I am considering the purchase of a dedicated event car to take to HPDEs, Time Trials and Hillclimbs. I will most likely contest a Street Prepared class during the timed events, but have not made a final decision. The value represented by the 4th Gen F-body is attractive. I have yet to uncover a single source buyer's that details perfomance affecting year-over-year changes and options. Is there such a thing? Any links or attempts at putting together a brief one here would be appreciated.

This post has been edited by teamDFL: Nov 21 2005, 01:16 PM

I would pick a Firebird body. There's a little more room in the fenders, so fitting 315s will be a little easier. You can still run them on a Camaro too, but you may have to go a little further with rolling the fenders, cutting bumpstops, etc.

The lightest V8 Firebird is probably going to be the Formula.

Transmission gearing was lower in 93 - 2.97 with a 3.something option (or maybe the other way around). 94+ got the 2.66 close ratio first.

A few SS and Firehawk cars got the LT4 in 97, but those are rare.

98+ got the LS1 engine, but the PCM is better for 99+ so I would avoid the 98. The 93~97 LT1 is a little heavier, but it has fantastic throttle response at the bottom end.

There are year to year differences in the LS1 cam, manifolds, injectors, etc, but I don't have all the breakover dates memorized. I'm sure you can find a list somewhere, though.

LS1 cars got better brakes, but LT1 cars got better hydraulics. It's a lot easier to convert an LT1 car to LS1 front brakes than it is to convert an LS1 car to LT1 hydraulics.

Most of the suspension differences are things you will replace anyway.

Well, this is as good of a place as any to piece together a buyers guide. I'll start with some changes that I know, and some that we need years for (when they did it), as we get that info, we can build it into a sticky or at least a concise post.

1993 uses an eprom, not a flash programmable memory.

1996 (was it 1996?) was the first year of OBD II, some LT1 guys are switching back to OBD I computers.

1998 is the first year of the LS1.

2001 and 2002 LS1 cars got a smaller cam but also have the LS6 intake from the Z06. Some claim that those years dyno stronger, but mine didn't. They also have no EGR valve and plumbing on those years.

SS's (from all years as I remember) had the 32mm front sway bar (you'll want a 35mm anyway).

Somewhere they swapped from an Auburn limited slip to the Torsen (I'm thinking it was 1998, but I may be very wrong).

If anyone sees any errors in that, let me know.

http://www.f-body.org/faq/4/index.htm

That's a good place to start. Its a bit dated but still very useful.

The 01-02 cars are probably the best of the 4th Gen's but you're going to pay for them too. Of the older cars the 95's are probably the best although the 94's are close. The 93's are the redheaded stepchild of the group although if you can find a deal on one I certainly wouldn't pass it up.

I was thinking that, but I couldn't remember all the reasons why.

'98 was the last year for the Auburn, 99+ got the Torsen.

Unless you are going to remove the headlight assemblies, you will find that the Firebirds are more nose heavy than the Camaros. Don't remember the exact total figure, but I believe it was over 90# for the pair.

Is nose weight a problem on these cars? The engine setback is significant, but I must confess that I don't know what the approximate balance is. As I am in a FWD car now, anything below 65% front weight is OK.

I thought I saw that the 4th gens were 57/43 F/R. The third gens were more like 53/47. The engine is set back, but not really. Since the third gen driveshaft fits, the trans fits and all of it is the same length, the nose is just longer on the 4th gens (or it seems so), or I should say the windshield is out over the motor adding weight up front.

Not a chance, unless the assembly's are made of depleted uranium the difference is closer to 15-20lbs (if that). There simply isn't that much to them...



The biggest differences are:

1. Better gearing with the 6speeds
2. Speed Density vs. MAF ECM
3. Reprogramming requires burning chips instead of plugging into the ALDL port
4. Batch fire instead of sequential injection

There are a handful of other, really minor differences but those are the only ones that really matter. As you can see most of it is related to the engine management system. That said 93's run just as well as the 94-97 cars, they're just different.

By headlight assemblies, I mean the lights, motors and drive mechanisms. I'd be surprised if all of that was only #10 per side.

'93's also have unique/specific front brakes to that year only. the brakes don't matter if you're going to swap them for LS1 brakes. They came with one of two unique T56's which came with either 2.73 or 3.23 rear ends. One of them is desireable for Solo Street Prepared classes.

For LT1 cars you want a '95 first and a '94 second. '95 is the best because it has a vented opti and more timing chain options yet is the desireable OBDI computer. '94 is the same, but it has a non-vented opti. '94 also doesn't have a traction control if that bothers you. Some '95's I believe have the OBDII plug on an OBDI computer which can be a pita. Ask Kirby on the board. '96 and '97 aren't bad but they are OBDII. '97 has the nice interior. I don't know for sure but I'd bet the '97's with the new interior are heavier, but that is just a wild ass guess.

I'd look for a Formula (less body work for big tires) hardtop first and a Camaro hardtop second. Hardtops before t-tops.

For LS1's I'd look for a '01-'02 first since they had the LS6 intake and better clutch. Then I'd look at the '99-'00's since they come standard with the better diff. The '98's last because of the diff and the fact their cylinder liners allow for less of a cleanup hone should you need an engine rebuild. '98's also have perimeter bolt valce covers as opposed to '99+ centerbolt valve covers. Just like before, you want a stripped down hardtop.

1LE doesn't really matter unless you're going to leave the car stock. Also be aware that 4th gen B4C's are the SAME as Z28's. Don't waste your money on any of the SLP/ASC cars.

I'd look for a rust free car from the south or west. It's nice working on a car and not finding every fastener frozen.

I believe the B4C's were the only LS1's to come with manual windows/locks. Too bad almost all of them are autos (but look around! there are some 01-02 B4C's with the 6 speed).

Nope. Pimpmaro (our fearless mod) has a 2002 Z28, manual windows, manual locks, no cruise, no defrost, nothing.....

It has a monsoon (factory Z28 option) and AC. It's a hardtop, with cloth seats, etc. If you bought a camaro and checked the box for "Z28" and nothing else, you'd get his car. Not a B4C, not a 1LE. Just STRIPPED. So, I can tell you that they are out there and you don't need a B4C to get one, at least not in 2002.

Aye aye captain! I am proof that you can get all the engine and none of the gadgets in one nice neat little package. There are only two ways to get it with less. A v6 model, or in the white. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

For a donor CMC car, a TransAm would be my pick - everything that makes it heavier than the other Fbods will go away during race prep. The foam front bumper takes a few pounds off the nose compared to the rubber eggcrate of the Camaro. The T/A spoiler unbolts cleanly, leaving a broad, flat space for a proper spoiler.

Yearwise, 93 is the clear choice - useable 5th gear, PROM based PCM shortcomings are a don't care under class rules, older therefore cheaper.

For a less restricted class, go with an LS1 car, 99+ has an oil pump issue fixed (?), differences between models can be erased, tho the Pontiacs have a bit better aero and more rear fender clearance.

Early LT1 cars can be upgraded to the vented opti along with a cam and timing set/cover change. 94/95 PCM's have less expensive programming options, and 96 can run a 94/95 PCM.

Thanks for all the posts. Would I be correct in saying that if budget dictates an LT1 powered car, that any pre-96 non-T top is going to be a good starting point? Seems to me like there is a difference of opinion on some of the stuff, but any Camaro or Firebird 1993, 1994 or 1995 is about equal and the best advice is the standard "buy the best you can afford".

Can someone explain the gearing difference alluded to in this thread. Since Street Prepared allows update and backdate, would it be advantageous to run a 1993 transmission coupled to a later rear axle? Lower gearing in the box and lower gearing in the rear end? The high top speed potential of the car I have little use for.

This car is beautiful (I've seen it).

http://frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?act=ST&...&f=6&t=6177&hl=

You aren't the first to suggest it, but donor trannies can be hard to find. I think Lonnie is buying a car to part out so he can keep the transmission (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You could buy all 93-spec gears for a 94~97, but that's going to be expensive. The 93 transmission can't be used with a 98+ LS1.

The GTO transmission has the same gears 1~4 as the 93 f-body 2.97 option (I think the overdrives are different), and fits an LS!, but it isn't legal in ESP.

I am sure it is, but unfortunately, it is more than I can afford at this time.