Hey Fellas

I've got a bit of cash 2000 to be exact. How do you guys thinks I should spend it. My TA has 125000 kms on it and is in really good shape however there are some things I want to do you guys tell me what you think. Here's the list.

Struts and mounts up front
New carpet
Get the rear aftermarket spoiler painted
ALSTONS SFC
Corvette servo.
Headers and y pipe. Already have the magnaflow system.

Thanks

TA Re Ser

 

In order of importance...

weld-in subframe connectors
Torque Converter (spend the $800 and get a good one)
Headers


The rest you can do whenever and are niceties, not necessities.

 

I agree with the sub frame connectors. Pretty sure I'm going to get the top down ones and weld them in. Do headers really wake the 5.7 tpi up that much? My issue is here jn canada I have to run the ones with air tubes and they are ridiculous in price.

 

Yes headers are the 1st engine/power mod you should do. In fact the whole exhaust system on third gens are major choke points.

My list for you in order...
1) Any saftey concerns/items needed like brakes, tires, etc.
2) SFC... weld in
3) headers and aftermarket mandrel bent Y pipe and cat back
4) tune up if needed, plugs, wires, etc.
5) Better intake/runner setup or atleast port your runners
6) better heads
7) better cam

 

I would count the bolts on your differential cover then pull it and see what gear ratio you have and look for a posi/L.S.D..

If its the 9 Bolt cover and your stock then you have the 2.77 gear ratio.
The 2.77 is a highway gear that KILLS performance anywhere but the highway.
I would seriously consider changing the 2.77 ratio to at least a 3.27 or better yet a 3.45 and adding a new posi.

You will be "shocked" at the difference it makes in the car. Night and Day.


Here's a link to the data = https://www.thirdgen.org/1988-pontiac-firebird/

 

Night my car is in tip top shape hadn't seen rain in 16 years. I picked it up last August and after doing a fair bit of detailing I'm now at the point where everything is done and now it's time for improvements. I need to do the front struts, mounts due to age and have the repro spoiler painted. After that I have about 1200 that I plan on spending. I like the idea of headers but I need to do sfc before I do anything.

 

Car already has 3:27 factory with a posi diff and alum drive shaft. My car is loaded aside from leather. She's in tip top shape with only 125 km on it. I think I'll go with sfc, paint spoiler and do struts and mounts and see what I have left at that point.

 

Here's pics from the day I brought her home. She's even cleaner now and I cut and polished the paint and did a full detail on the interior. Recovered the headliner, sails and sunvisors already. Just need to order a set of mats waiting on ACC for material samples.

 

Nice looking car for sure!

Yeah do the struts and mounts, spoiler repaint, SFC, headers, Y pipe.

 

Nice looking TA! I'm surprised no one has mentioned tuning equipment like an Ostrich from Moates.

 

Tuning a stock engine is a waste of money IMO.

 

I have a custom chip in it already to wipe the vats and because the PO put in 24 lb injectors.

 

Well...he IS talking about upgrades. Thought maybe he'd like to be able to tune after doing them.

 

True, any engine upgrades would require a tune to get the full advantage of the parts.

 

SFCs and then these:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...s-lca-phr.html

 

--Any safety things that need addressed.
--Spohn Subframe connectors
--Poly urethane bushings, sway bars, Koni struts and shocks, Strut tower brace, wonderbar,
--Headers and Exhaust (biggest primary power gain for the money)
Worry about paint last unless it's a rust issue.

 

Where are you located? I'll be in Barrie for a year starting march, currently I'm in the Ottawa valley.

Remember that depending on the year of the car, you will never have to emission test it, with my 87 I won't have to have a test, so my LS1 swap has no concerns over emissions... I doubt a cop will pick up on some missing air tubes if you get headers.

My first upgrade (aside from the motor swap) was the subframe connectors, from the little I drove the car since I would say it's a huge improvement and would be #1 on my list. No more creaking, car feels solid, less rattles.

Now I'm focusing on the rest of the suspension with KYB red shocks/struts (there are way better sets out there but these are good for the price), rebuilding the front steering and will be slowly putting in new A-arm bushings, and rear tubular suspension components for the rigidity and better bushings.

If you want that wing painted, you can do the prep work (takes a solid afternoon if it's just in that black coating they come in) and maaco can spray them fairly cheap.