Just curious. How are the manual transmission equipped L36 powered F-bodies? Are they are reliable and fuel efficient as our beloved Bonnevilles? How's the power?

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

Ask Jake, 01bonneSC, he has one. I'd say it'll feel a bit quicker than your SLE due to the weight and drivetrain layout, but mileage should be about the same...

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

The autos are kinda fun, but not that fast, not sure on the sticks....

_________________
Will
88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

Quicker than ya think. A LOT of fun to drive. Mine needs a clutch though and got a goofy idle problem. I was getting 31mpg on "country" highways(Routes that go through small towns) a couple summers ago on a 6 hour trip. I have 3.27 gears.

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And they LOVE 2nd and 3rd gear!

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What's nice is they ACTUALLY have an aftermarket, so you could upgrade things along the way if you so desire. Of course, that leads to spending money... Lol

Look at how my F-Body money pit is coming along if you need proof.

I wouldn't rule out a L36 4th gen though... You could get T-Tops and not worry about flex too much.

_________________
Will
88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

Alright thanks guys! I'd look into a V8 powered one but that's just a rape of the wallet gas wise. I'm looking at getting something for the end of Summer once I put some money away. I'd prefer it to be a Firebird since I like them more than the Camaro's but I can't find any 5 speeds. I also have a Miata on the list, since working on that one with my friend has made me fall in love with them. And you can't forget about Fieros.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3098308937.html
This one needs some paint work but otherwise is sound.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ctd/3096490647.html
Needs a good cleaning, a proper steering wheel, stripe removal, and a proper intake.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3105359635.html
Drool.

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

I love that Fiero!

I agree on finding a Firebird over a Camaro...


They are around, my cousin had a red 3.8/M5 Firebird with t-tops a couple years back, got it cheap and didn't have much trouble finding it...

_________________
Will
88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

Oh, and just saying... If you get one, I may steal your seats...

_________________
Will
88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

Actually an LS isnt that bad on gas. Keeping your foot out of it is the problem lol

Check out this forum, LOTS of Chicago area guys...
http://www.mfba.org/


My list of to do is:
clutch
cam
headers
V8 muffler and hi flow y pipe/cats

really thats it. Should get me into mid 14s and still knock down high 20s MPG.

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Look for one that has the RS package, and there is one package that gives the V6s LSD, the Z28 suspension, and the tight ratio steering. Final drive is lower too.

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2005 GXP - White Gold Pearl, no mods...yet.
2000 SSEi - Resurrection in progress. Built L67 w/L32 fuel rail, ported heads, and cam. Camaro front brake system, GXP cluster, and much more in planning.

Drove an S2000 today, never ever thought I'd ever say I want a Honda. V-tec is an amazing experience. That's out of my price range though.. Just like the V8 powered F-bodies. I think my budget is gonna be no more than $3,000 dollars. Do the V6 Firebirds have a package equivalent to the RS with the LSD and other goodies? If not that's okay. The Camaro would grow on me. Also, how's the gearing in the 5 speeds? Typical American long ass gears?

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

You can be in 4th for awhile before you really need 5th. Most intown driving I do in 3rd. The L36 revs quick enough that it doesn't really drag at all. But if ya know how to really drive a stick, you shouldnt have any problems

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Alright. Thanks so much guys! Hopefully by the end of Summer there will be pics in this thread..

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

Yea they do, it was called the W86 package

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I'm backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

Was just gunna add that myself...


A good deal of the W86 cars also got the W68 sport appearance package, which added different ground effects and dual exhaust with aluminum tips.

_________________
Will
88 Cutlass Ciera Brougham International | 120k mi | White w/ Dk Claret Int. | Roller to be S2 L67/4T65E-HD | 1 of ~5100 3.8 FE3 Int'l series
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 155K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily

These things are *dang* near impossible to find... Why does America have such a love affair with putting automatics in sports cars?

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

Because most Americans are fat and lazy, with weak left legs.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Hey! I represent that remark!

I wouldn't mind me a standard tranny fun car though, would make mountain passes more interesting.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Anyways, I've got my heart (and wallet) set on this one.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3134041913.html

I might be able to borrow some money from my parents and buy this hopefully soon! Can't wait to look out the window and see a Galaxy Silver Bonneville parked next to a Galaxy Silver Firebird..

_________________
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles