How can I make my weak V6 2000 Firebird faster

[McGoo]

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:

[ChevMCarlo84]

Turbo

[BobC]

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

[Ferrari 308]

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.

[BobC]

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

[Blackbird01]

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

[Blackbird01]

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

[jeff_s]

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

[lrwier]

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.