How can I make my weak V6 2000 Firebird faster

I just recently bought a 2000 Firebird. I really wanted a Trans Am ram air but it was little out of my price range. So I settled for the bird. I loved and wanted the power of the Trans Am that my car doesn't have. I want to be able to give my car a lot more power, so I don't find myself being burnt by cobras, SS and Z28s. I would appreciate it if someone would give me some tips to make my car faster, and some info on rebuilding my chip. :sun:

Turbo :D

The chip won't fix that. You need major help. look in www.firebirdv6.com

The chip would help to some extent, but as Bob mentioned, it wont make a tremendous difference. I'd start slowly and then as time goes on you can upgrade more and more.

A chip might give you 0 to 5 hp. Find someone that bought the chip you are considering and dynoed the car before/after. You really didn't say whether you plan to drag race it or autocross it, or what, which will make a difference as to what mods make sense. You also didn't say what options you have (like A4 or M5), or Y87 or W68?

Most common mods for a 3.8 are catback, cold air intake and headers.

If you want lots of hp, the options I think are nitrous or a supercharger. Either will void your engine warranty.

BTW, the fastest V6 is about 12 sec on nitrous, but its cost him more than trading in for a V8, I'd bet. I had a 3.8 and traded it for my V8. It was cheaper than adding a supercharger.

hope that helps

BobC

Spray it.
If you need to goto the dealership, take the nitrous kit off the car, change the oil and you're back to stock...
Best part is, unlike a supercharger, the nitrous isn't always on, so it's not constantly beating on the engine....

That, or sell your car and buy a T/A

Just did a bit of lookin' around and found a local V6 Firebird around me running 12.3s! That's damn fast for a V6!

Here's a list of his mods:

Cooling System-
160 Thermostat
Manual Fan Switch

Drivetrain-
RK Sport Aluminum Driveshaft
3.42 Gear in LSD

Exhaust-
RK Sport Headers
3" Catilytic Converter with 3" S-Pipe
B&B Tir-Flo Catback

Fuel System-
Walbro Fuel Pump 255ltr/hr. Intank pump
Autometer FP Gauge and A/F Ratio Gauge

Ignition-
High Quality Plug Wires
NGK TR6 Plugs (1 step colder for N2O use)
NGK TR55 Plugs (stock ehat range for N/A use)

Induction-
SLP Cold Air Induction
Removed MAF Screen
Ported TB
Ported & Polished Upper/Lower Manifold

Nitrous-
TNT Nitrous System with WOT Switch

Suspension-
BMR Lower Control Arms
Removed Front Sway Bar

Transmisision-
Vig. 3200 stall Pump #8 Converter
TransGo Shift Kit (set at Level 3)
B&M Trans Cooler

Misc.-
Slicks Skinnies

The majority of these things can either be done for free or bought very inexpensively....except the exhaust, converter and N2O kit of course.

Hope this helps

Get a B&B dual exhaust. It adds a little power, but it makes a cool sound and looks good too. A ram-air hood will help too. I just got a 97 V6 and am thinking the same way you are, except..... Let's face it, a 3.8 is a good all round engine for a daily driver. 200 HP and a little more with minor mods is good enough for me. This engine has a long design history with Pontiac, and dicking with it too much is just going to make it unreliable and a pain in the cheek that holds your wallet.

Jeff

I just purchased my 2002 Firebird and was a little disappointed with the torque. When I start out, the engine sounds too loud and shifts when I do not want it to. I have A4S and now wished I would have gotten 5 speed manual instead but it's water under the bridge now.

I was considering trading it in for a Formula or T/A but I don't feel like being burned by the dealership.

Any suggestions without voiding the warranty and risking reliability issues which has been in the back of my mind but figured I would give it a shot and take great care of it.