I'm in a pickle?

[go-hawk05]

Ok, I am in the market for buying a firebird...that I know. What I don't know is what engine i can live with. I really want a V8 but hear insurance is expensive. Plus not as good gas mileage. If I get a V6 it will only be a 3.8 and M5. I'm not looking to race it, I just want power to where I can beat ricers when the time comes [img]smile.gif[/img] I would be driving it back and forth to college, and around town. I just don't want to be dissapointed with a V6 later on down the road. I know 3.8's are strong/reliable engines. My brother has a 3.8 in his bonne and it has 230,000 and it still runs srong!

So...those of you with a 3.8 could ya shed some light my way on why I should go with a V6. I've heard they can hold their own against the 4.6's...but then again when compared to a LT1/LS1 there is no comparison between a V6.
I don't know what to do! plus if I decide to do V6 i could probably afford the newer body style...which I love!

Thanks for all help
-Dustin

[V8 Killer]

3.8's are pretty powerful. Have 30 HP more then the early 90's TBI V8's. They pretty much do like 15's stock.Few minor mods (Lid, Catback) would raise power levels significantly.As for 4.6's, not too sure about that.I'd suggest any 00-02 years because of the "Tubular Exhaust Manifolds". 200 HP and 225 TQ are pretty good numbers for a V6.

[99camaro-3.8]

youd be suprised at how quick the v6 actually is. my friend has a modded out integra with a vtec engine and i still beat him no problem. the cars have so much torque you can smoke all the little ricers out there.

[Gallstaff]

If all you're looking to do is beat a ricer then you'll have no problem with a 3.8. They have some killer takeoff despite being a v6. I mean we ALL want v8 monsters but I don't think you'll be hearing anybody complain that they "only" have a 3.8

[terminaldegree]

yeah, cheaper insurance, only needing to run 87 octane, getting good mileage, and having a nice handling car with decent power is a nice balance of stuff for me. Obviously, if you want to run with the newer 4.6's you'll need some mods. My 2000 [with the stock tubular manifolds you'll find on the 2000+ models] is pretty easy to work on.

Of course, the hard part is finding a used one that hasn't been beaten to hell...

[go-hawk05]

could i beat a 1996 t-bird? lol a friend of mines got one and it would be nice to beat em and rub it in his face that a 6 beat him...i acually think that his 4.6 makes about the same horsepower as the newer 3.8's...around 200

[V8 Killer]

You might get him..What transmissions?

[go-hawk05]

he's got an auto...if the low end of the 3.8's are like you say i will at least kill him on the launch...his car doesnt begin to "pull" untill past 3 grand. I've ridden in it and even drove it and it didn't seem to have that much for grunt untill the engine revs get on the high end.

BTW when i get a bird it is going to be a manual.

[V8 Killer]

Well 4.6 Mustang made about 210 in 94-98's.The T-Birds probably made 200 HP.If you can drive stick well.You can launch better and stay ahead.I'd recommend a few minor mods before the race.A Lid and a Catback should add a decent amount of horsepower of around 15 and maybe an extra 10 lbs of torque.

[go-hawk05]

I C...thanks for all the help guys...but now your getting me excited about getting a bird...But I have to wait until I sell my truck and 4 wheeler to get one. I found a firebird in the town where my college is at. I might have to go test drive it when I go down there to buy books [img]smile.gif[/img]

I can drive a stick but am not a pro...but I know I can get the hanldle of it.

And this is probably going to sound dumb to you but what is a "Lid"...is it short for something else. I'm a gearhead but new to fuel injection mods. ;)

[V8 Killer]

The "Lid" is the very first part in the 3.8's intake system.Have a look under the hood of a 3.8 and you'll see what the "Lid" is.

[go-hawk05]

thats kinda what i figured...something to do with the intake...thanks

[Rob Bell]

It's the thing that covers the air filter