Hey guys what do you think about the 1990 Pontiac Firebird 3.1 V6?? I have a bussiness oportunity in which I could get one of these in pretty good shape but I´m wondering if it has good performance or not? I´ve read it comes with 140 hp which seems pretty little power for a 3.1 engine to me since a 2.4 J comes with 150 hp... But the car is RWD, has more torque than a J and it has a very cool look... What do you think?
I've owned 1 turd gen and my brothers each had 2 at one point or another, Your not going to be happy with the 3.1, Hell we weren't happy with the v8's they had either but, there are a ton of parts for the thing. Check your local emmisions laws and if it's as clean as you say swap the motor with something with balls that will make you happier in the long run.
JUCNBST wrote:I've owned 1 turd gen and my brothers each had 2 at one point or another, Your not going to be happy with the 3.1, Hell we weren't happy with the v8's they had either but, there are a ton of parts for the thing. Check your local emmisions laws and if it's as clean as you say swap the motor with something with balls that will make you happier in the long run.
Yeah I know the 5.0 L V8 for that year only has 170 hp LOL... So in that case I would rather go for the 3.1.. And what if we compare the 3.1 against a 2.4 J?? Better performance on the J?? Maybe the way to go would be, as you said, putting a 350 or something else with balls on that thing...
Well what do you want to do with the thing? just dd fun car to drive?
Yeah I just want a fun daily ride... I´m not planning to take it to the track but I don´t want to get embarrassed by a Eclipse, Sentra or Civic either...
Honestly I'd do a little suspension work first, since your going to dd it then your not going to need brake neck accel or top speed. But taking on ramps and other twisty roads in a car capable of handling them makes all the difference in the drivability of an under powered car. Just what I would do If I were to keep the engine in the car as is.
JUCNBST wrote:Honestly I'd do a little suspension work first, since your going to dd it then your not going to need brake neck accel or top speed. But taking on ramps and other twisty roads in a car capable of handling them makes all the difference in the drivability of an under powered car. Just what I would do If I were to keep the engine in the car as is.
Yeah, and I guess there will be a lot more to check and upgrade if I decide to go for it.. Do you know how much it takes for the 3.1 to hit 60?
The majority of cars on the road would walk a 3.1 auto f body. I'd honestly save up a little more money and get a v8 version IMO- it will be better than any v6 that is upgraded. I've seen many nice formulas and trans ams for $2500 and under
Robtco99 wrote:The majority of cars on the road would walk a 3.1 auto f body. I'd honestly save up a little more money and get a v8 version IMO- it will be better than any v6 that is upgraded. I've seen many nice formulas and trans ams for $2500 and under
Yes, I understand.. but at least for 1990 the V8 is not an option either.. The only take with this would be to get the car and do a swap with a GM 350 engine or something as we were talking previously.. It´s pretty dissapointing to see some Firebirds, Camaros and Corvettes (Mainly from 80´s and early 90´s) that look so tough and are so weak at the same time having big engines..
The 80s sucked for cars, period.
Im sure if you looked hard enough you could find a cheap LT1 or LT5 to swap into it. That would help it out.
Also keep in mind that F-bodies are ALOT heaver than J-bodies, so even if the 3.1 had 180hp a eco cav would beat it.
"Project 69'"
1969 Chevrolet C/10, 1/2 ton, 2wd
-Boosted LS1?
-Richmond ROD 6-speed(will get sometime)
-Posi 12-bolt(built w/eaton posi unit and richmond 3.73 gears)
-Disc brake and 5 lug swap
+little extras
Rodolfo Perez wrote:Yeah I just want a fun daily ride... I´m not planning to take it to the track but I don´t want to get embarrassed by a Eclipse, Sentra or Civic either...
So, in other words, you want a "fun" car to street race in and don't want to lose to four-bangers? Just say it flat out don't dodge the bullet, lol
Exodus 259 wrote:Rodolfo Perez wrote:Yeah I just want a fun daily ride... I´m not planning to take it to the track but I don´t want to get embarrassed by a Eclipse, Sentra or Civic either...
So, in other words, you want a "fun" car to street race in and don't want to lose to four-bangers? Just say it flat out don't dodge the bullet, lol
haha is not exactly street racing.. I mean I want a car that could eventually kick some ass but not to go every weekend to the track..
I just went to test drive the thing and what can I say???..... It totally sucks... I´d have to lose my mind to change my Sunfire for that piece of crap.. @!#$ slow...
yup but a 350 crate long block with 290 hp is not that pricy......depends what your budget is.... Hell if you can swing 4g's you could swap a 5.3 vortec into the 3rd gen they have all the adaptors you would need form conversion companies onlilne Just a thought.
you kids and your small blocks...turbo...big block?
Rememeber kids... spell check is your friend
Tinkles wrote:The 80s sucked for cars, period.
Only if you bought american:
Supra Celica
Supra turbo
Honda CRX
Toyota AE86/AE92
MR2 AW111
Nissan S13
Nissan 300 ZX Z31 & Z32
RX-7
BMW M3 & M5
VW GTi
Mitsubishi made multiple cars using the 4G6X series engine
80s cars were awesome if you ask me.
2010 Honda Fit LX
Rodolfo Perez wrote:Schaffer wrote:you kids and your small blocks...turbo...big block?
I didn't get this one..
I think he was trying to make fun of the fact that we weren't mentally masterbating over something that we couldn't afford on a realistic budget without winning the lotto or having access to the family fortune.
Rodolfo Perez wrote:Yeah I just want a fun daily ride... I´m not planning to take it to the track but I don´t want to get embarrassed by a Eclipse, Sentra or Civic either...
you WILL bet embarassed by civics if you roll up in a 3.1 F-body.
they are basically the same motor that the 3.1 J's came with just done up for rear drive. however the f body is much heavier than the J.
the only way I would buy a car like that was if the body and interior were in really good condition AND I had the money to swap out the motor also.
some common swaps depending on budjet
sbc swap (the cheapest)
BBC
LSx
buick turbo 3.8.
also, with almost any swap you will need a different trans (the 60* bellhousing is different) and you will need V8 front springs and shocks at least unless you want to nose dive everywhere you go
http://www.myspace.com/yourfavoriteprofile
"Im sure if you looked hard enough you could find a cheap LT1 or LT5 to swap into it."
LT1 or LT4 maybe but not a LT5. LT5 swap may have some other issues that may keep it from being an easy swap.
