Hi guys, it's been a while. I went to check out an 81 firebird esprit (same thing as a camaro berlinetta basically), and I wanted some advice. Rust wise, the car is ok. The body is clean but rust ate through the bottom of the driver door. There's also a hole on the roof, but it wasn't from rust. It has t tops, which were ok. No scratches, but the will need weatherstripping. The dash is cracked, and the windshield has a nice crack running through it. The body will need some work, it has two large dents in the fenders, and the nose will need to be replaced, and it will need paint. The engine and trans are not original, and the trans leaks from the line to the radiator, slow leak, but it exists. Overall, I thought it was a nice car for the year, but i'd appreciate any feedback you can give me, and maybe advice on an offer for it. Thanks.

 

sounds like a $1200-$1500 offer in the midwest anyway. double check your shock towers and the frame on the rears just behind the doors. Those areas are well known for rot.

 

thanks. i forgot to ask, when this guy told me what kind of transmission it had, he said it was a "300" anyone have any idea what he might have been referring to?

 

That's the warranty! Probably 300 ft. or 300 seconds, whichever comes first! LOL

 

i know the camaros and birds had completely different engine options, but is there any chance they used similars transmissions?

 

Yes they did use the same trans, basically. GM didn't make Pontiac specific transmission models like they did the engines, except for the bellhousing bolt patterns being different.
There's a TH200 and a TH350, so could be the guy got mixed up with the two, or just doesn't know what he's talking about.
Here's how to tell one transmission from another: http://www.layitlow.com/forums/22-ma...formation.html

 

Wow, thanks so much, that was really helpful. Looks like I'm going to get it. The guy let it go for a grand. It'll definitely be an interesting project for the next year.

 

That's the right price range for a project. Sounds like that will leave you more funds to dump into the car now!

 

if definitely will, but i've made a little mistake. the passenger side floor pan, is well, non existant. driver side is ok, trunk is ok, but passenger side needs to be replaced. it is solid around where it is, but i don't really know where to start. i wouldn't even know where to get sheet metal or a replacement floor pan. i will have a full auto shop including welding tools next year in school. also, i drove the car home, and it ran ok. the carb definitely needs a rebuild, or at least a cleaning. the other issue is that the gauges are basically worthless. does anyone know where i might be able to get some aftermarkets maybe? i have the time, and eventually the money, but i don't know who makes good stuff, i'm not really in the f-body game yet.

 

I think alot of guys from the states are using Summit Racing. Me being from Canada, i love to use jegs simply because the way in which they do their billing and shipping. Either of these places are good for things like gauges and other aftermarket parts.