far the best option available for any fbody. I have ttops in my 98 and absolutly love them. I had a '89 hardtop which I always wished was a ttop. So please get ttops or else you will be kicking yourself in the *** later. Trust me.

[Jack]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by pgriffith:
I thought the Y87 was more than just gears. What about the sport stearing you get with the Y87 package.<hr></blockquote>

It is more than just gears, and the quicker steering option is one of them, I have driven both, it isn't that much quicker IMO, and they charge a lot extra for the Y87...I looked at an RS yesterday and it almost a thousand dollar option.

:eek: Since he is planning on replacing most of what the Y87 gives you...no sense in getting it.