how do you upgrade a firebirds engine from a v6 to any v8
I have a v6 Pontiac Firebird 1996 and i need to know what I would have to do so that I can be able to put an engine bigger than the current from a v8 4.8L up to a 6.2L
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1996 Pontiac Firebird Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 1996 model brings with it some additional options as well as some newly standardized equipment. The 3.8-liter V6 engine which was optional in the 1995 models, is standard in the 1996 base model, and the Formula had its 5.7-liter V8 enhanced to 285 horsepower (305 in the Trans Am).
As always, the Firebird's big engine is what distinguishes it from other sports cars--especially those in its price range where it remains unmatched in value. Alloy wheels with painted surfaces add a sleeker look to the pony car. A variety of packages were available to sport up the look of the car, as well as to add some nice features, such as more engine power, traction control, and remote keyless entry.
Minuses of the Firebird include a failure to adhere to slippery roads (especially in Winter) and a lack of passenger and cargo room.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1996 Pontiac Firebird
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by Anonymous
Jul 16, 2023
Car is great could use a better exhaust every thing is great Jul 16, 2023
by Anonymous
Feb 19, 2022
This car is awesome. If I had a garage to keep it in, I would buy it! It deserves TLC.Feb 19, 2022
by Ron K
Dec 12, 2021
Check the undercarriage/frame.......these are known to rot out & disappear!!!Dec 12, 2021
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jul 16, 2023
Car is great could use a better exhaust every thing is great Jul 16, 2023
by Anonymous
Feb 19, 2022
This car is awesome. If I had a garage to keep it in, I would buy it! It deserves TLC.Feb 19, 2022
by Ron K
Dec 12, 2021
Check the undercarriage/frame.......these are known to rot out & disappear!!!Dec 12, 2021
by Anonymous
Dec 23, 2014
Love everything about the car. Wouldnt want any other car. By far the best car ive ever owned, and driven. The car always catches peoples eyes, and they are always looking when i drive by. Kids love the way it looks too.Dec 23, 2014
by Anonymous
Jan 18, 2013
Bought this car for my (then) 18 year old son. First car first love - you know the tune. Zedel has been a money pit at times but there are long stretches where nothing is wrong with her and you tend to forget the pain of repairs. Then, BOOM. But what are you going to do? Can't kill her, she's family. She will be a classic someday and my son takes car of that car like a puppy. Named her Zedel from her first license plate which started out with ZDL.Jan 18, 2013
by Gerrit T
Oct 19, 2011
The acceleration for this car is more than you would expect from a normal V6. It
gives you plenty of pep without sacrificing much fuel economy. The car is very fun
the drive and handles corners great. The interior is a little cheaply made, but as
long as you aren't rowdy on the inside I think you should be okay. I consistently
get around 22-22mpg with a good mix of city and highway driving. This car has
always been reliable and enjoyable.Oct 19, 2011
by Kévin L
Apr 11, 2011
FireBird Noir 3.8L 300 000 km
Max Pogner avec 200 Km/h
Tu peut pogner une fack deau a 120 km/h pi sa roule drette encore :P
Tenue de route Exceptionnel
Performant Moteur
New Paint Black
Char De Gars Apr 11, 2011
by Kevlarkid H
Dec 03, 2010
I love this car its my baby, my girlfriend thinks its hers
way better than the other camaros i've owned , super fast and lots of fun, most definantly not a winter car, t-tops are great, wish it still had a stereo, darn theives
Dec 03, 2010
by Billy R
Nov 18, 2010
this was my first car when i turned 16 and what a thrill it was. the perfect car for me to hit the road with. good acceleration but not too much a new driver couldnt handle effectivly. for a rear-wheel car it handled surprisingly well since its low but wide stance. american made so it had its faults here and there but overall a solid car. i loved the aggressive look the firebirds and trans ams took in the late 90's to early 2000's. gas wasnt too crucial since it was only a 6 cyl but it made for the perfect mix of fun and practicallity.Nov 18, 2010
by PonchoVip N
May 11, 2010
Exelent Car, nice performance but i need por horse power thats why i sold it.
Some of the parts are expensive on the dealer but you can find it on a yunk yard for a really nice price. Nice one.May 11, 2010
by Zach P
Nov 30, 2009
Styling is great, good power for a V6 but wish it was a V8 though. Pretty good acceleration and handling could be better. I haven't had to do too many repairs on the car but just general upkeep is important. Gets great gas mileage, 25-26 town/29-31 highway. It's a pretty fun car to drive.Nov 30, 2009
by Seth L
Sep 23, 2009
good gas mileage, fast and fun to drive, manual transmission, great power in the lower gears, strong performance, hanging head liner, not bad on insurance, dependable, strong motor, a a a a a a a a a a a aSep 23, 2009
by Jason C
Sep 22, 2009
It was fast, fun, and reliable. It only had 50k on it when I bought it, so it was in extremely good shape, I did my best to keep it that way. I miss it now that I sold it.Sep 22, 2009
by Casey D
Sep 13, 2009
Pontiac makes BEAUTIFUL Firebirds/Trans Ams. Its a great looking car that turns heads all the time. It runs great, but I bought it used and there's been a problem with the engine that nobody has been able to determine yet. After longer drives, I've got smoke coming from under the hood. It smells like burning oil, but we haven't found out where it's coming from. Also shortly after having purchased the car, the frame for the boot covering the shifter (the car is a manual transmission) broke and was difficult to replace.Sep 13, 2009
by Tyler L
Aug 15, 2009
i like that its fast and durable and the torque of this car is incredible and looks really nice the gas mileage sucks but thats okay i also like the interior leather very comfy but can get really hot at sometimes.Aug 15, 2009
by Gregory T
Aug 05, 2009
had good acceleration. nimble and quick. its an older car and does need tlc. but for the most part, quality was good. this car is sexy. cost of this car is in the gas... this car is very exciting to drive, speacially with an cia, shift kit, and exhaust :)Aug 05, 2009
by Bryon S
Jul 31, 2009
I love this car, I do wish it was a V8 but o well, with the way gas prices are, a V6 will do. I just recently installed an aftermarket air intake and when I got the car it already had a Magnaflow Performance Exhaust on it.Jul 31, 2009
by Adam V
Jun 11, 2009
Accelerates, slows down, and turns good. She leaks a little oil form valve cover. The interior and exterior are both nice. It gets 20mpg and requires little maintenance. The car is fun to drive. Will eat auto LS1s all day.Jun 11, 2009
by Shea F
Mar 12, 2009
AMAZING CAR AND NOW I OWN ONE, THIS IS THE ACTUAL picture of the CAR I OWN, now u guys have to go drive one of these or just ride with me and feel how rough the ride is. thats the only bad part bout this car, is the rideMar 12, 2009
by Travis B
Jan 29, 2009
This is the 3rd car that I've owned. Found it at a car lot listed for $7,000 and loved it! I traded in my other vehicle for this one and do not regret it. The car looks Sweet, and is FUN to drive. It's RWD so it's fun to play around in but no so good in the winter! I liked the way it looked stock, but I had to add my touches and put low profile bridgestone tires with 17 inch BMW rims on it. The T-Tops add a great option for summer driving. Even though I have had to put alot into this vehicle, I would recommend this car to anybody that doesn't mind getting many tickets!Jan 29, 2009
by Devin T
Nov 25, 2008
It has great straight line performance and is much better in the twisties than people would have you believe. The motor is absolutely bullet-proof and just as powerful as the newest Mustangs in stock form, running about the same times for 9 years longer. The interior build quality is typical GM, especially for a car with a V8 and low $20k price. The money went into the drivetrain. The appearance is very nice to me. The front end looks much better on the 98-02 Firebirds and the exhaust does not fill out the rear bumper at all but a catback fixed that. Fuel mileage in this thing is amazing for what it is. I see about 26 mpg highway with a vacuum leak as it only turns 1800 rpms at 80 mph. Cars without any issues will bring in 28-30mpg. City mileage is what you would expect for a muscle car but the average in the low 20s is great. As for fun, well, it's an F-body. This car is all about laying down some rubber and it's impossible to resist. It does get tiring having every kid in his Honda trying to race you but that's about the only downside. It's also a great platform for modification which is a lot of fun in itself. Don't buy this car if you are looking for something refined as it isn't. Buy it for the big smokey burnouts that put a smile on your face.Nov 25, 2008
by Jeffrey K
Oct 07, 2008
This car was HOT!!! It drove very well, handled excellent around corners while fish-tailing, and when racing it smoked the hell outta V8 Mustangs. Only problem was the motor was giving out. Not sure what the problem was. Because this car was financed, it was difficult to maintain in payments, but boy was it fun to drive. Especially flying down I-215 in Las Vegas, doing 110mph flying past a NHP (Nevada Highway Patrol) car!! I was lucky I didn't get pulled over that day.Oct 07, 2008
by Harrison P
Aug 25, 2008
Good everyday driver and can be decently fast when you want it to be. Its not the fastest or best looking car out there but it gets you from point a to b and still looks decent compared to most similarly priced cars. It can get a little squirelly in the rain if you arent carefull but otherwise a good car.Aug 25, 2008
by Jeff R
Jul 18, 2008
the car gets good gas mileage for a sports car. It has amazing perfomance. Especially for a V6. I love the look of the car. It has needed a new oxygen sensor, thats about it. The car is so fun to drive and is worth the gas mileage compared to a camry or accord. The interior is good and its got a nice amount of room up front. however the back is not so roomy. Id say the best parts of the car are acceleration, looks, and handling. and the worst part is that since it is made my general motors, it was not put together all that well like interior wise. But it is fine if you treat it right. Jul 18, 2008
by Patrick B
May 24, 2008
Really fun car to drive and with the six speed got really good gas mileage even with that much horsepower. May 24, 2008
by Nicholas F
May 10, 2008
Its quick and stylish great handling but its so light that is slides too
easily. Great to drift in.May 10, 2008
by Randy L
Apr 01, 2008
The car handle extremely well. Wonderful acceleration as well as top speed, even though I have never reached it. Apr 01, 2008
by Troy M
Mar 30, 2008
I bought the car used with 130K miles on it so it wasn't surprising that it needed some work done, but I quickly spent close to what I bought the car for with engine overhauls. There are a few main known quality problems with this model that can be found easily be searching online.Mar 30, 2008
by Zeniff H
Mar 29, 2008
the car that i drove was 400 hp with a 100hp nitrous boost lots of work and money into that car. it did the quarter mile in 12.5 sec and the top speed ( or the fastest i took it) was 168mph.Mar 29, 2008
by Jesse B
Mar 17, 2008
Great car for highway driving. Smooth and comfortable ride. Beautiful on the outside and inside. Get a few upgrades on it and you'll be flying!!!Mar 17, 2008
by Robert W
Jan 13, 2008
think about itJan 13, 2008
by Colin A
Jan 09, 2008
It's got a lot of miles on it but it runs great and looks pretty good. Acceleration is obviously amazing with a 350c.i. v8 and rear wheel drive. Handling is good as far as i'm concerned.Jan 09, 2008
by Chris M
Dec 23, 2007
I miss itDec 23, 2007
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 1996 Pontiac Firebird?Compare this car
1996 Pontiac Firebird Pricing
Original MSRP
$16,119 to $27,869Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Equalizer: graphic · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
T-Tops: glass
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
T-Tops: glass
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
T-Tops: glass
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent