Buying a 3rd gen Firebird...Should I...

[96Firebirdlgv82]

I'm going to be buying a 3rd gen Firebird soon. I'll be getting a 91 or 92. How is the reliability of a formula engine? Also, what would be the cost of a brand new formula engine? V8 engines are pretty cool, though. I was thinking I could buy a V6 Firebird for cheap and then drop a kickass engine there and maybe add some mods. This will be my first 3rd gen. I just wanted to see what you guys recommend. I would appreciate anyone's advice.

[MrDude_1]

heh, get a V8 one to start with, its not worth the added cost and hassle to switch....

get the best damn one you can afford too... not a trashed one.

[96Firebirdlgv82]

C'mon guys, help me out here! oh yea, thanks mr dude

[Joez88Camaro]

If you want best power for money i'll give it to you this way straight up. He's right, start out with a V8, a 91 or 92 is good looking and has a bit more power. Try to get TPI, not TBI if you can. This is because if you get a Throttle Body Injected (TBI) car over a Tuned Port Injected (TPI) the first mod you'll want is to convert it and it's a bigger hassle and more expensive. I wish I knew that 5 months ago. Also 91+ cars used a more reliable speed density fuel TPI system over the earlier Mass air flow TPI systems. It's good for an extra 20 horses if you get one after 91. You can get a 305 engine and swap it for a 350, but again, bigger hassle and more money. If you're getting a 91+ try to get the 350 TPI engine. Also get in writing what engine you get because some people try to lie and say a 305 is a 350. Camaro's ain't that bad either. They are exactly the same engine wise. So if you're looking at a formula most likely you'll get a handling package, not a special engine one. Try looking at GTA firebirds for something cool. Just don't get the V6 (unless you see a V6 Turbo TA in your price range, snatch it!). Also if you get a convertible, don't get one if any of the parts whatsoever are missing. You'll pay out the ass to replace so you'll end up living without them. Do a compression test yourself or have a mechanic that isn't his do it. You can tell the engines shape this way. Drive it a bit, see if you like it, and good luck. Trust me, these are great cars.
Mr. Dude is right too, best damn car interior, paint, and engine wise you can get. If it needs a good repaint, that's $2000 easy. Engine can vary a lot, but it's a bunch. Avoid anything with body work because most likely you'll avoid it. Unless you need a car now save up for a while to get the best you can get. It'll be worth it.

[96Firebirdlgv82]

I'm just starting to learn about these things. Can anyone explain to me what TBI and TPI is? I know that TPI stands for Tuned Port Injection but I'm still somewhat perplexed. :conf:

[Joez88Camaro]

Now you get to the complex stuff. Throttle body injection (TBI) is basically a 2 barrel carb with 2 injectors squirting the fuel down into the throttle body unit. This then goes down into the intake and to you cylinders blah blah. Tuned port injection (TPI) is when you have a single fuel injector to each cylinder. This allows for a much better fuel/air mixture making it more efficient and also producing more power. A TBI setup looks like a basic carb setup with a single snorkel air cleaner or if someone wanted more power a standard open element. TPI looks like "a metal spider humping the top of the engine." TPI lets more air into the engine and has a long runner design, instead of TBI's carb style intake, which gives it more low end power. You'll see there are a bit more mods to do with a TPI engine. However if you aren't too concerned about gas and you live in an area where emissions isn't a problem you could dump both and just put in a Carb, that way you have less problems, cheaper maintainance, no electrical BS, and cheap power! I'd go carb but I live in california, so next summer it's TPI.

[96Firebirdlgv82]

Oooooooooh, I get it now! :thumbup: So, my 96 Firebird would be a TPI, right? It's a V6...