Hi everyone,I have a good lookin loaded 1989 Firebird with 136k on the clock. After a major tune up from what I can tell the car is in great shape (cept for a tiny oil leat at the back of the engine that I havent had time to track down but I'm assuming its nothing).

Loaded with the crazy lazy 2.8 I was just wondering if this thing has enough life left in it to drop close to a grand in mods and call it a day (yeah I know that isnt a lot but to a 23 year old that is alot to me lol). I know it'll never be a vette eater but I'm more in to spirited driving on the open (empty) roads so personal amusment is number one (if I wanna race ya I'll lay the smack down with my turbo Tbird(also not a vette eater but way faster than this Fbody)).

Like I said,the car is in great shape,good compression,engine runs fantastic and the tranny shifts smoothly (auto) so I have no doubt the car has been taken care of. So heres what I was thinking, CAI,under drive pulley kit,pacesetter manifolds,high flow cat and a dynomax cat back setup (the $170 from summit) and maybe a sports tune chip or something.

Basically what I'm asking is would this be worth it? Will all these combined put more than a little pep in the step so I can finally have fun with this car? I realize its a 2.8 and swaps are out of the question but could that setup beat a stock 4.6l stang perhaps or somewhere close maybe?

I'm looking for cheap and easy ways to improve power done by someone who isnt super mechanically inclined (me).

I'd appreciate any advice cause I love the car,great cruiser just needs to be faster.

 

No.

My advise, take the $1000 and put it into the turbo t-bird. Unless you are very mechanically inclined and have the time/ability to do some major mods, it's not gonna happen with $1000.

 

The best mod would be to swap the 3.1 or better yet, the 3.4 from the 91+ Fbody (its preaty much a drop in with the 3.1, the 3.4 you would have to swap the inatake from the 2.8) a turbo 3.4 will make quite a bit of power, they have forged rods and crank from the factory, and are good to 7200RPM IIRC. I'm goin with a 3.1 and will be doing a remote mount turbo hopin to push 250 to the wheels... just enough to not be slow.

 

All the 60 degree V6's have forged crank and rods. What rear wheel drive came with a turbo V6?
EDIT: 3.4 in particular, FWD engines are not a bolt-in.

I agree, unless you can find a good 3.4 from a junk yard and you'll have to pay someone to put it in, or if you're can get some help from someone. It's still not going to be a Mustang killer, but you'll notice the difference.
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I suggest you do some searching and reading because the infamous "What can I do for under $1000?" has been asked quite a few times.
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Anyways, welcome to TGO!

 

Ouch... I didn't know I'd have to go through that much work. This is a serious spirit breaker. I've decided to give the car to my mother,it wont replace the bad-**** 350sb powered '76 Camaro she had to part with when my sister and I came in to this world but it'll make a nice birthday present (mom will have a sweet stylin T-top F-body to putt around in though).

Honestly,If I had the help and knowledge I would gladly swap in a V8 but I dont have the resources (got the $ to afford parts but not to pay a shop to put it in and the only people in my family that actually know how are just to old to help). Unless I can talk any Southern Oregonians in to pitching in for some buck$,beer and a BBQ+gas on me????

Still love GM's way more than I'll ever love a Ford. Some day however,I'll park a mighty Vette or an equally powerful F-body in my driveway.

Take care guys

 

its not all that hard. just write down what you took off.and put it back on woith the 3.1-3.4.

 

I didnt mean to imply that there was a stock RWD turbo V6 from GM. I ment I was going to use a remoted mount turbo kit and my fbird.