Third Gen Tech Articles

Welcome to the the Thirdgen.Org 'Tech Central' section. In this section, you will find technical articles, FAQs, and other information. Most of these articles have been graciously donated by fellow Thirdgen enthusiasts. If you would like to contribute, please Email us and we will consider posting your article.

Third Generation F-Body FAQ

  • General Information: Basic need-to-know information to get started
  • Engine/Induction/Exhaust: Tons of mods available
  • Transmission/Drivetrain/Rearend: Gears, driveshafts, etc.
  • Suspension/Tires/Brakes/Steering: example: Will 4th generation wheels fit on your 3rd generation car?
  • Exterior Related: example: Why does the paint on my car seem to fade/crack/peel so easily?
  • Interior Related: example: What is the purpose of the "seat belt" recall?
  • Miscellaneous Info: example: How can I display the error codes from a Service Engine Light?
  • ALL Generations FAQ Shortcut

    • Technical Tools

    Performance Calculations
    Vin Decoder

    Technical Articles

    Carbs/F.I.
  • Swapping from EFI to a Carb in a Thirdgen
  • Tuning for Performance with your Computer-Controlled Quadrajet
  • How to Install a 100psi Fuel Gauge
  • IAC and TPS Adjustment
  • How to Make a Dual Snorkel Air Cleaner
  • Ultimate TBI
  • Ultimate TBI, Part 2
  • Throttle Body Coolant Bypass
  • Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator for TBI equipped F-bodies
  • Adjusting Your Fuel Mixture Via Your 02 Sensor and a Digital Volt Meter
  • TBI Open Element Installation
  • Daniel Burk's 'Porting the GM 305 Cylinder Heads'
  • QuadraJet Secondary Metering Rods
  • How to Convert from TPI to Carb
  • TPI Injector Swap
  • How to Choose the Proper Carburetor and Fuel Pump
  • Installing a Weiand 142 "Underhood" Roots Blower - New!
    • Transmission
  • T56 6 Speed Conversion for 82-92 F-Bodies
  • Speedometer Gear Swap For 700R4 Transmission
  • How to Swap a Manual Tranny Into an Auto Tranny F-Body
  • Torque Converter Lockup Switch
  • Installing a Transmission Cooler
  • Adjusting your TV detent cable: For 1973 and later TH-350 and TH-700R4 auto trannys
  • How to Change a Transmission Mount
  • Troubleshooting A Squeeling Clutch Noise
    • Electrical
  • Non-Computer Controlled HEI Setup For Performance
  • The Ultimate Goal of an Ignition System
  • VATS Malfunction Diagnosis and Bypass
  • GM F-Body Electric Coolant Fan Specifications and Modifications
  • Overcoming the speed limiter in TBI equipped F-bodies
  • Programming PROMs for your Thirdgen Fuel Injected F-Body: Part I
  • 1985 TPI upgrade to 1986-89 TPI ECM
  • 1986-89 TPI upgrade to 1990-92 TPI ECM (MAF -> MAP/Speed-Density)
  • ECM Interchange
  • Upgrading Headlights For Your Third-Generation F-Body
  • 1985 Wiring Diagrams
  • 1986 Wiring Diagrams
  • How to Convert 1990-1992 F bodies to a 1227749(Syclone) ECM - New!
    • Brakes
  • Installing a Wilwood Proportioning Valve
  • How to Re-do your Own Brakes
  • How to Upgrade your Brakes
  • Daniel Burk's 'How to Upgrade to 1LE Brakes'
  • Thirdgen F-Body Rear Drum Brakes to LS1 Discs
    • Gears
  • All About Gears
    • Camshafts
  • Camshaft Article
    • Chassis
  • Installing Springs on Your Third Gen
  • Chassis Reinforcement
  • Daniel Burk's 'Installing KB Super Subframe Connectors'
    • Suspension
  • Daniel Burk's 'Installing the Steve Spohn Adjustable Torque Arm'
  • Andris Skulte's Wheels and Adapter FAQ
  • Installing a Custom Rear Frame Brace
    • Nitrous Oxide
  • All About Nitrous Oxide
  • How to Install a Nitrous System
    • Ram Air Induction
  • Ron Mullins's Cold Air Intake
  • David Tuschhoff's 3.5" Cold Air Intake
  • How to build a Ram Air induction system for a TPI fuel system
  • How to build a Ram Air induction system for a TBI fuel system
  • Firebird Cold Air Induction
    • Miscellaneous Modifications
  • How to Install a 4thgen Rear into your 3rdgen
  • Third Gen Modifications 101
  • Beefing Up the 7.625 10 Bolt
  • Daniel Burk's 'How to Build a Better 10-Bolt'
  • One Member's Mods and his Results
  • Swapping an electric speedometer into your Firebird
  • Swapping in an IROC Gauge Cluster for a Base Model Cluster
  • Suggested Mods for TPI engines
  • Opinion: What Everyone Should Know
  • How to Remove Your Smog Pump From Your Serpentine Belt Equipped Third Gen.
  • Converting your 1990-92 Camaro TBI To Speed Density TPI
  • Adding a remote rear hatch release to a 90-92 Firebird
  • Installing a Floor Dimmer
  • Siamesing Your TPI Intake
  • Installing 4th Gen Front Seat Belts
  • Shedding Pounds
  • The 2.8-3.4 Swap Boogie
  • Retrofitting Power Windows Into 3rd Generation F-Bodies - New!
    • Beautification
  • Installing a Locking Rear Floor Storage Cover
  • Overhead Console Installation
  • How to Install a Split Bench Seat
  • Ground Effects and Aerodynamics
  • How to Polish your IROC Wheels
  • Air Bag Removal
  • Paint Touch-up Repair Tips
  • Installing 9004 Headlight Bulbs in the Stock Fog Lights
  • Third Gen Interior Door Panel Restoration
  • Camaro Cup Holders 101
  • Repairing Scratches in a 90-92 Camaro Shift Indicator
  • Polishing the TPI Plenum
  • DIY White Face Guages
  • Window Tinting 101
  • Exterior Paint Prep
  • How to Restore Your 1988-1992 Third Gen F-Body Arm Rests
  • The Poor Man's Guide to White Face Gauges
  • 3rd Brake Light Mod
  • How To Anodize All Your Aluminum Parts
  • How to Take The Clear Coat Off of Your Rims and Polish Them
  • How to Install LED's Into your Dash
    • General Repair
  • The Lowdown on Code 32 (EGR)
  • Retrofit your Air Conditioning System to R-134a
  • Replacing Your Radiator
  • Replacing T-Top Weather Stripping
  • T-Top Leak Fix
  • How to Replace Your Heater Core
  • Replacing Your T-Top Equipped Headliner
  • Power Windows, 101
  • Adjusting the Side Windows
  • Servicing 9-Bolt (Borg-Warner) Limited Slip Units
  • Rear Hatch Alignment 101
  • Hot Start Cure and Remote Starter Switch
  • Overheating and Possible Causes
  • Tightening Your Tilt Steering Column
  • How to Replace the Hydraulic Clutch Assembly
  • Fixing Your A/C Vents So They Don't Move
  • GM TSB Regarding Condensation in the Turn/Park Lamps
  • Fixing a Broken Cruise Control Switch
  • T-Top Headliner Repair
  • Replacing Your Oilpan Gasket
  • Replacing the Flip Rods on the 89-92 F-Body Convertible - PDF
  • Adjusting the Timing On Fuel Injected 1982 - 1992 F-Bodies
  • How to Repair a Rubbing Gas Door - New!
  • Instructions for repairing the 1986-87 F-Body Hatch Pull-Down Unit - PDF - New!
    • Car Audio
  • A Brief on Subwoofer Enclosure Construction
  • Choosing Your Stereo Equipment
  • Stereo Installation Into a Third Generation F-Body
    • Not Completely Third Gen Exclusive :)
  • Ticket Avoidance
  • Modern Engine Controls
  • Installing Amps Into the Rear Seat
    •