Ok, here is my dilemma. I already got a RA1 hood, and a new 9 bolt w/ 3.27's...I have a 3.1 V6 '90 Firebird. I want to put in a 350 crate, and do a ton of suspension upgrades, etc. The problem is, my dad thinks I'm nuts b/c he said I will never get my money back, I'll need a donor car to get EVERY part from, I'm better off selling mine, and using a donor car and fixing THAT one up, etc. etc. etc....I love my car, and I've already done the whole interior, wired things all over the place, new paint, a lot of stuff. He thinks the engine/suspension/etc. will just drive me in the whole. He also said to sell mine and get a newer one, then do stuff to THAT one. My question to you guys is, what would u do in my situation?

The poll is to see what body style do you guys like the most. 4th Gen (98+) or Thirdgen? I'd have an LS1, etc. if I bought a newer style one, and the speed and potential would be there, but I really don't want to sell mine, for all the work I have already put into it. Another thing I hate is that you see Fourthgens all over, and rarely see someone w/ a NICE Thirdgen, at least around where I'm at. It's a classic to me, and I ALWAYS get looks, granted it's only a 6.

Any honest opinions would be welcome. Thanks a lot!!

 

hey sweetride,i understand what your dad is saying but the thing is you have the car already,it sounds to me that it is a clean car,so go for it..i have a 92 bird that was a 3.1 now its a 5.7 if you want specifics on the conversion to save you money pm me.now the way i see it with our cars(the sexiest bodies)are not made anymore,you will never get your money/time/sweat and tears back from it!!!!!!!!!the thing is to build it your way and enjoy the car,no better feeling than to be cruisin and people are giving you props for having a (SWEETRIDE)self satisfaction has no price limit..................

 

Cars are a bad investment we do not build our cars to sell them we build them because we love to get dirty and when someone says that looks good who did that for you, you can say oh I did it over the weekend. I'm I right, thats how I am.

Put this way the most expensive car in the world (don't remember what it is) if you bought that car when it was at its least expensive point, or even new and held on to it. It would never be worth as much as if you had just put the money in the bank and sat on it. But hey its hard to do dounuts on a bank note. LOL I guess from a structural point the 4th gen is better but I love how my car looks, and I know of two in ga that look any where near the way mine looks, and most 3ed gens are rages. But I can go outside and see 4-6 4th gens outside. So it depends which do you want a 4th gen or a car that you can say I built that.

 

Well if your dad wants you to get a newer car, but you like the third gen, then you could get a '92, as that would be the "newest" thirdgen. But that would be pointless as you have a thirdgen.
And to me, fourthgen's look more like a "regular" car, i.e. like a Ford Taurus or something. But don't get me wrong, I absolutely would love a nice ls1 powered z28 with like a ram air hood and all that jazz, but for the price you could really do a lot to your car. A whole lot.
But to me though, since you don't seem all that interested in a fourth gen as it is, and if you tack on the amount of money it will end up costing you, it sounds like it may be a good idea for you to take the money you'd put into getting a fourth gen and put it into your car.
For the money of the "upgrade" you could get subframe connectors, strut tower brace, lowering kit, shocks and all the stuff needed for a very nice suspension. And then maybe a crate, and heck, maybe even a blower. ('cause when you say 96+, that's gettin a little spendy is it not?)

I love all the gen's of the f-body for diffent reasons, but the bottom line is you can't go wrong with the 3rd or 4th gen.

 

stick with the car you have already if you love it and have put money into it why not stick out the long haul?

 

There's no FGO, just TGO so I'd stay 3rd.

 

It all depends on what u want. My step brother has a 02 Firehawk (02 i think) and thats a veery quick ride. Id give anything to own something like that. I had a chance to get a 94 Z28 when i sold my 94 v6, but it wasnt what i wanted, sure i wanted a v8, but it looked just like my 94 v6 did, but had faded paint, still no t tops and a auto. And i woulda spent all my money on it, but who knows, i might have been happier with that. Go test drive some newer trans ams see how you like it, thats the only way to make a real desion..oh..ya..and money..that makes alot of the decisions for u

 

I couldn't count the times I've read in Car Craft or whatever magazine, about people wishing they hadn't sold their favorite muscle car. Yeah, its a money pit, its not the most reliable, or the newest body style or the fastest, etc........ but you can't please everyone. Build the car that you want, not the one your dad, or everyone else wants.

 

Thanks for the info. I was feeling the same way as most of you. I'm sure driving a LS1 would be a blast, but you'd just be another "stock" car, to say the least. Most people get them b/c they are hella fast, but they really don't do anything to them. So far, I built this car from nothing, b/c when I got it, it was totalled. It's even a rebuilt and bored 3.1, so, even THAT isn't stock. Thing barely has 10k on it. I just really think a car w/ the look it will have, etc...should have the ***** to back it up. I don't want what everyone else has.

Thanks a lot!!

 

BINGO!!!

just like mustangs. fourth gens are everywhere. only thing i like about 'em is the power. thirdgen camaros and firebirds look way better IMO. and can be made faster. i wouldn't mind owning one as long as i could still keep my bird. i wouldn't wanna work in that cramped fourth gen engine bay either. part of the fun of working on one of these cars is doing the work yourself and learning in the process. something i've done for the past year or so and that i'm proud of.

 

Exactly. I like all the space there is in the engine bay. The newer ones have so much crap on them w/ the sfi, etc. etc....can barely move in there. I think my decision is still leaning to upgrading my thirdgen. Now, just to convince everyone else that I'm not nuts...b/c afterall, it's not "MY" garage, etc...I think eventually they'll let me do it...b/c funds arn't a problem.

 

Both would be great!

 

I think I "FINALLY" made up my mind. I'm going to stick w/ my Thirdgen. Who cares if the LS1's are better...they are all over the place.

Time to soop up my baby and let 'em burn!!

 

 

if you want an ls1, put one in the 3rd gen! i mean, if it means that much and you have the money, i think tis worth it

 

bah who needs an ls1 totally over rated you can make just as much power and more with the sbc's in our car (mind you at some point youll need a race block but how much power are you seriously thinking about putting down?)

Now here is your dillemma as i see it and your dad is mostly right. If you want to do a v8 swap youre going to need a new wiring harness, engine, transmission, and suspension. Generally it is cheaper to sell a v6 and buy a v8 and mod that then do to a v8 swap.

The other and more important thing is what do you plan on doing with this car and how much power do you plan to make. Again more importantly how much money do you have to spend? If youre going to be making 400+ hp youre going to have to replace everything anyways so might as well keep the v6 car and just go nuts with it. What are your plans for your car when its done?

 

go 4 the 4th gen .

 

*smacks you*. A car is nothing more then a chassis. Everything should be replaced anyways so then it comes down to what looks better, and the third gen OWNS

 

19doug90: Well, I plan on getting close to 300rwhp...I want to use an LTR induction, b/c I don't want the headaches modding on a Super Ram, plus, I have to stay emissions legal. In terms of what is cheaper, I don't know if I should find a used L98 and build it up, or just get the TPI Vortec Crate from sdpc. I am surely not building a drag or race car. I just want a car w/ a lot of ***** and is fun to drive on the street. Around me, everyone tries to show off...and if I can be the leader of the pack, that'd be awesome. In essence though, I think I WOULD need the donor car to get all the pullys, accessories, brackets, etc. from. And I'd be looking at finding a cheapo 90-92 5.7 bird, which isn't that common, lol. But, once I find it, I'll have the L98 Engine...so, build it, or scrap it? That's the toughy. I know a guy that'll build it STRONG for me, but in terms of longevity of the block after it's bored, etc...who knows. Or who even knows IF the block can be reworked. That's my next decision.

 

Hey don't get me wrong, I LOVE how my car looks, and with a another $1000 spent on it, heads, RR's, (the lt1 intake and 30lb SVO are already paid for) I'll be very happy with how it performs. BUT a 98+ RA ls1 trans am has so many things our cars don't, a engine that puts down over or around 300 rwhp stock, the best brakes of a car I've ever driven, and looks that kill. I'm not so sure about handling, but they handle close to as good as our cars and ride much better overall at least comparing 88 ws6 to 98 ws6. Not to mention one of these cars should be very reliable for at least another 5 years.

If money were no object thats what I would be driving. Even with my bias to 85 to 90 t/a's IMO the LS1 t/a's are better looking. I've been tempted to make the leap and try to sell my car for top dollar and pick up a high mile 98 or 99 z28. HOWEVER, I don't want a stock car. By the time I'd buy the z28 i'd have no money left for mods. There are so many slow thirdgens out there that I'll be driving a very different car that will blow some minds.

It all comes down to what you want. If money were no object, make your car a weekend cruizer that runs 10's and buy the ls1 t/a for a daily driver. You'd have the best of both worlds, two sweet looking cars and you'd have fun wrenching on the firebird without having to worry about getting it running for work on monday.

I'd also urge you to sell your car and buy a project 350 or 305 TPI car if you want to stick with Fuel injection. A donor car wouldn't be a bad idea but your looking at a ton of time and money, and then in 15 years when our cars are at collectable its still just a firebird. Stick with the 350, (as long at its roller) rebuild it so its a 383, or if you can find a 400 build that, but remember retrofit roller lifters are close to $400+supporting hardware.

 

I own both a 2000 Trans Am and a 1990 Firebird w/ a Ram Air I hood, plus a 1991, 88, and two 84s.

The 4th gen is faster then heck, and I do not regret buying it. However, I still LOVE my Thirdgens. I moved my 91 about 30 feet the other day and I was just reminded about how much I love them. 3rd gens forever!

IMHO, the best combo would be a LS1/T56 in a 3rdgen body. Get the power and the handling.

Douglas

 

4th gen all the way. I just wouldnt sell my third gen for one.

 

Almost anytime you buy or mod a car you will never get your money back.
Spend $30 grand on a new LS1 and sell it 5 years later, you only get $10 grand or so.

If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, the money you put into is worth every penny.
My car for example has a book value of probably $1500 or less.
I've got almost $8K in parts that I have put into it over the past 2 years. I plan on keeping it for a long time so the money is well spent, and I love the 3rd gen body style.

 

when I had my built 83 Z with over 9,000 in it.. I had road raced a few 4th gen. Camaro Z's and kicked there a$$...but just knowing I had beat a few of the talked about 4 gen. made me happy!...and dont get me wrong alot of 4th gen. are fast but can be beat with the right combo in your 3rd gen.
get what makes you happy wether it be a 4th gen. or what you have,no sence putting money into something you'll not be happy with


but Id keep the 3rd gen.

 

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to stick w/ my 3rd gen regardless what others think around here. I know it looks better than 4th Gens. What I like about it, is that if you got the power behind it, hell, even what I am pushing behind it, I get more looks in this thing than any 4th Gen around here. It has to be b/c where I'm at, well, I'm like the only one w/ one. It's good to be called a "Classic" car already.

 

:lala: :hail: :lala: :hail:

I thought about the same exact decision as you, but i came to my senses one day and said, why would i give up styling to get a nice interior and nice engine........Other way, Why would i give up power to have a nice looking car.....

I did the math, and said forget the 4th Gen, sure it may be fast, but i'm a 3rd Gen Guy and will be forever......

Nothing beats the feeling of taking down a 4th Gen while driving a 3rd Gen......:hail:

 

I was thinkin about buying a 4th gen ss or ws6 until tonight i beat an ss i couldnt describe the feeling of beating an ss wow

 

Exactly!! :lala:

 

I can even smoke guys w/ my built 3.1...can't wait until all the new mods are in. Those **** Burners and buy a bigger spoiler, and those 4th Genners could cry in shame!! :lala:

 

Same here.. I would keep the thirdgen you have.. I weighed out those same thoughts.. umm.. sell the thirdgen, get a loan for for XXX more to buy something newer.. or... get half the xxx amount and put it back into the thirdgen and make it better.. I have not done it yet.. bud someday I will.. I love my car.. and have no intentions of selling it.. :hail: my Camaro