I recently picked up this 1996 Firebird 3.8 with two friends because we're going to build a track car.





We picked up the car for $600 with a knock and are going to part out the accessories and engine to buy a Z28 donor from a friend. I'm aware that an LT1 swap won't be easy and buying a Z28/TA would be best, but this car was a steal and is too pretty to sell.

The Bird is pretty bare bones. There are no T-Tops, power windows, locks, mirrors, and no cruise control. I'd like to know if anyone has stripped down the interior and removed the luxury features of the Z28/Trans Am for weight reduction and saw a noticeable difference in drag times.

 

Every little bit helps. and stuff adds up quick. Spare tire and jack to start with. Yank the back seats if they'll go un-used. Get some lighter wheels and tires rather than those big ugly chrome things. Rear seat belts wont be needed if you remove the rear seats and those suckers weigh a good amount. In the end, remove everything you will not use, and you'll notice a difference. Power is only 30% of racing. Weight is the other 70%

 

I bought the car from a father whose son had the car for only 2 months before it developed a knock. I think the boy was a bit too throttle happy and spun a bearing, most likely because the car was rolling on extremely heavy 20's. Wheels that big and heavy probably strained the 117k engine beyond its limit. Luckily, his dad also included the stock 16's which are what I've got on now.

Chrome polished and ready for Craigslist! I love chrome wheels, but that's way too intricate and over the top. My muscle car doesn't need any bling.

 

^That's a good start. You already got rid of half of the useless needed weight hahaha

 

Those rims are ugly. Just saying. But you can probably sell them for what you bought it for. Nice buy.

 

typicly every 100lbs is .1 second faster, but thats a rule of thumb for well built cars. something a bit more stock and the gains will be multiplied

 

sub'd for updates. I really wanna see how this plays out.

p.s. thank you for selling those rims.

 

We dropped the oil pan and found play on connecting rod 3, bad rod bearing.

One of the co-owners of the car is reluctant to buy a Z28/TA donor car and would rather buy parts from a nearby junkyard. I don't think he knows how long the shopping list will be...

K-Member
Motor Mounts
Complete LT1 Motor
LT1 Wiring Harness
LT1 PCM
Radiator
Cooling Hoses
LT1 Front Coil Springs
Gauge Cluster
T56
Bell Housing
Clutch Disc
Pressure Plate
Clutch Fork
TOB
Transmission Mounts
Hydraulic Clutch System
Hydraulic Clutch Pedal Assembly
Driveshaft
LT1 Rear
LT1 Hubs
LT1 Disc Brakes
New ABS module
New Fuel Pump

What else? I'd assume new shocks, struts, control arms, etc. This is all going to amount to more than a fair condition LT1 F-Body and won't be possible financially without a donor. Unless I can convince him otherwise, I'm thinking it would be best to fix the knock and sell the Bird for $3,000, then buy a Trans Am.

It's a shame because I love the look of it.

 

man you beat me to it

 

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