96 firebird 3.8 replace.

Really? I think it's time to quit feeding the troll..

In reply to ilovevintage:

Wow, you are a berkeleying idiot Do you know WHERE your berkeleying Firebird was built? Newsflash Nostradumbass, it was in CANADA. That's not 'Murica.

And bragging about you being able to do E36 M3 in half the time with a $20 socket set when you clearly don't know your ass from a hole in the ground? Get real kid, even the least mechanically-inclined person here could rebuild a car before you figured out where the oil goes.

I'm done here, and so is everyone else.

Just ban this troll.

This thread made me crosseyed.

Can we vote a topic down? My head hurts..

I think this tar baby's yanking your chain...

Guy with 3.8 Camaro asking if we are scared of American muscle. Surely he is joking...

I also enjoy how he misspells his own hometown in his profile unless there actually is a lousvillr ky.

I don't usually get headaches. I use slang more than probably anyone else here, but after the last page, I have a headache.

Whatever guys.i still learned something.quess ill go to another site probly get banned there too.i dont care.

ilovevintage wrote: can you take nothing and make something out of it?

No, but we can come pretty close. Lots of GRMers have build very nice locosts (Hess, SkinnyG, Keith...I'm sure there are a ton of others. Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.) I'm trying the same, and my sheet metal body panels are ALL made out of trash (scrapped appliances.) That is not "nothing" but it is a fair approximation of it.

Seriously, this is not the group to cop an attitude with. We (i.e. the GRM forum members) are all about the cheap DIY budget build. Next month we'll be meeting in Gainesville to watch drag races, autocrosses and a car show for things that cost $2013 to build.

Some of the people above are being slightly rude (because they are frustrated) but the advice they are offering to you is good. take it.

ilovevintage wrote: Whatever guys.i still learned something.quess ill go to another site probly get banned there too.i dont care.

Seriously? People try to give you some useful advice and you cop an attitude because they are tired of repeating themselves over and over again. The folks who are posting here have been where you are going and were trying to give you the benefit of their experience. Maybe you should care.

ilovevintage wrote: Whatever guys.i still learned something.quess ill go to another site probly get banned there too.i dont care.

BTW, nobody has banned you. I'd like you to stick around and learn. Pay attention to the people who are trying to teach you.

I wasnt talking about everyone.but hey like the appliance metal thing.recycle man.

What it comes down to is dont want to get rid of it.there so much that could be done far as motors body.i really dont know what ill do.just gathering as much info as possible so i can make a plan and stick with it without giving up.

I wanted to do 5.7 swap.but after all ive seen the 3800 motor can be powerfull.

Would u rather spend 3,000 on a car already done or end up spending more on car u build but done it all yourself paint and motor.

I found bunch sites to join just haven't.

Is this more of a track race site?well i think ill join that camaro site,but alot these sites are going dead.i see this one here being here in 10 years thats why i jioned.

Maybe i should just pay someone to do the work.but then wont learn nothing and dont even have pockets let alone deep pockets.

I really want to know some mods to do to this motor for after i pull it to gain enough power to run in the 12-13's such as pully intake cam rockers.but for under 1,500 thats all i really want.i can get motor out.also about headers and back flow.it will have flowmaster not magnoflow .

Ive alway like painting and would really like to do that job after.i want to be proud of it.certain things i like and will only use or do to it because im hard headed and want to see what will happen.getting lost alot of these sites wanting u to buy there overpriced products when theres alternatives such as junk yard finds.

Ok, lets start over.

For what you want to do, IMO you should just fix whatever is wrong with the 3800, sell the car and find a V8 model (Formula, Trans Am or Z28). You can find one for around 2.5 to 4k, even less if you are willing to put in some work.
By the time you get done modding what you have to run 12-13's you are going to have way more than 1500 in the car, possibly more than twice that at which point you are behind the curve.
Nobody here is saying it can't be done, what they are saying is it can't be done cheaply with what you have. It's more cost effective to start with a V8 car that can run high 13's stock than to mod what you have to run that fast. The parts you will need to make a V6 4th gen run 12-13's are not in any junk yards I know of, or else lots of other folks would have done it by now on the cheap.
If you like the car, keep it and mod it, an aftermarket supercharger or turbo is a good mod on the 3800, they do respond to forced induction very well. There was an article about a guy who built that combination in GM High-Tech performance magazine some years ago. Managed to find the article Turbo V6 Firebird But don't expect to build a setup like this for under 1500 bucks.
Folks here are not trying to bag on you, just trying to help you be realistic about your choices so you don't wind up with a pile of parts that used to be a nice car.

ilovevintage wrote: I wasnt talking about everyone.but hey like the appliance metal thing.recycle man.

<==Thanks. It's a replica of a 1932 datsun. I linked to it early in your first thread.

ilovevintage wrote: Would u rather spend 3,000 on a car already done or end up spending more on car u build but done it all yourself paint and motor.

I'm all about the fabrication, and learning how to do stuff.....far more than the competition. I know there are others that way here, too. I'd say JThw8 probably falls into the same camp. There are some, like Andy Nelson who are AMAZING fabricators, but they are mostly about building cars to compete with (....and kicking butt as they do it!!!!)

ilovevintage wrote: Is this more of a track race site?

This is a diverse site. Some people are all about racing, some are all about building. You will find more motorsports guys here than most car sites, but I think the common thread is "doing more with less" and DIY.

ilovevintage wrote: Maybe i should just pay someone to do the work.but then wont learn nothing and dont even have pockets let alone deep pockets.

I understand, and also have limited finances. I started collecting the equipment for my build three years before I actually began doing it. Spreading the purchases out over that time made them less painful. See my signature file? "PennyAnteRacing" ought to make it clear that I'm not flush with cash, either, and that I'm all about doing things on the cheap.

No sheetmetal brake? I bent my sheet metal with a hammer, tubing and clamps. I didn't want to spend the money on an oak mallet for metal shaping, so I made one from scratch.

You are in the exact same situation that most of us were just a couple years ago. Don't give up.....but listen to these guys, they are trying to help you.

Gearheadotaku wrote: Is this an auto or manual car? Swapping to a V8 would require an complete harness, PCM, accessories, mounts, and possibly a different transmission. Not worth the trouble. Just put in another V6 and drive it, or sell for profit.

Back to the start. If you're willing to put in the work for the electronics and all, go for it. That's a lot you have to do just to avoid getting a higher performance model. I get attached to my cars, but rarely have major projects like this. I've got a RB20DET going into an S13, but was able to modify the harness to fit the electronics and the opposite end almost perfectly matched up for the ECU.

Can you solder properly? Do you have the money for parts you'll need? Upgrades for any performance upgrades you'll possibly need? May be cheaper to get a V8 counterpart.

ValuePack wrote:

Travis_K wrote: Does anyone remember that guy who was around here for a while that really really liked toyota echos?

I don't. Please tell me the story, it'll help break this neverending thread up a bit. didthe ecko kid have good exhalst?I likr good exhalst.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/beaterworld/comments/page1/

There were a few others that I think were the same person, I don't remember all the other account names though.

Oh god, I remember Beaterworld. He was...special.

Ha! Friggin' beaterworld, now I remember. Wonder if he's been committed yet.

I think u guys enjoyed having that guy around by what ive read.

Ok just checked my rearend code and it says i have 3.08.is that good ratio? Or is it more for hwy use? Is there any other codes i should check to see if maybe has special suspension package?i here 3.23 is better.but 3.08 kinda sounds split between the 2.73 and 3.23 so would do good on takeoff and on hwy.am i right?

My recommendation would be to put a used motor in this car and use it as a cheap daily driver if you really want to keep it. Then, find a V8 model that you like, even one with some issues, and get it and build it as you go and as funds allow.

The engine that is in it is suppose to be newer with less miles just got hot blew a ring.i can go get motor running for 500 but want to upgrade a little while i have it on stand,paint new oil pump,cam rockers.i should be able to get all that for 1,000 i hope.really want high performance oil pump.maybe few chome pieces.thinking about stripping body of car down too to paint at same time.ill be changing color so have to take as mm any parts off i can.i know it can get exspensive and doing 5 projects at once isnt good,but i always do.i want this blue color my dad had on his 87 man does it attract attention that metalic royal blue.

If i end up with 5k whatever.i have to paint it and seems easier while motor out that way there wont be any overspray on bottom and ill already have jacked up to get to everything.

I tried to go to this dam camaro site and ofcoarse they didnt highlight link to activate.

I want a big cam thats good but dont know where to get it.

Ill just have heads checked for leaks no work.ill do valves myself if i have to use a drill on everyone.

Im thinking 400 for cam and dont know what else ill need want to eliminate cat and resinator with bigger exhalst and flowmasters.

I need to know how to improve airflow in.i read about using series 2 intake,but read so many threads confused.

I cant put big back flow without nothing comeing in.

I dont want v8 no more gas hogs.

Once i find out what i need then i will research the best way to install.

On one site just set of rockers had whole lot of power.would like to put new main seals in too,but if good wont mess with.

Im not installing without new oilpump unless i will have to drop crank.then will have to put new other stuff.havent checked on that.

As long as motor quiet ill buy and dont want to touch bottom.

Wonder how much power you can add with.030 rebuild?

If my girl just give me 5k be nice i go to town.

I buy and sell thats how i make little cash.mopeds 4wheelers,boats.most i buy cheap and easy fixes.buy batterys resale them.pick free stuff up sell it.find alot gold silver at thrift stores.one day might get 400 other days might waist money.quess i need to go back to work.did couple weeks ago but quit because they was all drug attics.the 450 a week was good.but had to quit.

Is jegs where i should buy?

I could probly get money now from girlfriend but want to get money myself youknow what i mean.if i buy this motor have to take down to heads and see how clean and have heads tested.

Whats good chrome headers i could use for around 300?

ilovevintage wrote: i have to paint it and seems easier while motor out that way there wont be any overspray on bottom and ill already have jacked up to get to everything.

Yes, it will always be easier to paint with the engine out. Surpisingly good engine bay detailing can be done with the engine in, though. Check out some of Javelin's build threads. (...and thank him for the lengthy posts he has made in this thread giving you good advice. He knows his stuff. Yes, he said some harsh stuff when he got irritated. Ignore that....you'll live a happier life.)

I tried to go to this dam camaro site and ofcoarse they didnt highlight link to activate.

ilovevintage wrote: I want a big cam thats good but dont know where to get it. [....] Is jegs where i should buy?

Jegs is reputable, so is Summit.

Shop around. Vendors can have the same manufacturer's stuff, but have different prices on it, or not have ALL of the things from that vendor. When I was looking for steering components, I found that both Speedway and Summit stocked equipment from Flaming River, but neither one stocked the entire catalog. I ended up having to buy some stuff from each to get what I wanted.