She is retired! Slightly from being a d.d.

[RamAirZ]

Alot of us have experienced a similar sound after lifting. I installed the manual hubs on mine and it went away. Not sure what it is either, I'm thinking it's something to do with the front CV's because the driveshaft angle doesn't change on the front with a lift.

[JHarris1385]

Concerning the vibrating/grinding noise. I have that and is WAY louder when I put my heaviest set of wheels on...chrome 20's with 265/50's as compared to my 265/75-16. It bothers me...its only when coasting at about 40mph or so. But it has ALWAYS been there!

It feels great to finally get it off the road full time. I still drive it, just not deliver in it as much now or actually at all so far. That is until the winter. With a car topper promoting my cousin's pizza place it sure did spark alot of attention locally. Before this I lived about 50 minutes away from work...then on the ride home it was about 1.5 hours due to bridge traffic. Its been a tough last couple of years for it. I do believe it is burning less oil now as compared to the past. I switched to regular 5/30.

[RamAirZ]

Still didn't answer my original question, what year firebird do you have? And Formula/TA etc? lol

[JHarris1385]

My, but some people are soooo sensitive! That's right, I forgot, we live in an "It's all about me" age don't we? Pardon me whilst I go stare in the mirror and tell myself how IMPORTANT I am...

Damn, that was supposed to be the "In my head" post...sorry!!

You are correct, keep it in your head next time. Its not needed here. You have been here just over a year, grow up peter pan; you gained zilch from that post.

[JHarris1385]

Still didn't answer my original question, what year firebird do you have? And Formula/TA etc? lol

I was getting there! It is a 98 just a V6 I purchased it right when the gas prices were high so I looked for the 6. I upgraded the exhaust, from suggestions on the f-body forums. Very impressed from the output. I almost bought a firehawk, but almost doesn't count. I did make sure I got the T-Tops. What I like is the VX gets about 14 the bird gets about 23. A good mix if you ask me. Do you have one? I really want to get a TA or Firehawk now...I have to have a 98-02. NEVER LIKED THE CAMAROs...until now but they are still and already to frequent.

[RamAirZ]

I've had an 86' Firebird SE, an 89' Trans AM, 87' Iroc, 88' Z, 92' RS. 1970 SS, and think that's it for F-bodies to this point lol. I've swapped the LS1 into my old 87' previously and worked on alot of 4th gens. In all honesty, your gas mileage would be pretty close to the same even with the V8, the LS1 is crazy efficient. My buddy averaged about 28mpg with his 6spd 02' SS on the highway and about 22 around town, the auto's seem to get around 19-20 around town and 24-25 on highway. I love t-tops, 3 of mine had them, the 89' TA and the 92' RS were hard-tops and of course the 70' only came in hardtop. I want to build a 92' Camaro soon, run the SS style hood like I had on my 87', 5in 3pc spoiler on the rear, arctic white paint with color matched headlight "buckets", gold GTA wheels, widened in the rear with drah radials, under the hood have a turbocharged 6.0 liter. I haven't decided if I'd go a 4L80E automatic or a 6spd. If you can't tell I'm a big f-body guy lol. I have a 68' stang in the garage now but it's the wife's new project, people point out that I have a Camaro Country sign hanging up in the garage with a stang parked in it.

[Bob Barker]

At least ur wife has her head on straight.

[ZEUS]

Hey, got any left over F-body LS exhaust manifolds? Don't fault me; I'm just keeping up with the TJ!

I've had an 86' Firebird SE, an 89' Trans AM, 87' Iroc, 88' Z, 92' RS. 1970 SS, and think that's it for F-bodies to this point lol. I've swapped the LS1 into my old 87' previously and worked on alot of 4th gens. In all honesty, your gas mileage would be pretty close to the same even with the V8, the LS1 is crazy efficient. My buddy averaged about 28mpg with his 6spd 02' SS on the highway and about 22 around town, the auto's seem to get around 19-20 around town and 24-25 on highway. I love t-tops, 3 of mine had them, the 89' TA and the 92' RS were hard-tops and of course the 70' only came in hardtop. I want to build a 92' Camaro soon, run the SS style hood like I had on my 87', 5in 3pc spoiler on the rear, arctic white paint with color matched headlight "buckets", gold GTA wheels, widened in the rear with drah radials, under the hood have a turbocharged 6.0 liter. I haven't decided if I'd go a 4L80E automatic or a 6spd. If you can't tell I'm a big f-body guy lol. I have a 68' stang in the garage now but it's the wife's new project, people point out that I have a Camaro Country sign hanging up in the garage with a stang parked in it.

[WormGod]

The good thing is, mileage DOWN. Mine has been a weekender for 6 years now, and I am lucky to put 3k miles on it a year. If we get some crazy snows, I keep the STi at home and let the VX come out to play to get to work, but that's usually about it for any DD use. You will appreciate your VX so much more after doing this. Taking a break from it and driving it again even after a week makes it such an enjoyment.

[RamAirZ]

I get lucky that I don't get to drive mine everyday as is, and when I do it's for maybe an hour out of the day. It's nice having a day or 2 off and not driving her and then jump in her to go to work.

Hey, got any left over F-body LS exhaust manifolds? Don't fault me; I'm just keeping up with the TJ!

I'll have to poke around, I doubt it though. I know I have some truck ones but they are for my future turbo project lol. Sans egr too!

[Scott Larson]

You are correct, keep it in your head next time. Its not needed here. You have been here just over a year, grow up peter pan; you gained zilch from that post.

See, I was right about someone being soooo sensitive, must be "that time of month". Sorry Jane...

Come on now, take a joke... take it, take it.

Sincere apologies to Ms. Harris, I did really think you were a guy. Upon rereading your post I realized I was wrong. The Peter Pan reference gave it away. I was insensitive and I apologize. Your knowledge of motor vehicles threw me off. Hey, what do I know, VX Kat is pretty darn savvy too! No offense to Kat either, I knew she is a she. I hope you will accept this apology and that I can regain your respect. Sincerely, Scott D. Larson, USMC Retired.

[RickOKC]

I was getting there! It is a 98 just a V6 I purchased it right when the gas prices were high so I looked for the 6. I upgraded the exhaust, from suggestions on the f-body forums. Very impressed from the output. I almost bought a firehawk, but almost doesn't count. I did make sure I got the T-Tops. What I like is the VX gets about 14 the bird gets about 23. A good mix if you ask me. Do you have one? I really want to get a TA or Firehawk now...I have to have a 98-02. NEVER LIKED THE CAMAROs...until now but they are still and already to frequent.

NICE! I had a 99 Firebird V6 with T-Tops (Navy Blue Metallic). I was planning on replacing it with a Sunset Orange Metallic Firebird Formula, but instead had my heart broken when 2003 rolled around. I never cared much for the 98-02 Camaro either - too plain compared to the curvy 'Birds.

[JHarris1385]

Another factor was the scare of the increased insurance of the V8 compared to the V6, given I was about six years younger than I am now. Now with all of this talk I REALLY want the 8. I love the RamAir hoods. Which makes me know realize your name. The curves are what I like of the bird. Outside of a late 4th gen - I would take a late 70's firebird as well.

I was pretty worried about the T-tops leaking after sitting that long but not an issue at all.
The only issue I have with it so far is still a hard start at time. It just won't fire up every once in a while which I assume is due to the old gas and its deposits?

[JHarris1385]

I spoke too soon....its been a couple days now and it won't start again.

At first it was not cranking or turning over...Now its cranking but not firing up.
It did this off and on since I got it back the past couple of weeks but after a couple of tries it would. I figured it was due to old gas. So I have lucas gas treated it and and filled up the tank twice, this last time with super premium. Not sure where to start now as alot of things have been replaced or have very low miles on them.

[RamAirZ]

fuel pump? fuel pump relay? coil packs? MAF sensor? What all have you replaced or checked recently?