Need some help with a decision

[quick86]

The FFF turbo kits are now made with forward sweeping headers (first kits mated up to tubular stock manifolds) and sell for $4500. Not sure what problems you heard about them, I have heard good things except some people needing to extend one pipe past the front sway bar.

I would build your motor up with forged internals and then throw on some abbotts racing stage 3 heads/intake and turbo cam. Then get that FFF turbo kit on there and you will be flying. There are some sweet turbo fbody guys right now knocking on that 11.8 record. The 11.8 record was done on a completely stock motor using a powerdyne and nitrous. Imagine that thing with a built engine and some top end work, mmmm.

Yeah, theres a guy here in Lansing who was using the FFF kit, one of the first ones, NONE of the pipes fit correctly, and he had to completely fab up the intercooler piping to the throttlebody.

[willasc]

I know I'm a newbie here, but IMHO: Keep in mind that the more mods you do, the harder it would be to maintain. Even simple maintenance and repair can become nightmare. In this case, swapping in a V8 from a V6. Not to say a turbo kit is a small task by any means. But a well built turbo kit would be less of a hassle than to tear the whole car down. I have had W body car before and had both 3800performance.com and ZZperformance guys worked on my car, give them a call and they could probably give you some good info. I know that the Cartuning Turbo kits for F bodies should be out soon. I never paid attention before because I had a 2000 Impala. Hope that helps.

[97BlackBird]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I only want to get into high 12's low 13's. I already have money put aside for the new car I just have to wait until next year cus thats when I move. Yea I knew about the FIRST FFF turbo kits and alot of 3.8 guys said they had exhaust manifold leaks. I've also heard about the new kits with the forward sweeping headers and was going to check that out. I've heard about the STS kits but a guy on the firebirdv6.com forums said he had to do extensive fabbing. And lastly if anyone could find out more about the cartuning turbo kit for the fbody I would really appreciate it. And again thanks ALOT guys for all the input. Really helped.

[97rs4life]

the cartuning kit has been said to be coming out soon now for over 2 years. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it. Plus it won't even be intercooled.

If you are only looking for low 13s, slap on some nitrous like I did and also the abbotts stage 3 setup. The stage 3 setup alone without nitrous run about 270 to the wheels with a manual trans and also do low 13s in the quarter. Then slap nitrous on top of that and you would be killing.

[phoenix_rising]

I was telling him about how a 3.8 can hit 9's. I was talking about the GTP but not suggesting an engine swap. Merely bringing in another basis for discussion. I belong to another web site where they celebrate all GM V6 autos not just fbodies so I am learning about F, W, and G bodies.

No.
The Firebird/Camaro motor is most similar to the L36, the unsupercharged motor. The L67, the supercharged motor, is very different. You can't put an L67 in an F-body because of the cowl clearance. You'd be better off starting from the ground up with a turbo RWD 3.8 build.

Or you could save yourself tons of money and go much much faster with an LT1/LS1..

[Orange Terror]

I was telling him about how a 3.8 can hit 9's. I was talking about the GTP but not suggesting an engine swap. Merely bringing in another basis for discussion. I belong to another web site where they celebrate all GM V6 autos not just fbodies so I am learning about F, W, and G bodies.

I know how to get a 3.8 to hit 9's, drop it off a cliff or a building, lol.

[wezeles]

someone just needs to make a kit to fit a newer turbo 3.8 in it.. im sure with lowered motor mounts...which help with your center of gravity anyway... and a little bit of cutting it wouldnt be to bad... cant just expect it to bolt right up... kinda suprised no one makes some kind of adapter to get the trottle body back to the front of the motor or something... clear that cowl issue... would have been worth it 10 years ago but now i dont think there would be that great of a market for it...

[97BlackBird]

Hey 97rs4life where would I be able to get the abbotts stage 3 from??

[willasc]

the cartuning kit has been said to be coming out soon now for over 2 years. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it. Plus it won't even be intercooled.

If you are only looking for low 13s, slap on some nitrous like I did and also the abbotts stage 3 setup. The stage 3 setup alone without nitrous run about 270 to the wheels with a manual trans and also do low 13s in the quarter. Then slap nitrous on top of that and you would be killing.

I know a lot of people complaint about cartuning and it takes them forever to come out with something, tend to be true really. But they did come out for the W body car late last year and the kit for F body shouldn't be too long I imagine. They do seem to be a better fitting kit than others. Then again, I don't have one so I can't say that for sure.

[quick86]

If it were me, and I wanted a fast ass 3.8 car, I'd find a wrecked T-Type/GNX/Turbo 3rd gen TA and go from there.

[97rs4life]

Hey 97rs4life where would I be able to get the abbotts stage 3 from??

http://www.abbottracingheads.com/gm3800.html

That is their website for the heads, intakes, cam and such. Great guys with some very good products. They are the best for the 3.8l crowd, better than the zzp, ssm and intense heads when a comparison was done on them.

[willasc]

Actually that's not a bad idea, how would the electronics in the car work with the older engine you think?

[wezeles]

not at all..lol the GN/GNX/TTA's are what 10 years older... complete different wiring and controls, but the mods are cheeper and would be a good start... but for room i dont know... thouse engine bays are way bigger than a 4th gen the engine would bolt in, but as for the turbos and access.. clearing it i dont know it would be damn tight for sure...

[MattODoom]

If it were me, and I wanted a fast ass 3.8 car, I'd find a wrecked T-Type/GNX/Turbo 3rd gen TA and go from there.

GNXs go for a TON of money.

Third gen TTA's are uber rare, and use a special cylinder head, so you wont be able to get the motor cheap.

And a wrecked TType will likely be parted out as the LC2 motor is worth a pretty penny.

[quick86]

Still a LOT better starting place than a 3800 or a 3.4

And yes, Turbo 3.8 swaps have been done 4th gens