I've been saving up money for a little while so i can modify my firebird. I decided to wait and do it all at once so it would be less of a head ache. I can't decide on which way i want to go. Here are my choices.

I could:

...do an LE2 setup, rockers, push rods, guide plates, injectors, headers, true dual exhaust, Taylor OVC wires, NGK tr55s, new timing set, gasket set, a tune, new o2s, and that's about all i will have money for.

...do 3.73 rear gears, a 3,000 stall, a race built 4l60e, tranny cooler, headers, new o2s, true duals, taylor OVC wires, NGK tr55s, panhard rod, sub frame connectors, springs, shocks, a tune, and that's about all i will have money for.

... a cc306 cam, LE1 heads, rockers, guide plates, pushrods, headers, true duals, taylor OVC wires, NGK tr55s, 3500 stall, tranny cooler, new timing chain, gasket set, new o2s, and a tune. that's about all i would have money for

I think the 2nd option would be the best in the long run. It would probably be the best for engine life, and durability. The other two options will probably kill my transmission, and the LE2 won't be very good without a stall and gears. Either way, these are my only options right now. I am 17, and graduate in June at which point I'm sure i'll get a nice graduation present so i could put that into the car for whatever else is left.

I was thinking that my transmission may last that long, and i could put in a stall and gears while i had to replace the transmission. All of the work (except for the gears) will be done by me. I would say i am above average in automotive competency, and i am very capable of doing any of it. Most of it i have already done on some type of vehicle anyway.

I have alot of back roads where i live so i like to go out late at night and ride around them, so i was thinking the suspension option would be good. I also like to be able to race cars from a roll, and from a stop light, so the other options are good for me too.

The car is a 1995 Firebird Formula, A4 - 2.73, 70k miles, current mods on my car are: no exhaust, ordered an SLP ram-air intake for the hood i made, 315 nitto 555r drag radials, Jet 2 module, 160 degree thermostat, under drive pulley, holley 255 lph pump, and a tb air foil.

So what do you guys think i should do?

 

options 1 and 3 u are looking for power, and option 2 u are looking for liability...

what do you want?

fast, cheap, reliable... only choose 2

 

I would say go with the CC306, new valvetrain, 3.73's, stall, tune, port and polish the stock heads. It all depends on what you want with the car. If its your daily driver i wouldint go all out. Still, not going nuts you can have a 12 second daily driver and get your 18+ mpg. Keep in mind though, it allways ends up way more expensive then you expect.

 

Is this car a daily driver? If not go with cam//heads/stall/longtubes/catback.

 

I think im going to go with option 1 still. I put my transmission through hell tonight, power braking with drag radials, manually downshifting, holding gears forever, and it had no change whatsover. Never missed a shift, never changed in shift firmness. I think it will hold up for a while. The stock stall and 2.73 gears are what is going to kill the LE2 setup though. I dunno. It's a really hard decision. I can spin 315s now with the stock stall and gears, so maybe the low stall will be good for now.

 

Yes this car is a daily driver but to a 17 year old car nut, a daily driver has no limits. I have an open Y-pipe right now,and have had such for about 2 months. I think a 4,000 stall is perfectly fine for a daily driver, and 15mpg is good gas mileage though i get 20-22mpg now. I just sold the 79 camaro i had which i drove even in the rain. It had slicks on the rear, skinnies on the front, a broken break booster, no wipers, purple horney header mufflers, TFS heads, rpm intake and cam 234/244 112LSA, and this was perfectly fine to me.

So yes it is a daily driver, but no, none of anything i could change would matter to me. If it won't idle and keeps stalling out, that could be a problem, or if it gets less than 14mpg, or if at highway speeds (70mph) the engine rpm is above 3000 rpm.

 

keep Manualy downshifting it and it wont last to much longer.


IF this is the case go with a LE3 package or an 847. But those 2.73s would be hell on someone from a 70 roll Good luck on your decission.

 

in my eyes, you option number 2 would be in preperation for options 1 and 3. besides i think that you would get the most enjoyment out of option 2, and you can have fun with that at any speed, not just 70+mph. besides 2.73's would be hell with a cam that big

 

have lloyd do the econo job on your heads, which is use your valves and stuff. you will still put down some good numbers. i would stay away from the 306(thats just me though), i like the 230-236-112 XE. i also have jet hot long tubes and true duals, i recommend shorties and a good exhoust. long tubes dont really help much over the shorties.

but if you put that power to a stock 4l60 you will be walking, and it will prolly be cheaper to upgrade it befor it grenades itself.


also save as much $$$ as you can put it in the bank, or invest it. becouse this is an expensive hobbie/lifestyle.