RenoLB8

I was just brainstorming my long term engine plans, and it occured to me that all the appearence mods I want to do, and all the engine mods, come out to roughly the same price. Which should I do first though?

-Reno

Ovrclck350

My opinion as long as the car runs well in the first place, is LOOKS. I mean, most thirdgens I see out there are ragged out beaters. Now most people on this board care for their car the right way, which shows by their enthusiasm on the boards, and the 9million posts this site receives, so I'm not talking about their cars. I mean in general. SO i say as long as you're runnin fine, make it look nice, because while you're at it, you're bringin a little respect back to ALL of us thirdgenners. That's just my opinion, to each his own.

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See pics @ Billy's Firebird
92 Bird 3.1L Auto
Best $750 I ever spent....
DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!
Kills:
93 Mustang LX (Before Mods)
98 or 99 Dodge Stratus (tough one, edged out at 40)
92 Camaro RS 305 TPI
Close Calls
94 Grand Am 3.1 V6
92 Cavalier 3.1 V6
01 Porsche 911 Turbo (Had em till first gear)
Mods-Jet Stage 2 Performance Chip, Accel Cap/Rotor, Accel 8.8 MM Wires, Accell Coil, AC Delco Rapidfire Plugs, Dynomax Catback, K&N
AIM name OVRCLCK350

20-psi

In my case I didn't have to do too many mods to make it fast so I did the looks first. I put chrome pieces in the engine bay. Whenever I show it off everybody goes ooh ahh. Some people see this and say they will not race me because the chrome makes it faster.

You have to decide for yourselft which is most important for you. Mine was easy because it was already fast.

Pete

87RS402

As long as it looks good. ( Bright paint, a fresh wax, no dents. ) I think the engine and body mods should be balanced. All show and no go vs. gray primer @ 120 mph. They should compliment each other.

Ovrclck350

I dunno, hell, I'd drive a Ferrari powered by a 4Banger Iron Duke if i had to.....just cuz I'd still be stylin

TTA850

Power,thats what it's all about.I don't care how it looks if it can't get out of it's own way.Chrome is nice but pointless.

Definatly POWER

Steve

buddman91rs

think for a minute, i'd rather have 6 different colors of primer and and a peice of crap body and interior to have a 502 ram jet under the hood.....and a vin plate that says it's a v6 hehehe frankly i think if you go with looks your going to be caught with your pants around your ankles when you go to race someone(and you are going to race right??? )

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1991 RS LO3
mods: 14" chrome air cleaner, straight-piped after cat exhaust with one chrome dual tip on the left side.
future mods: headers, removing smog equipment, and as many cheap mods as i can find
aol s/n: budman8503

KED85

In LA, I drive my Firebird as the secret weapon, now. I have different colored nose & primer passenger fender on it, now. No one looks twice at it and can park it safely.
I can't do that with my 1974 Corvette, 1968 Camaro (already once stolen & recovered), 1967 RS/SS Camaro Convertible 4-Speed (already stolen once and recovered, too).
My 1985 Blazer has head gasket problems, so I'm not driving that often anymore.
But, this 1985 Firebird goes like stink with the 40K 3.4 under the hood! I can't wait to get the tranny firmed up, after I do the dash gauge swap.

I'm for speed & power, anyday!
Looks sometimes counts. I do keep it clean and I will paint those two panels, someday. And repair the rear bumper, too.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

KeithO

Ask yourself this question:

If you had a choice, would you prefer to

Look good losing

or

Look bad winning?

That's how I look at it.

Engineboy

Pretty colors and chrome doesn't make it go any faster....

Power over looks any day.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

TomP

I say it depends on who you hang with, and what you'd rather hear about your car. Primer's awesome in some states, but in NJ, it doesn't work. (Trust me I tried ) As long as you have the body in great shape (good paint & no rust) then you could buy one speed part, one appearance part, one speed part, one ....


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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!

87RS402

Whew, Thanks Tom. I was starting to feel alone here.

Reno, Look at it this way if you want. Primer at 125 mph attracts guys, A shiny car at 12.5 mph attracts some really cute girls

1984-Firebird-SC

My opinion: If your car's slow as crap (a.k.a. mine), go for looks first, cuz I think there's no point to a fast car if it looks horrible. I'd much rather win a show and shine than a drag race. But the ultimate decision is really up to you. Good luck!

RenoLB8

Well, now looks are a primary factor. I was washing it today, and the hack paint job I had a friend's uncle do on my hood started to bubble and actually pop. Ther's a swath of bare metal. like 3" by 4"!!! No big deal really, since I'm getting the fiberglass hood in a few months, but I'm contributing the the bad rep of F-bodies until then! =(

-Reno

scoob8000

as i was once told by a oldhead biker.. chrome wont getcha home.. which is the truth, but i still like to see a nice lookin car with power.. whats havin a crappy lookin car with power to boot, sure youll be able to power tour with the primer gang that took their paint money and bout a set of heads.. or would you rather be the one to get your car in the magazine cos it looks good? my vote is to balance looks and power.. they need each other...

JoeG-89RS

As I have a crappy late 80s GM paint job, I say.... Beauty fades but speed stays enternal...

3.1 firebird

you need both, but here are my rules.

1.if your car is slow,average, decently quick, then dont dress the car up, keep its stock appearance and keep it very clean and in good shape. rims,lowering, and blackouts would be ok, but not much else.

2.if you have a fast car(13.5's or better) then its cool to do whatever appearance mods you want.

3. Fast POS's are fast POS's. Drive it when you wanna race.

Do not drive it when you go on a date,or to a movie,convenience store,department store,cruising,picking up chicks,party's,or work.

follow these rules and you will be very happy, I know I am.

Brian K

Look at it like this:

What will sell your car first if you needed the CASH TODAY...

RenoLB8

Are you kidding? I needed the cash yesterday, and I'll still NEVER sell it. =)

-Reno

Johnny Ray

First I have to determine what is fast.

A 13 second ride is fast if I run mid 15's.

A 13 second ride is slow if I run the high 11's.

Therefore am I willing to jeapordize dependability and reliability for my interpretation of fast?

As for 'good' looks, I ask myself what turns my head when I see a tight ride?

Usually what catches my eye is a 3rd gen that is
(1)super clean, inside and out.
(2)well maintained.





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1992 Artic White Firebird

1997 Black Firebird

RenoLB8

Hey Johnny, check out the midwest board, a post about B-N cruise nights this spring. Interested?

-Reno

import'sdread

You know what got me hooked on these third-gens? Their looks! The fourth-gens might be faster, but they don't LOOK as good.

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1989 Trans Am, 305 TPI 5-speed, T-Tops(love 'em),4-wheel disc, 3.73 posi

Jason E

I completely agree!! Right now I have a choice...I can get a '94 T/A at auction or a mint third gen retail for about the same price (7-8k). Which would I choose? The third gen, for sure. Sure, the 4th gen is faster, but to me, cruising down the road in a nice black '91-'92 Z28 just feels better So what if I get beat to the next light???? I look better doing it!!

And BTW, I agree with Tom..for every speed part, grab an appearance one too. The car will be better balanced throughout the restoration.

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Jason E
"The Cruiser"
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Hypertech chip/K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires, Accel Supercoil/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston plates and 6x9s
Alpine Alarm, Keyless Entry
"It's for sale"

"The Driver"
'95 Grand Am SE 3.1 Coupe
No mods yet...

I'm the only third genner who's daily driver is faster than their third gen!

import'sdread

You can set up a third gen so that it won't get beat light to light! My TA is a monster on the street, but it would probally get killed at the track. So with our third-gens, you can have the best of both worlds!

AT4 T/A

Think of it this way...
That little punk behind the wheel of his hampster powered Honda civic might look cool to himself, but when a primered 3rd gen leaves him choking on tire smoke, all those stickers, stripes, and coffee cans don't mean a damn thing. That's what he gets for not having a throbbing small block under his foot!!!

GOLD85

my friend always says this. "i building a race car not a show car." speed is definatly wher its at unless you have a 2.5 iron duke

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when the green flag drops the bull$hit stops

Curent: 350,performer RPM intake ,650dp, 700r4, headers, 3inch exhast
Spring 01: 406, Comp 282 solid cam, 2400 stall converter, every thing else the same.

R.I.P #3

diznuff

looks is BS. think about it the grand national is devil black bumper to bumper sure its a great car too (the sweetest v-6 made by buick). And on the other hand you got the gnX a Mclaren (or however you spell it)version of the grand national..it would beat a lamborghini diablo 0-60 and in the quarter mile. they both are black as black can be and people would kill for 1 of the only 547 gnX made...surely not for its designer appeal. So i.m.h.o looks doesnt matter

TomP

If it helps any for 3rd gen vs 4th gen:

The 3rd gen's hoods have a lower cd (wind resistance) than the 4th gens

The 3rd gens have tighter & more accurate front suspensions due to the Macpherson strut design (using struts and no upper control arms).


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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!

HotRod

I always do the engine mods that improve fuel economy first ( exaust, ignition). That way I save money while I am making it look better. Then I go into some of the more extensive engine mods. Everybody is different. I love cars in primer that are very fast but I don't like slow cars in primer. A nice looking car doesn't have to be fast. I have a v6 just to save gas money so I try to keep it looking nice.

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86 Camaro 2.8, 92 Firebird 3.1, 1951 Chev 327, Four-wheeling hybrid.

RenoLB8

Random, but highly educational remarks from TomP...cool!

-Reno

Jason E

I think I'm gonna stick with the third gens (as if it was ever REALLY an issue ). For some reason, even if I get a 305 TPI, I think I'll be pleased with the power

TomP

Hehehe, just keeping all of you awake!

Oh I forgot one- the 3rd gens actually weigh LESS than the 4th gens. Of course that doesn't help my "of course you won, your car's fenders & doors are plastic" argument.


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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!

82taGODD

please dont tell me you would buy a legendary muscle car for looks?? how retarded is that...

Grim Reaper

Everything is relative. If the car looks reasonably well; then more power.

If the car looks horrible, but runs ok, looks.

And if looks horrible and runs horrible; sell it.

Jason E

I like Glenn's theology

Earlier today, I took the RS out for a ride, as it hadn't left the driveway in almost 2 weeks. I washed and waxed it a week ago, so it was still nice and clean. I'll tell ya, that car gets a LOT of attention, more than I realized before...

BUT...when you put the hammer down, nobody's home. I didn't notice the lack of power until I had another car. The Camaro may get more oohs and aahs, but the Grand Am is the ballsy car out of the two

This isn't meant to put down anyone's V6...hell, I have owned and enjoyed one for 3 years, and the car has been in the family since new. But my vote would have to be to get a car that goes like hell, and if it looks like hell, fix it up so it don't

My vote goes for speed now, and save the pennies so the looks come along too.

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Hypertech chip/K&N filters/Accel 8.8 wires, Accel Supercoil/RapidFires
Eclipse CD and 100x4 amp/Boston plates and 6x9s
Alpine Alarm, Keyless Entry

'95 Grand Am SE 3.1 Coupe
No mods yet...

Long Live #3...

20-psi

When I posted before I said looks are more important at that time because back in 1990 a 12-second street car was very fast and my TTA ran a best of 12.42. Now looks are still key, becasue I don't want to ride in a primered car and yes the TTA will be even faster than before, hopoefully low 11'2 or hi 10's. I have to keep up with my 91 Mustang that run 10.98 already.

Pete

Monkie

Actually now that I think about it...Is there any car that doesn't look good and is fast? All the cars that I have seen that looked good are fast.