I plan on buying a 3rd gen firebird over the summer as was wondering what year is probally the best one to buy. This will be by daily driver during the summer months. I want to get at least 20 mpg if not 25.

 

ha, like it's a question....1985 , the year that gave the rest of these greedy bastards fuel injection


Nah, actually if you're trying to find a nice thirdgen, ur best bet would be looking for the last 3rd gens made....i'd run for a 91' 92 car, camaro or bird, six or v8 , doesn't really matter. The newer the vehicle, the more refined it'll be, as far as engines go, the later model cars got 3.1L v6's vs the ole' 2.8L v6. ... it added 5 ponies over a stock 2.8 and maybe 15 lbs of tq? So, as far as reliability goes, that's where i'd be aiming, at the same time, i'm not a big fan of 91-92 bird styling (gfx ugly IMO) maros on the other hand look much much nicer in 91-92 w/ their ground effects....on the contrary, if ur plannin an engine swap, id say aim early, 1982-1984 they were carbed cars, and have the least amount of wiring to worry about, then u can put in whatever engine tranny combo you desire. Just a personal choice man. good luck.

 

the 92 style is ugly as hell imo, 85 is the best.(firebirds that is)

 

86+ but 68 is better.

 

68 the best bird? No way man... late 70's (77-78, and 79-81 - in black, please!)

 

I had an 80 camaro and did not like the dynamics of the car. I felt like I was the guy at the back of the fire truck driving. Far away swingy. It kind of sucked as it was easier to lose control of the rear. The swing was so unconnected it was to easy to over correct. not a 2nd gen fan.

Though they are built like a tank. Took out a tree with mine and only thing I did was get scratched up. 6-8in tree just snapped off.

 

I still miss my 77 T/A, the way you sat back & commanded the road from behind the 6' long hood w/the 400 in it :hail: :hail:
I still want another one.

Although the 2mos I was able to drive the 85 was pretty good too, but to many probs gave it a negative acceleration, but cruised on the highway better than my 99 GPGT.

eDIT: iF YOU CAN, GET A 92. iT HAD ALL THE REFINEMENTS A 3RD GEN COULD HAVE. iF YOU GET A fIREBIRD & DON'T LIKE TEH NOSE OF IT, SWITCH IT TO AN EALIER YR CAR. stupid cap locks

 

From my research pontiac did not make a new engine every year. but over all 86 / 88 2.8 were the best over all, 86 being the best.

86-88 both had 135hp all the rest had 130 by the data sheet.
[305 had 150]

88 had 28cc heads 9.20 cr
86 had 38.60 cc heads. 9.0 cr


so 86 is the best, well for a 2.8, the others 3.1-3.4 I have no idea.

From my research pontiac did not make a new engine every year. so 87 is an 86 egnine.

 

any special plans you have?? Just a dialy??

From my readings, the 2.8 (85-89) ecm/maf system seems to be the most able for custom chip burning, deleting maf, egr, etc, and system scanning.

90-92 3.1's seem to not have the maf problems the earlier ones did because they are map.

90-92 3.1's have to have "idle learn" done everytime the battery gets dx'd (I have yet to do one, just drive and it eventually learns)

90-92 cars have the digital EGR systems which are NOT CHEAP to replace if one goes out.

All years have the crappy multi-tech injectors

As you know, the 90-92 cars have VATS

As you may also know, the 88+ transmissions seem to be tad stronger both t5's, and 700r4's.

85-89 2.8 rated at 135hp (forgot torque, think 160??)
90-92 3.1 rated at 140hp, and like 180tq

 

think horsepower stayed stable all the way through the 2.8's model year run, not 100% though, probably about eh, 99% .... The TQ was 160 through the run of the engines also, however in 1985 the 2.8 got 5 more lbs. not sure why, maybe it was something left over from the ole' engien vs the ones done in 86 and up......best bet is to stick w/ a later model engine tranny combo like stated earlier, because they're stronger and will take more abuse...but how much abuse can a lil sixer stand to put out anyway. :lala: