Transmetal

Years ago, I owned an 87 Formula with a 5.0 it wasn't fast enough now granted it was my dd back then so it was mild. I have an 89 gta now with a 5.7 it's not fast enough for me in it's current condition. I'd really like to put a 6.0 ls2 in it but i'll probably end up adding a TPIS miniram and some heads to wake the car up. If people thought these cars were fast enough nobody would mod them and no I'm not talking about the track. I don't really race people on the street but i get on the car at different times and the power, mainly because of the intake it not good enough for me. I don't need it to run 9's or anything.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Power is a drug. You get a taste of some of it and all you want is more.

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. I thought my ls1 would please me, however it now feels... not slow but.. that it could be quicker/better.

DethVenture

Hmm. I'll keep that in mind.

Do you mean like fast as far as engine response, or acceleration, er...what? I can't imagine that top speed is the problem.

84z28BlueDevil

hey thetaman85 i have the same wheels on my 79 t/a except my center cap is chrome with a black background and a red bird

GerryCat09

iTrader: (1)

For me its about appearance. I do want to build a mild 350 and transplant a 6 speed into my 91 Firebird, but first I want to get it painted. I'd rather have my car respected as a nice, clean 3rd gen. Someone will always have a car faster than mine, but I do really try to fight the "white trash" image many people associate with our cars, so a clean appearance really helps that along.

SDTransAM

iTrader: (5)

I would like them all. And I am slowling moving between appearance, performance (engine) and handling.

I did exhaust first, 'cause it bugged me the most, then I did rims, 'cause I didn't like skinny 15's. So it looks better, and handles better at the same time. Now I am wanting to tackle the suspension so it can handle going faster safer. And when I get it how I want it, then I will work on the paint, 'cause I don't want a nice new paintjob while I am pulling the engine out, crawling all around working on the car with shiny paint. So, that will be last.

Amythyst

My Trans Am probably couldn't beat my Durango right now but then again I'm having an issue with it using to much fuel and wanting to stall out.

Amythyst

I definatley love the apperance of this car!

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

I hope the top speed of this thing is enough to suit most peoples need. I mostly met acceleration. Like i said, the cars is certain quick, but it could be quicker
I think the main aspect is that i get used to the power and starts feeling slow again.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

I was getting used to my LS1 towards the end. But since its been down, Ive beend riving a 2.0 Jetta. So....me thinks the 6.0 will feel pretty spiffy to me again once its back together Heck driving my wife's Cherokee feels like a hot rod to me hahaha.

If you are getting bored or used to your car...drive something slow for a few weeks. It'll bring the that old smile back when you hop back into your car.

Or just put skinny crappy tires on. The traction issues you create will make you feel like you have more power than you do.

J.

Transmetal

Top speed... as fast as I like to drive I'm way too scared to have this car up that high. I know the dash reads 140 but around 100 is the most I've had it. It just don't seem study enough to me around that speed feels like the car is coming apart. Now my Grand Prix which feels pretty smooth at that speed I've had to at least 125 or so trying but failing hard against a G8 GT.

I know before I got the Vette rims with Hankook tires my car felt much faster because it would peel with ease now my tires have pretty good grip plus as much as the tires cost I kinda don't wanna have to replace them so fast so I keep the car at a resonable speed.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Time to do some suspension work? Replace bushings and old parts? Shouldnt feel that unstable. I was cruising in my stock 89 Iroc at 130 and it was great. Even at 140 it feels fine to me

Gumby

of course I like looking faster then I am, so people stay the F off my bumper.

as it has happened for many years now, just the other day a 4th gen was ahead of me and seemed to slow for me to pass by, it then pulled behind me right on my bumper so I could see its RA hood and vinyl racing stripes, it then got one look at the rear of mine and drifted back into traffic like a shunned troll.

Plus I love my Bird but don't trust these tin can bodies.
My V8 car is a 2ton tank that will drive through a brick house and keep going.

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

Im on the stock rims right now with crappy 245 kumho estcas and can barely chirp second when i gun it. However if a start a burnout in first then hit second.. well WHOA NELLY!

92rs!

performance>appearance but right now i have neither lol

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

Lmao. What are the plans for her?

84z28BlueDevil

hey 92rs .... at least you already have the car..so its a good start point :P

Coyote850

iTrader: (1)

Appearance. My Z-28's 305, while not powerful by sportscar standards, is plenty fast enough for me.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

appearance. Because my little slow as crap V6 turns heads everywhere it goes, and I'm not interested in going fast at this point in my life.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Did 58Mark turn 59

58mark

iTrader: (3)

Nah, 43....but I grew up a couple of decades ago. For me a car has to be fast enough to get ip to highway speeds by the end of a short on-ramp. Anything more than that is worthless

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Just busting ***** anyway! I get it, but thats what a daily driver is for. Been conemplating trying to make a fuel efficent "cool" appearance wise v6 camaro... just can't seem to get the wifey approval HAHA!

DethVenture

If not dangerous. (But we rowdy teenagers like just a little more than necessary.)

And aren't there engine parts that you can buy that will improve engine response/acceleration? Like various filters and maybe exhaust kits?

58mark

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, I can justify a 25mpg DD a lot easier than I can a gas
guzzler.

That being said, I could see someday putting in a 4.3 ls engine with a t56. That dual overdrive would be awesome for my mpg.


Or maybe a 3.8 v6 with a t56. That would be nice too...

58mark

iTrader: (3)

There are stroker kits you can get for the 2.8, but then you are practically looking a new engine.

There are no easy or quick methods to making a v6 fast

Gumby

oh your just teasing, I can do that with my V6.....

DethVenture

I wasn't really talking about V6's, but that's good to know. Didn't think there'd be too much you could do to a V6, so that affirms my thoughts.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

No matter how you cut it, to make one of these cars significantly faster will cost you several thousand dollars. To make some of these cars faster using the stock engine as a base will cost the same, but it will, in the end, be a total waste of money in comparison to what you can get if you switched to a different engine platform, like v6->v8, or 350 to 400, or 383 to LS1 or LQ4, or naturally aspirated to turbo. Just a decent exhaust system from headers to a catback can easily cost you $500-$1000 and that doesnt net you much power.

If you dont want to race theres not a huge compelling reason for spending the money unless you just want to, and even though a lot of people DO, you being as young as you are need to stay away from taht stuff til your 20s at least. You'll end up wrapping a quick car around a lightpole.

DethVenture

[QUOTE=InfernalVortex;5249897]No matter how you cut it, to make one of these cars significantly faster will cost you several thousand dollars. To make some of these cars faster using the stock engine as a base will cost the same, but it will, in the end, be a total waste of money in comparison to what you can get if you switched to a different engine platform, like v6->v8, or 350 to 400, or 383 to LS1 or LQ4, or naturally aspirated to turbo. Just a decent exhaust system from headers to a catback can easily cost you $500-$1000 and that doesnt net you much power.

If you dont want to race theres not a huge compelling reason for spending the money unless you just want to, and even though a lot of people DO, you being as young as you are need to stay away from taht stuff til your 20s at least. You'll end up wrapping a quick car around a lightpole.[/QUOTE

Oh, the only thing I want to modify is maybe a third brake light and some flowmasters. Maybe a K&N Air filter, but that's about it.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

well as long as you aren't going into it thinking it's a performance upgrade, there's no reason not to

89JunkerRS

All go, and no show for me, for the time being anyway.



I'd rather have a fast car that looks slow than a slow car that looks fast

58mark

iTrader: (3)

does that car even have an engine in it? It looks like there is a foot of clearance above the front fenders

89JunkerRS

No engine at the moment, so i really have neither

working on a 383 lt1

adamemerson

., . . . . .

coneheadjimmy

iTrader: (2)

Up to this point, I have concentrated strictly on appearance. The paint and clearcoat on my IROC were so bad I was ashamed to drive it. I have also re-done the entire interior while the car was in paint and body. Car has the original 305 / auto powertrain with 66K, and runs perfectly. However, we all know how anemic that combo is performance-wise. Currently exploring options for some H/P upgrades. Link to pix is below....... Enjoy and keep 'em coming

http://s1205.photobucket.com/albums/...erior%20Views/

adamemerson

Id rather have power over looks

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

Who are you referring to as young?

58mark

iTrader: (3)

probably you... your profile does say you are 18.

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

I know what you mean.. unfortunatly i got used to it. Not the paint but interior. No headliner, sail panels, a pillars, or any of the plastic interior trims. The sad part is that i have it 95% of it. But my t tops love leaking so id rather redo them first instead buying all the new parts over again.

Shes doesnt look too bad! Redo that rust and rear bumper and slap some paint on

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

Damn it. Guess i gotta change it so i dont get crap about having a somewhat quick car.
Not trying to be a dick Inferno, but i have parents to tell me these dangers. Save your ranting. Not EVERY kid treats their cas as if should be in F&F. Some of us respect the **** we built.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I know it says power but one of the first and most effective ways to use the power you have is to gear the car properly and a posi unit. That is what has really woke up my little 5.0. That and beleave it or not a little Corvette servo in the trans. It shifts nice and firm and the tires do spin a little but then digs into the road very nicely off the line and then a bark and a chirp from the tires as it goes through the gears.

58mark

iTrader: (3)

we were all 18 once...the temptation is too great to see what a fast car can do, and I've never met anybody under 25 that thought that they would EVER get in a crash. I'm not even talking about damaging a third gen, I'm talking about you seriously hurting yourself, or others.

It's like giving an arsonist a blowtorch for his birthday. Sooner or later, somebody is going to get burned.

ghost91

Appearance first. Tuesday I'm getting my front nose redone, then buying a nice set of bf goodrichs, then moving on to a new set of headers. In the end your wallet will always be sad, but you'll be happy with whatever you choose to do. I'd go appearance IMO.

88blackiroc

iTrader: (1)

Nice comparison. **** happens. As you said, we were all 18 once. We all have to/had to live and learn on our own at some point. Ill do it to one day more than likely the hard way. Anyways like i said, ive heard enough horror stories and advice about wrecks and driving safe. The best way for me to learn is on my own. The preaching gets old guys, sorry. I dont need to hear anymore so...

BACK TO TOPIC

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

My brother had a SBC 400/T5 powered 92 camaro at 18. Had 4.10 gears and would bark the tires into 3rd gear. Never crashed it, never got into trouble. At 19, he had an 87 regal T with a few mods. Thing moved....he never crashed that.

When I was 19, my cammed 305 TPI/5 speed was making 235 RWHP and I beat on it constantly. Never crashed it or got into much trouble with it. At 20, I owned a 2000 Firehawk with 345 HP and never crashed. Not all 18 year olds are the same. Some of them that are brought up in a car family learn to respect thier cars and to respect HP in general. Your always going to have the retards that give younger kids a bad name, but the same goes for everything. How many people own guns? How many of those people have killed sombody with a gun? Now guns have a bad name because of a few idiots. Thats the way things go. Don't point fingers at everyone the same way.

garner

I know I've done some dumb stuff and I'm only 17. Totaled my 06 mustang when I was 15 in the first storm I had driven in, went through a set of tires on my 2011 ram R/T when I was 16 in less than 7,000 miles by doing a bunch of burnouts, totaled my 93 camaro z28 after a tire blew while going 100+, done burnouts in my firebird, sped and raced in my 04 sentra spec v, done burnouts in my 00 mustang, and done burnouts in my new 2012 ram. Gotta live and learn. You can follow what people tell you to do and not to do but if you ever get in a certain situation then you won't know what to do

whitedevilTA

iTrader: (8)

^^^ Ehhhh...why were you driving at 15 years old?? And how did you have a 2006 mustang at 15 years old? Or a 2011 ram at 16? Rich parents or something?

88gunmetalgta

iTrader: (1)

^It really doesn't sound like youve done too much learning! All my vehicles have died natural deaths (crushing once they're rusted beyond hope), or been sold.


Performance vs looks? Gotta be performance. I bought my car cuz it looked nice and I didnt have to worry about fixing rust. Can't see all the blemishes in the paint from more then 5ft away! All the mods I've done since are to make it faster. (well I guess the radio and steering wheel don't make it any faster.)

garner

Permit. And I can go on with the list of cars lol. And rich military