Well I've always been a truck guy. My wife and I just got a new 05 F-150 and love it. Well I was in the market for a hobby. I came across a '90 Firebird v6 3.1 liter for $1776. After speaking to the people and hearing what they considered a great car but had a wicked electrical problem , they brought the price down to $1400. The wicked electrical problem turned out to be a 70 AMP altenator, that I replaced with a 100AMP. In the process of changing that out, I noticed 1 lead was hanging by a single strand and you could see where it was arching and sparking on the altenator. Also the exhaust was shot, and the air filter was completely clogged. Well after correcting all those problems and a complete tune up, I do beleive I regained alot of the original horsepower. I have to say I'll be looking to these board for advice for awhile to come.
my board name is jamessr and here is my $1400 new toy

my board name is jamessr and here is my $1400 new toy

Weocme aboard! You have found the right place to learn and or mod anything on your car.
Senior Member
speedingpenguin
Senior Member
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- Join DateJun 2003
- LocationMA
- Posts:955
- iTrader Positive Feedback100
- iTrader Feedback Score(1)
- Car1981 Chevy Malibu, 1987 Formula 350
- Engine229 V6, L98 TPI 350
- TransmissionTH350, 700R4
- Axle/Gears10 bolt ???, 9 bolt 3.27 posi
- Likes:0
- Liked:0 Times in 0 Posts
Car looks nice, welcome aboard!
BTW, when I got my bird it was the exact opposite....
the guy was confident that the car was in good shape, that it just needed some little stuff but mechanically it was in good shape.....
turned out that the engine was toast pretty much and the transmission was on its way out....
but hey, i didnt really know any f-body people around here, i was basicly buying the car on my own, it was my first v8 car.....i honestly thought the car was in good shape from the test drive (hell, if it can spin the tires a few hundred feet from a stop sign, its GOTTA be in good shape! LOL)
Good luck with yours though.....sounds like its in good shape, just needs a tune up
BTW, when I got my bird it was the exact opposite....
the guy was confident that the car was in good shape, that it just needed some little stuff but mechanically it was in good shape.....
turned out that the engine was toast pretty much and the transmission was on its way out....
but hey, i didnt really know any f-body people around here, i was basicly buying the car on my own, it was my first v8 car.....i honestly thought the car was in good shape from the test drive (hell, if it can spin the tires a few hundred feet from a stop sign, its GOTTA be in good shape! LOL)
Good luck with yours though.....sounds like its in good shape, just needs a tune up
Supreme Member
Very nice
Supreme Member
Looks very nice James! What are your plans for the car? 

Supreme Member
Nice car, looks very clean! 

Member
wow, a steal for 1400 bucks!! nice buy man.
now you can use the rest of the money you SHOULD have spent, and drop in a V8
now you can use the rest of the money you SHOULD have spent, and drop in a V8
Supreme Member
Quote:
Originally posted by Red|ine
wow, a steal for 1400 bucks!! nice buy man.
now you can use the rest of the money you SHOULD have spent, and drop in a V8
But what about all the money he can save with a v6Originally posted by Red|ine
wow, a steal for 1400 bucks!! nice buy man.
now you can use the rest of the money you SHOULD have spent, and drop in a V8
Member
Quote:
Originally posted by 82knightrider
But what about all the money he can save with a v6
He'll still be saving on insurance since it's a V6 car Originally posted by 82knightrider
But what about all the money he can save with a v6

Looks great, my first and current car is also a white Firebird, but mine is a 91 model with a V8... white is one of my favorite colors on Firebirds.
I took off the old intake, cause it was right up against the sidewall. Some guy told me this was a good air intake for about $35. It fits pretty snug right ontop the shroud.
RE Works Steel Mesh Intake

RE Works Steel Mesh Intake

Member
in that last pic, 3 pedals in an auto? i would put it back to manual. any way looks real nice and clean. didnt know that trans ams came with v6s, thought they were all v8s
Member
Quote:
Originally posted by 87DeathBird
didnt know that trans ams came with v6s, thought they were all v8s
He has a Firebird, not a TA.Originally posted by 87DeathBird
didnt know that trans ams came with v6s, thought they were all v8s
But actually the Trans Ams did come in V6 just once-- the Twin Turbo V6, which dusted all the V8 F-bodies (except maybe the Firehawk)!

Supreme Member
Quote:
Originally posted by JungleMan
He has a Firebird, not a TA.
But actually the Trans Ams did come in V6 just once-- the Twin Turbo V6, which dusted all the V8 F-bodies (except maybe the Firehawk)!
close, but it was a single turbo Originally posted by JungleMan
He has a Firebird, not a TA.
But actually the Trans Ams did come in V6 just once-- the Twin Turbo V6, which dusted all the V8 F-bodies (except maybe the Firehawk)!

nah the three pedals is the kit I bought. I got the one for a standard and thats all they have till the weekend. Can't get good parts in the lower Keys. DOH
Well at any rate since a viewer from the internet can notice it, I'm changing them tomorrow.
Well at any rate since a viewer from the internet can notice it, I'm changing them tomorrow.
Member
hey, what you did with the air filter, is that safe/easy to do? cuz ive always hated how my air filter is in a metal cylinder lodged in the corner of my engine bay with a tube that leads directly to the wall.. could i just take out that big plastic tube thing, the metal cylinder, and attach the air filter directly on there? (excuse my lack of termanology)
will it add any hp, or will it just clog up the air filter faster?
also, sweet bird man
will it add any hp, or will it just clog up the air filter faster?
also, sweet bird man
Well I been running mine for a lil over a week. Can't say anything for gas milage but I'm sure I'll see better. And as far as hp goes, yeah I noticed a bit more pep after I installed the better filter. Mine also fit very snug right ontop the shroud, right in the bellow tube. The filter is about $40 so you can't go wrong trying it man.
Steel Mesh Filter
Steel Mesh Filter
Member
alright thanks man. im definitely gonna try this out, ive been meaning to change the filter anyway.
Junior Member
Quote:
Well at any rate since a viewer from the internet can notice it, I'm changing them tomorrow
If an ant crawed up your tailpipe, picked his nose and wiped the booger on the inside wall of your converter................they would notice. Well at any rate since a viewer from the internet can notice it, I'm changing them tomorrow

btw, welcome, you are amongst friends
Senior Member
welcome to the board homie, this is thirdgen heaven , the best place to be!. gawd i love white! .. i always wanted to see what my car would look like in white! . definatelly need to go for it.


