Pontiac Firebird 1989 General Information Research
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Joined: Dec 2015
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Car: Pontiac Firebird 1989
Engine: 2.8 V6 (S)
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Pontiac Firebird 1989 General Information Research
Hey everyone!
Since i joined this forum at the start i didn't have neither the service manual and owners manual and now i am glad i bought them (best 100 bucks invested into the car). After that i've decided to share some of my knowledge and discuss with you folks (like the grown-ups :P). Just some info why ACDelco is highly regarded here. It's because the 89 Firebird was made using ACDelcos parts so the technology is based on ACDelco. It is also a daughter-company of GM (the manufacturer of the Firebirds).
BE ADVISED! I have the 2.8 V6 (S-code) engine. The 5.0 V8 and other V8's have different parts. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO YOUR VEHICLE! This is all information i have gathered around the 2.8 V6 (S-code).
USE THIS INFORMATION WITH CAUTION! RESEARCH AND VALIDATE BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISION ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE IF THIS INFORMATION IS COMPATIBLE!
Feel free to discuss, remark me and give more tips about the car! If you have any questions regarding other engine types, feel free to ask!
Date: 28.01.2016.
Engine Type: 2.8 V6 (VIN CODE S PRO LB8).
Transmission Type: 5-speed manual.
1. SERVICE AND OWNERS MANUAL.
Pictures are in the attachment. I got them from ebay and amazon.
2. FUSE BOX/PANEL DIAGRAM.
Picture is in the attachment.
3. SPARK PLUGS.
Use ACDelco R42CTS spark plugs (0.045''). They were used when the engine was manufactured so the engines technology is based on those spark plugs. It is not recommended using other brands spark plugs. Only use copper spark plugs, because there is no gain in getting platinum and iridium spark plugs other than durability. Also copper spark plugs gives a bigger blast in the engine (more power?).
3.1 Does it actually matter is you use other brands spark plugs?
3.2 Does it actually matter if you use platinum or iridium based spark plugs?
3.3 I couldn't find any ACDelco R42CTS spark plugs. It seems they are not manufacturing it anymore. ACDelco suggests to use the ACDelco R43TS Professional Conventional Spark Plugs as the substitute for the old model. Is that correct?
4. TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Use ONLY ACDelco Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid when changing your transmission fluid. YES the automatic transmission fluid goes to 5-gear manual transmission as well. YES the book suggests to use Dexron II, but Dexron VI is compatible with Dexron II and Dexron II(E) which the 89 Firebirds use. DO NOT use any other transmission fluid, because it can hamper the transmission and ruin it. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED to use other companies Dexron VI fluids, because they can add special additives and the service manual says that 89 Firebirds transmission doesn't need additives.
4.1 Mobil 1 seems to be a partner for GM and they sell Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid. Is it safe to use that as well?
4.2 Has any of you experienced improvement with other transmission fluids?
5. OIL.
The service manual says to use "GM Goodwrench" motor oil with the API signs of SF/CC or SF/CD. The recommended SAE is 5w-30 (or your engine oil cap). Currently the API is SN and the above are "Obsolete". IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED to use old API oils. Use the SN oils because they are compatible with the old oils (and are actually an improvement). I recommend using Mobil 1 full-synthetic oil, because Mobil 1 is the partner of GM. Full-synthetic oil might cause leaks, because the molecules are smaller compared to "Dinosaur" oils. Please be advised here. Although Full-synthetic oils can cause leaks, but it helps to determine what part you need to change which is getting worn (i think this is actually a positive thing, rather than a negative one).
5.1 Are there any additives you use? If yes than which ones?
If i gather more information and have the time (and will) i will edit my post or add more information here. Hopefully this helps someone in the dark like i was!
Yours sincerely,
Dr34m.
Since i joined this forum at the start i didn't have neither the service manual and owners manual and now i am glad i bought them (best 100 bucks invested into the car). After that i've decided to share some of my knowledge and discuss with you folks (like the grown-ups :P). Just some info why ACDelco is highly regarded here. It's because the 89 Firebird was made using ACDelcos parts so the technology is based on ACDelco. It is also a daughter-company of GM (the manufacturer of the Firebirds).
BE ADVISED! I have the 2.8 V6 (S-code) engine. The 5.0 V8 and other V8's have different parts. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO YOUR VEHICLE! This is all information i have gathered around the 2.8 V6 (S-code).
USE THIS INFORMATION WITH CAUTION! RESEARCH AND VALIDATE BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISION ABOUT YOUR VEHICLE IF THIS INFORMATION IS COMPATIBLE!
Feel free to discuss, remark me and give more tips about the car! If you have any questions regarding other engine types, feel free to ask!
Date: 28.01.2016.
Engine Type: 2.8 V6 (VIN CODE S PRO LB8).
Transmission Type: 5-speed manual.
1. SERVICE AND OWNERS MANUAL.
Pictures are in the attachment. I got them from ebay and amazon.
2. FUSE BOX/PANEL DIAGRAM.
Picture is in the attachment.
3. SPARK PLUGS.
Use ACDelco R42CTS spark plugs (0.045''). They were used when the engine was manufactured so the engines technology is based on those spark plugs. It is not recommended using other brands spark plugs. Only use copper spark plugs, because there is no gain in getting platinum and iridium spark plugs other than durability. Also copper spark plugs gives a bigger blast in the engine (more power?).
3.1 Does it actually matter is you use other brands spark plugs?
3.2 Does it actually matter if you use platinum or iridium based spark plugs?
3.3 I couldn't find any ACDelco R42CTS spark plugs. It seems they are not manufacturing it anymore. ACDelco suggests to use the ACDelco R43TS Professional Conventional Spark Plugs as the substitute for the old model. Is that correct?
4. TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Use ONLY ACDelco Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid when changing your transmission fluid. YES the automatic transmission fluid goes to 5-gear manual transmission as well. YES the book suggests to use Dexron II, but Dexron VI is compatible with Dexron II and Dexron II(E) which the 89 Firebirds use. DO NOT use any other transmission fluid, because it can hamper the transmission and ruin it. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED to use other companies Dexron VI fluids, because they can add special additives and the service manual says that 89 Firebirds transmission doesn't need additives.
4.1 Mobil 1 seems to be a partner for GM and they sell Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid. Is it safe to use that as well?
4.2 Has any of you experienced improvement with other transmission fluids?
5. OIL.
The service manual says to use "GM Goodwrench" motor oil with the API signs of SF/CC or SF/CD. The recommended SAE is 5w-30 (or your engine oil cap). Currently the API is SN and the above are "Obsolete". IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED to use old API oils. Use the SN oils because they are compatible with the old oils (and are actually an improvement). I recommend using Mobil 1 full-synthetic oil, because Mobil 1 is the partner of GM. Full-synthetic oil might cause leaks, because the molecules are smaller compared to "Dinosaur" oils. Please be advised here. Although Full-synthetic oils can cause leaks, but it helps to determine what part you need to change which is getting worn (i think this is actually a positive thing, rather than a negative one).
5.1 Are there any additives you use? If yes than which ones?
If i gather more information and have the time (and will) i will edit my post or add more information here. Hopefully this helps someone in the dark like i was!
Yours sincerely,
Dr34m.
Last edited by Dr34m; Jan 28, 2016 at 09:37 AM.