whats up all i am new to the forum but i just inherited my dads 89 firebird bandit 2 edition #104. It has 32,000 miles on it and i want to get it to be a high 11 or low 12sec daily driver. What should i start out with have 2500 to spend on it now. i think it is a 305 not sure tho, keep hearing 305 is $h*T.. any suggestions on what route i should take with the bird.... thanx for the help

 

this may be to the limit of your price range but i would search around for a used vortech supercharger. get headers with dual exhaust and upgrade your rear end gears to at least 3.73. that should get you over the 300 HP mark. a good cam wouldnt hurt after your wallet recovered.

 

the bird already has a stage 2 chip it is from jet dual exhaust no cat from borla .. and ram air functional hood and a k&n drop in filter

 

You should really hold onto that piece of history and build a builder. Like a whole other car. Thats my opinion. because of the such low #'s of that,also how many do you think have 32000 miles left on it?

 

yeah it is a rare car, i am a purist at heart, but you dont want to be all show no go. if you remove all your emisions equipment and s/c it you could put it back to stock down the road if you wanted

 

so you think i should just keep it the way it is because of how rare it is.... thats a good point but i think with its low mileage it would be ok with added power long as it is done right and thats my goal. lets just call it a soon to be resto-mod..... any suggestions on next mods i have stg 2 chip dual exhaust cat deleted k&n filter drop in. what should be the next step ??

 

yeah your on a very good start. you also have to consider subframe connectors, suspension upgrades and even a posi. all that power aint gonna do you no good if you cant do a hard launch. i know it didnt, but my polyurethane trans mount felt like it gave me 5 HP.

 

you should be ok to a point with the mileage. your rings arent as springy and valve seals getting hard. if you just stick with bolt ons like a s/c or headers,it should do ok as long as you dont over boost it. but if you do go to upgrade anything internally like a cam or porting your heads i would reccomend a rebuild

 

i understand i need to make it so the power is usable but for right now i just want the power to be made and then work on getting it to the ground.. 3.73 gear is that streetable for daily use it is an automatic have heard 3.55 gear would be better for a more all round performing car for a track day ...and any cam and or head suggestions?? i think for now i am gonna get the trany working to were i want it and also get better head and cams in there that should hold me over untill the start of the new year. any tips on cams or heads to run.. Thanx for the help IROCTURN

 

yeah you should be pleased with just a cam. as a suggestion, since your car is an auto, i think it is summit that sells a shift improver kit that isnt that expensive or hard to install. it will raise your shift points and give you stiffer shifts. then you can get a cam that will produce power in your new shift points. it will also let it shift into overdrive at wide open throttle also i think

 

yea i just ordered a summit racing catalog monday i see myself spend around 3-5 grand on the car by the spring of next year i got alot to learn and alot to buy and install but about the cam what is a good size? i will keep u posted on the progress on the car should have sumthing new done to it by the end of the month just trying to get a grasp on what to do.

 

i have heard the vortec heads and intake setup can help to make your engine breath better and that will bump up your numbers some

 

Reality check... A 305 N.A. D.D. will not ever be a 12 sec. car.

If you can be happy with a mid 13's car, that is do-able. Finish the Exhaust with a set of Headers. Replace the stock Cam (and Springs) and install an AFPR set to ~48 psi. Next figure out if you have a 9 Bolt or a 10 Bolt Rear End, and install either a 3.42 or a 3.45 Gear set.

That will make the car fun to drive.