I'm a poor white girl with a need for speed and 205hp ain't cuttin' it

[FirebirdGirl]

Hi all! Newbie to the forum here and lovin' it! I've had my '97 bird for alittle over a year (we celebrated our anniversary) and what can I say... she needs more. Most of you are going to laugh it me but I'm prepared because to tell you the truth, I don't know jack about what's under the hood and my budget won't allow anything big to be done. *Getting to the point* I want her to be faster with in budget and was wondering if you all could help me out on what to do and include prices. Demanding, I know! I read the other thread about making one faster but I have no clue what headers do or a catback so it was all just a bunch of words to me. Please HELP!!!

Thanks all!

[DVSNCYNIKL]

Welcome to AF!

It's always good to see a female want to get into the performance scene.

The best advice I can give you is to first, read about what certain products do. Knowledge is very important in this scene and not knowing what you are putting on your car can not only do good, but can also damage it if you put the wrong stuff on.

For beginners, and as with most members on here, you are going to need to establish a budget. Save money, not a great deal till you work your way up. Start with the small stuff, which will eventually lead to bigger things.

One of the simplest things you can start with and really won't produce a great deal of enhancement per-se, like you won't feel a sudden burst is changing your spark plugs, spark plug wires, or better said, get an overall tune up. Nothing hampers performance than used up parts that have no life in them. An average complete tune up can run from 100 to 200 bucks depending on where you go.

Click here! This website contains many parts that are available for your car to mod. Don't rush into getting the expensive stuff as it will be out of your budget. Start with the simple things like exhaust. Read exactly what is involved with one. Headers come next. I really don't have any particular order in which to do things, but you get the idea. Start with the small stuff, then move on to the bigger stuff when you budget allows. Do things little by little. Trust me, everyone on here has found a way. If you have a job, start saving a little extra cash on the side. Let me know if this helps.

[FirebirdGirl]

Very helpful! Given on the big budgeting stuff. I can spend 50-100 per month. Next month I have an extra check coming so I'm looking to stick it under the hood. :sun: I've spent probably $200 on making it pretty. Now I'm looking to give it a reason to look pretty! I got beat by an eclipse! Granted some of them can be fast but COME ON! Definately a motivator in getting her fixed up! Do you know of a performance dictionary or encyclopedia online that can give me the heads up on this stuff? Thanks for the advice and time!

[DVSNCYNIKL]

You can start by reading threads from in here. You should be able to find some general information about pretty much anything out there.

I would also use a search engine like Lycos and just browse the net for information. You could type something like "97 Trans Am". I'm sure you could generate some links and stuff that should help you out.

[Jacy]

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/guides.htm

This is a great web sit to catch up on your reading. Lots of mods and how to's

[lrwier]

FirebirdGirl wrote:

Very helpful! Given on the big budgeting stuff. I can spend 50-100 per month. Next month I have an extra check coming so I'm looking to stick it under the hood. I've spent probably $200 on making it pretty. Now I'm looking to give it a reason to look pretty! I got beat by an eclipse! Granted some of them can be fast but COME ON! Definately a motivator in getting her fixed up! Do you know of a performance dictionary or encyclopedia online that can give me the heads up on this stuff? Thanks for the advice and time!

I am trying the same to mine.

Try this link and let me know what you think. It is the best I found.

http://www.firebirdv6.com/

[swedish]

hi, i agree, its great to another member, especially a female, and i like the unique v6 firebird. my first mod in your price range would be the headers and catback. never fear, headers and catback are just exhaust modifcations, the reason many people get these first is because you can get all sorts of stuff to increase horsepower, but it's almost worthless if the burned up fuel cant leave. it's like if you could breathe in all you want but you had to breathe out through a small straw, not alota fun. you can look for headers online, im not sure if there is a big selection for 6 cylinder, mainly because so many people go apeshit over the 350, and companies respond, but there should be something out there, as far as catback, if thats too hard to find you should be able to find a shop that can fabricate a setup, it shouldn't be to terribly expensive, sorry if i wasn't helpful, but you should be able to find someone that can explain everything better than me, but if you have any questions, feel free to come here for help.

[Stoned Raider]

Originally posted by lrwier


http://www.firebirdv6.com/

I was going to say that,I told my bro about www.camarov6.com

[FirebirdGirl]

OK Catback and headers... Now, just so you can have a laugh:hehehe: ... What are they and what do they do exactly? And, of course, about how much??

Great help!! THanks!

I did check out the firebird V6 website. Only problem is it's in auto lingo so I have no clue as to what exactly these mods are/do/why/cost/etc. Such a beginner, I know! But thanks for all the help guys! I'll get into the know soon enough!

[swedish]

oh yeah, sorry, ok headers replace the very begining of the exhaust system, there are some at rksport , they would require a little saving, but it's really not bad, as far as catback, it's just the rest of the exhaust only it lets more exhaust out.
the why is kinda like i said before, an engine has to breathe out as much as it breathes in, but it can't if it has to send the exhaust through a compartively small tube

[94Firebird]

Yeah I'm in the same position. I just found out today that I am getting 94 Firebird (woulda much rather had a t/a....but ill make due) and the come with something like 160 hp I think. So I am going to start with the exhaust and work my way from there (with the exterior, predator hood, ground effects kit, etc.)

[Stoned Raider]

Help me out with my bro's V6 Camaro http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t39544.html nobody posted yet

[wiked95ta]

like everyone's been saying, exhaust is a good place to start, i'm a V8 guy so i'm not up on the v6 prices, but headers and catback are just the exhaust system (headers attach to the engine and the cat back is the rest of the pipes down to the tailpipes), with that you'll notice a louder, lower more mean sounding car, you'll feel a bit more pull (throw you in the seat upon acceleration) on the top end (high rpm's and speed). second what you can do is a K&N air intake (K&N.com) they have high quality air filters that let your car breathe a little easier, this too you'll notice a little lower sound and more pull on the top end.

i just started modding my t/a and got the air intake (K&N) and catback exhaust and you should see noticable differences.

spark plugs and wires are also good mods.

[jewbacca02]

definitely use www.firebirdv6.com the guys there are very knowledgeable and will help you a lot. The other place you'll wanna check out is http://www.tbyrnemotorsports.com/v6catalog.html they are a performance shop that SPECIALIZES in the V6 F-body. You'll find headers, exhausts, superchargers, nitrous, everything you could need there. Also try www.rksport.com hope that helps!

[kidrocket]

i think it had something like 180hp then. wasnt that the 3.4l V6?