Well guys, I think I am just going to throw the towel in on the 3rd gen and finally get myself a 4th gen... Before I do though, I wanted to get some opinions and experiences from all the 4th gen owners out there.
First of all, do you guys run into many overall problems with this generation? I need something reliable for a while and I plan on keeping mine stock until my Talon is finished. Once its done then I will upgrade a few things depending on which model I end up with.
Fuel mileage... Is it really that horrible with the v8's or is it just about as well as the v6's get? As stock? As modified?
Snow drivers... Horrible in the snow? I know I always threw a few salt bags in the back of my Firebird for extra weight and never had any problems in the winter.
The infamous t-top leaks... Just recently my t-tops started leaking some along the corners but not too bad. I know this was a major problem with most others from the 3rd generation and older. Was this setup improved with the 4th gens or are they just as much of a problem as most older t-tops?
Do the trannys take a pretty good beating or are they weaker? I'm still undecided between an auto and standard... I like both but the standard is so much more fun...
Time for the performance opinions... Ok, I have always wanted to finally have a v8. But, with gas prices and the price difference between v6/v8 models I'm almost leaning towards getting a v6 again. Another reason for the v6 would be the fact that theres plenty of room under the hood if I ever want to turbocharge it... But, with the v8 I could have all that power and then some right off the bat. I'm still not sure which I will go with as I'm trying to weigh out my options here and what will best fit my needs for now...
te LS1's get 25mpg on highway or better. And pack over 300hp. i think that is pretty good. if you don't have that much snow, there is not anything to worry about, some sandbag will do fine. And t-top leaks are only on the 3rd gens that i know of. All the 4th gens i see are fine. And the v8's get the same or better mpg as the v6's with ALOT more power. Both the A4's and M6's are good. The M6 can probly handel a little more power than the A4. But if you want to drag i say get the A4, but if you are street/strip, get a M6. Or which ever you run across is the cheepest.
Well... I would really like to go with an LS1. But I will just have to see what good deal I can dig up. I am more so considering a v6 because of the cheapness of it. Of course I'm browsing in a price range of 5,000-10,000ish and I would like to get something with 50k miles or less... If I could find an LS1 within that price range and decent miles then I would probably go for that. But so far my searches in Northeast Ohio hasn't turned up too many decent deals.
BTW what is the compression on the LS1 97cavalier?
The LS1 is 10.1:1 stock. Good for nitrous, but not much boost.
10.1:1 isn't really that high with the aluminum heads.
They mod VERY well. My 1999 made 320 RWHP with a lid and catback on a dynojet.
6-speed cars can see 30+ MPG on the highway. My best was 31 MPG.
Average around town was 23 MPG if I stayed out of it.
__________________ 1999 Pontiac Trans Am WS.6 #1747
Stock'ish'
Yeah, not so great for boost but I'm sure its not the worst. I think Lingenfelter Vettes run a 10.1:1 compression IIRC... Whatever I do get, I will definetly be boosting it sometime in the future.
I am not sure what my gas mileage will be with boost but I was getting high 20's with my near 500 horse 383 LT1. The rears are major weak point and the tranny's can only take so much. Although with a good rebuild with all the right parts they can be made to run well right into the single digits.
If your planning to get a V6 cause of gas mileage, think again cause the feedback I have been getting the V8's might even be more efficient.
__________________
RIP Hypsi - I just want to express I will never be the same after having lost such a good friend. You meant alot to me and I feel I am a better person for having known you. Til the day we meet again my friend you will always be in my heart.
All highway with 3.08's I could get ~27 mpg. I'm not sure with 3.42's though, never tried. I would average anywhere from 19-23 though with a 3.8l a4 and 3.08 gears. I would never buy another v6, except for looks.
First of all, do you guys run into many overall problems with this generation?
Fuel mileage... Is it really that horrible with the v8's or is it just about as well as the v6's get? As stock? As modified?
Snow drivers... Horrible in the snow?
The infamous t-top leaks...
Do the trannys take a pretty good beating or are they weaker?
Time for the performance opinions... Ok, I have always wanted to finally have a v8. But, with gas prices and the price difference between v6/v8 models I'm almost leaning towards getting a v6 again. Another reason for the v6 would be the fact that theres plenty of room under the hood if I ever want to turbocharge it... But, with the v8 I could have all that power and then some right off the bat. I'm still not sure which I will go with as I'm trying to weigh out my options here and what will best fit my needs for now...
All thoughts, opinions and comments are welcome.
Ok my car only has 29,000 miles on it.. I have not had any problems with it at all.
Gas mileage I have an M6 (manual) On the highway I get 32 average 33 best. In the city I can't keep my foot of the gas with the cutout so I usually get 16ish. I have a DD that gets 30+ in the city so I don't drive the SS too much.
Never driven it in the snow so I couldn't tell you. I hear as long as you have snow tires and sand/salt in the trunk your good.
My t-tops leaked untill I got subframe connectors then they stopped. Tranny is pretty stout on the cars as long as you don't do some 5K launches. If you get a v6 and do alot of work to it your gas mileage will be worse that the LS1 in my opinion. If you want the HP get the v8. You'll probably save on insurance but with all the money you dump into a v6 you won't get much past the 320hp mark. Ls1 come with that stock. If you want the hp and gas mileage there's nothing that compares to the Ls1. If you look for the LS1 watch the sail panel bewteen the year 2001-2002 there is a bulletine out on that the clear seperates from the paint due to the glue used to glue that piece on. If you live next to a cool dealer they will replace it for free but you gotta go through a lot of shit. I lucked out I had to drive 300miles round trip to get my sail panel fixed for free.
I have a 99 formula ram air .My problem is this.I have a hyper tec programmer.I keep hitting the rev limiter.How high can I go with it without hurting my engine?Can anyone help? TRICK
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Re: 4th gen Performance and Problems...
