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Tom P's Major Tuneup Info: 3rd gen (82-92) F-body series

Here's the Major Tuneup stuff- this covers alot more than a garage would do for you, and it'll wind up to be cheaper (or at least the same price)! First, buy a Haynes 82-92 Firebird (or 82-92 Camaro) manual.. they're about $15 from any auto parts store. I like them alot better than the Chilton's manuals (which aren't what they used to be 25 years ago). And of course, the ultimate manual is the GM Service Manual, available from http://www.helminc.com - I paid about $60 for mine back in 1994.

Replace: Distributor cap/rotor, spark plug wires (use aftermarket), spark plugs, air filter (use K&N replacements), PCV valve, fuel filter, engine oil/filter, auto trans fluid/filter (or manual trans gear lube), and rear axle gear lube (use limited slip additive if required). Check and reset the timing to stock specs (in Haynes manual). Check and reset the TV cable if you have an automagic (in Haynes manual). Do a lube job and get an alignment done- the car will go faster "easier" if the front wheels are straight. Buy a can of "Intake and Throttle Body Cleaner for Fuel Injected Engines" by Gumout (yellow or gray can, with a red cap), and follow the can's instructions to clean out your intake. DO NOT USE CARB/CHOKE CLEANER- this removes the protective coating fuel injected engines have. Put a bottle of injector cleaner or my "red magic" (STP Gas Treatment) into a full tank of good gas.

It's also a good idea to replace your coolant, check your brake fluid level and p/s fluid level, check the belts, and check your brakes while you're at it.

Call Summit Racing at 800-230-3030 for a free catalog, then you can pick and choose a spark plug wire set and get your K&N air filter(s). (You can also find this stuff through their website, at http://www.summitracing.com , but it's not as thorough as the catalog.) When you leaf thru the catalog, you WON'T SEE any parts listed for a 2.8l v6 - you need to call them and ask them for part #'s/availablility. (Same goes with exhaust, etc.)

But definately do a tuneup first... you'll see the best improvment from the "fun" parts when your car is in good running condition.

-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)
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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
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Do you suggest doing this a 100,000 miles no matter what or keep on a regular schedule? I'm at 98,700 now. Anything else I should consider at 100,000? BTW, I finally got my dad to drive my car, so I got to sit and listen to that weird thump from a different angle. We both think it is that stupid pipe. I'll probably upgrade to a 3". Again, thanks to you and everybody else who offered suggestions. I'll keep tou posted if it goes away

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

Ok, after reading the reply you sent to my other message, I'll for sure get a 3" I-pipe. (I already have new tailpipes from when I replaced the stock muffler with the Flowmaster less than 6 months ago.) I know you're probably thinking that the 3" I-pipe won't fit into the 2.5" muffler inlet. Well, I think it will because I think Summit sent me the muffler with the 3" inlet by mistake. I had to flare the old I-pipe to get it to fit. I know I should have gotten a new I-pipe with the muffler and tailpipes, but it was still in good condition. I will make sure to get mandrel bent, though. All I'll have to do is flare the back of the converter, unless that decides to go to. (How long do those things last?)

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

i'm not aware of where all our pipe clamps are, but if you're "lucky" it might just be a clamp, which can normally be replaced at about 12 bucks or so. But, if you just want to go to 3" go for it.

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the 85 firebird, the first firebird that doesn't burn out....

It eats the pavement!!!

KILL LIST: (SHORT BUT GROWING)

Dodge Daytona (think a 2.2),Honda Acorda (2.0L),2000 Camaro (3.8L),1992 Mustang (V6),1987 Firebird (2.8L),80's probe (4 banin'),90's malibu,90's 4 door Saturn, (wow, that was a slow ride, even slower than me.),91 Celica GT conv.,Acura Integra, 5speed DOHC 4 cylinder. * 86-90 Pontiac T/A, 305ci. (might not have been running well, but i'll count it anyway.)
---came close----
1979 camaro (5.7),1981 camaro (5.7),1982 firebird (5.0) my tires spun, I coulda beat em!!! ,79 El Camino (350, lost by a door),96' Mustang, 3.8L stickshift. (caught him after my car downshifted.)

 

85f-bird, I wish I could just replace a clamp, but my I-pipe has a hole rusted in it so I figured I'll just upgrade to a 3".

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

I still don't think you'd have to flare the cat; there's a flange between it and the y-pipe. If the pipe's made by an aftermarket company (dynomax, flowmaster), they should make it as a bolt-in.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Well, I couldn't get a 3" pipe readily available, so I had to stick with stock. The new pipe does have a hanger that must have rusted off on mine. I looked in a Firebird book from Classic Industries, it shows some type of insulator about where my pipe is hitting the brace. Is there supposed to be some kind of rubber bumper there??

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

There should be a hanger on the upper rear passenger-side frame rail. It's directly across from the driver's side hanger (on the upper rear driver's side frame rail).

A piece of steel should come off the I-pipe and slide into that right rear hanger. V6's with dual exhausts got a "pin" off the I-pipe that slides left/right into an oval hanger.

V8's with dual exhausts got a "metal slide" off the I-pipe, that slides front/back into a flat rectangular hanger. In fact for those that buy a Dynomax cat-back, you need to hunt down the v8 dual-exhaust RR hanger... either from a junkyard (mine) or the dealer. It uses the same bolt holes & screws... there's three bolt holes on that passenger side rear rail; the middle one of the 3 isn't used. If my memory's working right, they're 1/2 inch (13mm) bolts.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
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