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I have a '92 Firebird Formula 350, flowmaster exhaust, k&n filter, throttle body spacer, gta trans am rims. (This is all I know that isn't stock with the car, if I mistaken anything, please feel free to correct a newbie )
Most importantly, it's an auto tranny. I've always been captured by the idea of a manual.
Anyways, my brother has a 1999 Base model Firebird. 3.8l V6 5 speed.
Recent diagnose, cylinder 6 has loss compression causing misfire here and there, and his engine dies on some stops even when fully engaged in clutch while on neutral waiting for a go.
I've driven the car here and there, died on me once, weird but I thought maybe I just missed something. I kept driving and at some stops, when watching my rpm, it drops way below 500 rpm and somehow I do something unconsciously, gets saved and it wont die. I probably gassed a little, i don't remember.
I have a '92 Firebird Formula 350, flowmaster exhaust, k&n filter, throttle body spacer, gta trans am rims. (This is all I know that isn't stock with the car, if I mistaken anything, please feel free to correct a newbie )
Most importantly, it's an auto tranny. I've always been captured by the idea of a manual.
Anyways, my brother has a 1999 Base model Firebird. 3.8l V6 5 speed.
Recent diagnose, cylinder 6 has loss compression causing misfire here and there, and his engine dies on some stops even when fully engaged in clutch while on neutral waiting for a go.
I've driven the car here and there, died on me once, weird but I thought maybe I just missed something. I kept driving and at some stops, when watching my rpm, it drops way below 500 rpm and somehow I do something unconsciously, gets saved and it wont die. I probably gassed a little, i don't remember.
but anyways, should I do the trade?
Thanks for all the input!
In my opinion definitely don't do it. These thirdgens are getting harder to find in good condition. I've had a 97 3.8 camaro and still have an 02 Trans Am but I'll always come back to a thirdgen - although body style etc is personal opinion.
No way. Trading a good running formula for a base model v6 with bad compression is a horrible idea. You would probably have to do a full rebuild on the motor before it ran right again. Plus the fact that it lost compression at all either means that it's high miles or was beat on way too hard. The tranny could also be on its way out. A manual trans won't do a thing for you if both it and the motor are fried. Wouldn't touch that trade with a 10ft pole.
I would not trade even up... Replace a running car for a part time running car, go from a V8 to a V6.. Trade from a car that is appreciating to a car that has not hit bottom?
Even if it was running flawlessly, the 99 base mode Firebird (at least around here) are worth less than a 1992 Formula. I've got a 98 Firebird in my driveway that I am not really sure what to do with because it's barely worth trying to sell.
No trade, I'd build the trans with a nice lockup converter instead of going 6speed.
The black GTA wheels are stock/mandatory for late 91 through 92 formula 350s if you have TTOPs.
nope! but pics of both vehicles would educate the decision more.
I agree with this quote above. Maybe the formula has seen some hard miles & is in very rough shape, were the firebird has been very well kept? Until there are more details & pictures we'll just assume they're in similar condition & call it a bad trade & I completely agree with that. Kind of hard to look at it in another way until then.
Sorry for the late response guys, but thanks for all the input! I really appreciate seeing all this and the support for my 3rd gen!
Originally Posted by scottmoyer
Why is this in the History Forum? Moving to Firebird section.
Sorry about that, newbie here. Thanks!
Originally Posted by F-body-fan
I agree with this quote above. Maybe the formula has seen some hard miles & is in very rough shape, were the firebird has been very well kept? Until there are more details & pictures we'll just assume they're in similar condition & call it a bad trade & I completely agree with that. Kind of hard to look at it in another way until then.
The formula has been well kept. The only problem with it is a three inch crack on dash, a few spots of clear coat peeling, used bondo on rust spots on the top and plastidipped it temporarily till paintjob, odometer stopped since 2010 at 144k miles, and a little bad tie rod ends. (It's not so bad to where the misalignment shaves a tire so unevenly or even wear it so bad.) Other than those, it's working amazing. Running like it's new with all that v8 power. It's my first v8 to drive so I do feel the difference coming from a few v6 cars before.
Here's an idea - offer your brother a 1000 bucks for the non-reliable car, take out the pedals/slave/etc. sell the car to cover the cost of a t-56 or wct-5, do an auto to manual swap on the formula and end up with the best of both worlds
10-12-2015, 10:26 AM
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