First off, let me start by saying Hello. Name's Ryan, from a little city in NE Kansas

My first car was a '92 Camaro RS, 305 TBI M5, painted Dodge Green (darker than forest green...I think) with a Z28 style wing on the back. I sold it a few weeks ago, since then I've driven older (a couple 1st gen) Camaro's, a couple newer Z28's and Trans Ams (98 newer), and even a Corvette (for the hell of it )

As most of you might agree, driving a 3rd gen is a LOT eaiser than a 4th. Why? I don't know, I just felt really cramped inside the newer ones. I couldn't see **** out the front or rear. I loved how my old 3rd gen felt, so I went and spoke with my mechanic, and he tells me...

He has a '91 Firebird, 114k miles, 100% stock, with a broken and locked motor. Obviously, this motor will have to be replaced regardless, for this car to move. However, the power that the LS1 gives is very nice. Nice enough to where my mechanic is going to call his "connections" Monday and quote me a price for this Firebird with an LS1, M6, and virtually everything I'll need to allow this car to run without breaking (rearend, clutch, fuel, suspension, etc etc)

With that, just sharing what kind of car I'm going to be getting into, if anyone was interested in doing some LS1 into a 3rd gen talk with me

I did some research, on aftermarket appearance. I'm not into blackouts, euros, things like that. However, I did see a 98-02 style Ram Air hood off the newer T/A's, and that rear wing off the 93-02 T/A's. I'm new to this board, does anybody have either of these on their 'Birds? If so, are they appealing to the eye in person? Any pics? Any complains? Also, if I don't go with a Ram Air hood, are there good stripe kits for a '91 'Bird? Nothing too elaborate, just something to be different. Thanks in advance

 

Whats that combo going to cost you? While the ls1 enigne in a third gen does scream the cool factor a stock ls1 only pulls mid 13's which usually makes the swap cost prohibitive. You could probably get a custom built engine in there thats running low 2's for the same prics. just my .02

 

2 websites for you to check out:

LS1/M6 3rd Gen : www.thirdgenreource.com

Gobbs of info : www.thirdgen.org --> A lot of people can help you out with the Ram air hood/spoiler in the "Appearance" section.


-Rippin

 

maybe the right url will help

http://www.thirdgenresource.com/

 

That little for low 2's? Where do I sign up to get that done?

 

Hey Douggy, I'll take two of those two second motors,where do you get them,fron NASA? hehe!

T.

 

geeze one little typo and your all on my *** Yeah they come with jet engines off of an FA-18. Ment low 12's

 

True, an LS1 in a 4th gen runs in the 13's somewhere factory. But of course, the 3rd gen is lighter than the 4th gens (by a few hundred pounds I think?). So I think the weight difference would help show better results. That and the LS1 is pretty light, very reliable, and for 320 horses, has good gas mileage. Not that gas mileage is on my important list or anything...

One reason I want to do this to a 3rd gen is to get revenge for my old Camaro. I mean with the stock 170 hp 305, I couldn't really take many of the imports around here. So now they think that their Hondas and what not are God, or something. Truth is, none of them beat that old Camaro by anymore than a car length. Now with the LS1 M6 swap, I'll be taking them by a bus length or two

 

Yes the third gen's are a bit lighter, but you also have to take into account the suspension difference. The parasidic loss on a third gen is considerably more then the much tighter fourth gen, especially with any kind of miles on 'em.

You'll still slaughter the ricers, I'm just saying... don't be surprised if a fourth gen walks by you a bit.

I'd love to put an LT1/LS1 into mine and mod it a bit...but I think I'll end up getting a crate motor.

 

Well I plan on doing a lot of work horsepower-wise. So the stock 4th gens will be wondering why this little early 90's Firebird is getting away from them. But of course, there is always a bigger dog out there on the roads. My main concern is all these damn Hondas around here. They're your typical "wing, fart shooter, euro lights" Civics who think they are "fast." They don't even know what fast is

And appearance...Anyone have any of those parts I mentioned above? The 4th gen T/A wing, 4th gen Ram Air hoods? Or pics? The ones on the websites are distant and small. Hard to see what these hoods and wings really look like when they are on the car

 

Oh yeah, my mechanic is calling for prices Monday, so I'll know either Monday night or Tuesday what we're looking at, price wise

I'll keep you guys posted, and maybe get some 'before' pics of the car

Also, if I stiffen the hell up out of the suspension, would it be safe to do an aftermarket targa top? As in removing the support in the middle of the top. It's a hardtop right now, and I think it would add greatly to the uniqueness of an LS1 M6 3rd gen. There's nothing close to this kind of vehicle around here, I bet it would be a show winner with a good paint job, etc etc

 

Got some ram-air pics for third-gens...even a photoshopped targa (thanks zeph)...

http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/ota001.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/ota002.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/ota003.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/r...c_firebird.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/targa_ta.jpg

Mine has a cowl induction hood that I think looks rather nice...

http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/me3.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/me4.jpg

Here's the 91-92 GFX with it...

http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/test.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/test2.jpg
http://www.boomspeed.com/evilcacti/test3.jpg

Enjoy, and good luck.

 

I agree, your ride looks very nice. I like what you did with that hood

The targa picture isn't showing up. Maybe they took the pic off?

The 'Bird I'll be getting should I do this, looks exactly like that red one. Except it's a dark blue. Has that same curved nose front end, just doesn't have the ram air hood on it. I was hoping someone had a pic of those GFX, with the Raim Air hood?

Outside of photoshopping ( ) is a targa an option I can do?

 

Nevermind, outsmarted the computer and got that targa picture up

That's exactly (well...I guess there is only one way a targa will look ) what I was wanting it to look like. Since I won't have t-tops, I would definetley pay for a targa. Opinions?

 

Hmmm... yeah, I would think it was a possibility. But you'd have to REALLY stiffen up your suspension.

I've honestly never heard of it being done successfully... But I don't see why not. Its just one little brace... They made 'em into convertibles too, so I don't see why there'd be a problem.

Yeah I love the ground effects and the ram air hood on that red one... the camaro's also very nice. Not sure I like the ram air on the 'maro... but everything else is perfect, right down to the exhaust.


Yeah, definately get some pictures up here. I'm anxious to see what you do to it.