Hello people, I am looking to purchase a 91 or 92 firebird/trans-am/gta/formula etc... my thing is I have seen people say rare GTA and rare formula but what is really the most valuable one to get, i would plan on upgrading the drive train, interior and suspension, i would love a formula but from pics I have seen they don't have the ground effects, (gotta have the GEFXS), would it be possible to put them on a formula, just curious guys don't rag me to hard for not being a third gen expert, I love the 91 or 92 just want to get the best one possible. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

It will be easier to find a Firebird with the GFX. Both base V6 and V8 models came with them it is much harder to find a V8 Firebird without GFX.

 

If you plan on upgrading everything, why not just go buy a standard 91-2 Firebird? That will give you the ground effects, are cheaper, and they are easier to find. The stuff that makes a higher end model what it is, how much of it will remain when you are done? It only makes sense to start with a more basic platform as the stuff will get swapped anyway.

 

That all makes since, but the thing is I don't want to be rolling around in a hunk of junk either. I want something that's not going to need a whole bunch of work, but on the other hand I don't want to get a rare car and destroy it by working on it, is it possible to modify them without losing their longterm value, example if I get one with the 305 and have it ported and polished would that destroy the value? My uncle had a white 91 or 92 when I was like 11 or 12, to me that was the greatest car ever, had skinnies on the front fatties on the back with the screaming chicken, best car ever. Again guys thanks for the feedback, sorry if I am rambling I just can't express how badly I want one of these.

 

The most valuable is going to be the car which cost more from the factory. In most cases that's going to be the GTA. The Trans Am might be worth more then some Formulas, but then a Formula with a LB9 5spd or L98 is probably going to perform better then a similarly equipped Trans Am or even GTA since those cars are heavier. They sold more Formula's in 91 & 92 then Trans Ams, but most Formulas were 305 TBI cars. LB9 5spds and L98's are fairly uncommon.

If you want ground effects and a 91-92 anything you find is probably going to have the front ground effects smashed up. They weren't designed well for impacts, and they're in a precarious location. Most people don't like the 91-92 ground effects anyway.

 

I like how the 91-2 ground effects look, but most cars I see with them have some part broken, and good used GFX parts are EXPENSIVE!
I always like the Formula though. They have a nice graphics package but are really the spartan racer of the firebird line. They have what they need to go fast, but dont feel the need to look fancy while doing it. Over time I've become glad I dont have the ground effects to worry about.

 

@Drew, thanks for the info, sounds like I may go with a GTA and put it on a diet, one other thing I was thinking about was to find a base firebird with GFX and install my own motor and trans, would that be the cheaper thing to do as far as bang for the buck, I'm 24 and I plan to own more than one bird or camaro, I think one will be a classic that I leave untouched and the other will be my tinkering toy. How possible would it be to put a C5 or C6 under a firebird body?

 

Another thing, which car has the carb.? Really would rather have the fuel injection.

 

87 was the last year for any carbed F car. after that everything is EFI.

 

I have seen pics of 91 models with the carb, there is another member who has the bandit edition 91 with a carb, I'm not sure if it was switched but I have seen several others with the carb, have these been switched to a carb by owner or did any come from the factory with a carb in that year.

 

I'm on the same page as you actually, I have my 86' which is a bone stock restoration project, and a 91' firebird to mod. From what I'm reading you really should just look for a clean base bird. My base model 91 had the GFX and the 305 TBI, everything it seem like you're looking for, and its a very common set up, should be easy to find. If you are going to swap all kinds of parts over why go for the GTA? You can get a base firebird in good shape for anywhere around $2500 depending on what part of the country you're in, and it'll be in nice enough shape to enjoy now, and basic enough to mod later without the worry of ruining a rare Fbody.

 

If you want something valuable, you'd have to leave it alone for it to hold it's value. If you plan on rebuilding the car from the ground up to your own liking, you might as well start with a base model Firebird. It'll be worth as much as a more highly desirable car that's been heavily modified.

Any 88 or later cars you've seen with a carburetor didn't come with them originally.

 

The best bird for the buck would be a Freebird.

 

@KMK so true, @Drew they you think it would be cheaper or possible to upgrade the 305 to put out 550 to 600 hp, or would it be better to go with an LS1 or other motor with equal hp.?

 

There's nothing cheap about a making power with a 305. That's just not what they were built for. The only junkyard route that makes sense right now is the LS1 swap. You can't get an old school V8 for what you can get an LS1 derivative. If you're going to do a LS1 swap, it doesn't really matter what you start with, 90% of the drivetrain is getting thrown out anyway.

To reach those kinds of horsepower levels you're going to be tossing 99% of any stock thirdgen drivetrain. The bulk of the equipment used in these cars was intended to support 140-200hp. Behind a 300hp engine, you get a 240hp rating. Every part that doesn't fail from the increased power, is going to restrict the power output.

 

Nice formula drew, what would be my best bet as a daily driver with a little extra power, seems like I should go with a base firebird and just add engine and trans I found a website with rebuilt engines, could I put any LS in the bird or a LQ engine, when I get on my feet I'm going to get a corvette chassis and put a bird body on it, how awesome will that be. Below is the link to the engine site, do you think those are reasonable prices?

https://www.barnettesengines.com/uploads/Chevy.pdf