I have a V6 Firebird...what mods should I get for it?

I have a 1998 3800 V6 Firebird. I have catbac Flowmaster Exhaust and a K&N Air Filter. Besides these, they are the only performace mods I have for my car.

I can do 4 things...

1. Leave my car as is...and trade it in for a Trans Am WS6, or just get a regular Trans Am and buy the hood seperately...when I can afford it and that will be several years down the road when I am out of college.

2. Swap my engine for a 5.7...I have no idea how much this would cost and what all I would have to do to make the transformation successful. I would think I would have less problems just trading my car in for a Trans Am.

3. Mod out my 3800 V6...although there don't seem to be too many performance parts made for the V6. I have thought about buying a RAM AIR hood but it'll be around $1000 after having it painted and installed. There are oodles of things for the LS1/LT1 though...

4. Forget about making my car faster and be content with what I already have.....which is a damn fine car. But the 200-215 HP(with Flowmaster Exhaust and K&N filter) just isn't enough for me. I envy the 300-325 HP that the Trans Ams have.

Base Firebird 0-60 time-----7.5 Seconds
Base Trans Am 0-60 time---5 Seconds

What do you think I should do? Th8x n' advance...

There are alot of 3800 guys around here that have some pretty sick rides. For one, dont bother with the swap, not worth the money. If you like your car, then keep it, and don't trade it in. And finally, check out www.ftpp.net. They have a ton of performance parts for 3.8's. I always recommend them.

As for the mods. I'd recommend you got some headers and a high-flow cat. You've already got Flowmasters, which aren't exactly the greatest thing, but they'll do. After that, I'd recommend you got one of those highflow air lids. The lid you've got now is pretty restrictive and not the greatest. After that, you should be set. Next step would be to work on the drivetrain and the engine parts.

If I bought a used LS1 5.7 V8....how much money would I have to invest to buy the engine and install it? I mean everything...what would it take to transform my Firebird into a T/A(without the obvious cosmetic differences)?

Well I'm not positive on all that. But to give you somewhat of a rough idea, check out this guys site:
http://dxsoftware.com/magnus/

The guy started off with a 3.8 V6, and swapped in an LS1. he has a list of all the things that he had to upgrade so he'd be able to run the LS1.

Here's his list:
LS1 Engine and Transmission
LS1 PCM and Wiring Harness
LS1 K-Member and Motor Mounts
LS1 Radiator
LS1 Coolant and Heater Hoses
LS1 Steering Rack and Linkage
LS1 Throttle Cable
Custom Fuel setup
Custom Wiring Harness

Alot of time, work, and money is needed for that type of swap. Which is why I never recommend it.

Save up for the T/A.

Thanks for the input guys...

I guess I'm just better off waiting to trade my car in for a T/A

My dream car is the 4th Generation WS6...I would love to have a 2002 Black WS6 Trans Am...but that's at least $20,000 outta my pocket...

Which model should I get?

Coupe/Convertible 1998-2002

Which in your opinion is the best choice?

well you all forgot the guyz and galz @ www.firebirdv6.com

This should help out all who have the 3.8L series II www.pfyc.com

save up and get a 02 ws6, that would be bad

My dream car is the 4th Generation WS6...
Nice cars. :evillol:

get a coupe man... it looks slicker. well, drop tops are sweet cuz u can rid e w. it down, but coupe looks nicer imo!

Deff get the coup, conv. adds 500 extra pounds cause of motor.

Not quite that much. :lol:

Save up and get a 2002 Black WS6 6spd. TRUST ME, YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED.

Not quite that much. :lol:


Oh thats my bad.....How much does it add? Does it even make a diff?

It does make a difference.
Mostly in weight transfer and how strong the body is.
Although the convertible is about 150-200 pounds heavier.

It does make a difference.
Mostly in weight transfer and how strong the body is.
Although the convertible is about 150-200 pounds heavier.


l didnt know that convertibles were havier than coupes. why man? they got some extra things which coupes dont have?