I have a stock '84 Firebird SE, 305, auto, and there's a good chance I'm selling my old car soon and will have some extra money. The car is in good condition, inside and out. If you had $750, give or take a hundred or so, what would you get? A few small things, or put it all into one? I'm leaning towards a full exhaust setup, but the suspension could use an upgrade too... Anyways, give me some ideas!

 

if you are going for a blend of pleasure and performance, i would go exhaust.

if you are going for comfort or better traction, do suspension.

 

subframe connectors and a steering brace should be first on the list, all 3rd gens need them.

 

full exhaust setup what i would do

 

you will see more change in the car with the SFC and wonderbar than an exhaust will do on a 305. but if you are looking for sound, then exhaust is the way to go. hooker 2055's and a 3" catback, probably eating up most of the budget.

 

Yeah, I think I'm leaning towards the exhaust. I may have to go for the manual tranny swap after that though. A small piece of me dies every time I don't get to shift...
I'll look into the subframe connectors and steering brace. Does Summit carry them? I have their catalog and can't seem to find any. Their website seems to be blocked on the computer I'm on right now.

 

will someone listen to it when it is said by someone other than me

 

+1

At least get the steering braces to save yourself from having the steering box rip off of the subframe.

 

I did suspension first. It even feels like it's going faster because of the way it handles. However, I can't disagree with the SFC's...I just can't find a shop that will do them.

 

i definietly agree w/ the subframes (in my first post i considered them under the suspension catagory).

i would maybe do a little of both (suspension and exhaust) on a limited budget.

aftermarket cat-back for a little bit of volume. i would go 3". you could easily do headers and y pipe later on. ($300 to way over budget)

and definitely shocks and struts.

if you want some good versitility, i would get some adjustable shocks and struts (i had the kyb agx adjustables on the mustang before i upgraded and i thought they were great for the money (~$350) on ebay).

if you want to focus on launch and drag racing, i would go for lakewood 90/10's (or 70/30's if you want it a little more street friendly) and 50/50's in back (i have the 90/10's and 50/50's).

maybe springs depending on your goals for the car (however i would consider the difficulty level higher than the shocks and struts and exhaust).

if you want it to be more of a corner carver or for asthetics, i would go for some lowering springs (i have the prokit on the stang and love them and i know they are popular for thirdgens).

if you are going for more of a drag racing usage, i wouldnt mess with the springs right now (for the cost to benefit ratio and streetability). i have the moroso trick 220 in/lb's in the front on the camaro.

 

i have heard that Competition Engineering is decent for the price. definitely get weld on. i would estimate ~$50 to 80 for getting them welded on.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...2&autoview=sku

 

I would look at getting Sub Frame Connectors from one of our sponsors before going to summit. Spohn sells a great set that just about everyone is extremely happy with. Spohn Performance

 

IIRC those require some serious floorpan mods to fit.