Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 - What year is best (4th gen, 93-97)?

I'm looking at 4th gen formulas/trans ams, wondering if there is any benefit to one year over another. I know LS1 came out in '97, but am going to stick with the LT engine. Other than that...what improvements did they make during that run, and is any certain year a better choice than another?

LS1 came out in 98.
IMO best years for the firebird was 99-02.

Oops...'98. I like the newer ones, but am selling the 2006 GTO and want to go back to something with lower insurance and cheaper mods...

for an LT1 car i'd say 1995.

you got the best of the old and new componants

you got the MAF and vented opti but still retain the OBD 1.

I would be surprised if a LT1 Firebird was that much cheaper for insurance than a GTO.

Best year for the LT1? I vote '97 just because of this picture.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8056/97ta.jpg

I would be surprised if a LT1 Firebird was that much cheaper for insurance than a GTO.

Best year for the LT1? I vote '97 just because of this picture.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8056/97ta.jpg

hey that looks like my 95 :) My hood and airbox weren't installed at the factory (then again neither was a 96-97 WS6) but they are oem.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/pdennis93/generic%20photos/100_1435.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff279/pdennis93/generic%20photos/100_0869.jpg

They changed the Opti Spark from non-vented to vented in '95. The SS came out in '96.

LS1 came out in 98.
IMO best years for the firebird was 99-02.

technically ls1 came out in 97 for the corvette...98 for fbodys

technically ls1 came out in 97 for the corvette...98 for fbodys

I was gona say that same thing, beat me to it....ditto...

My favorite year of the LT cars was the 97...and I think there are some limited production LT4's floating around from 97 too...

I was gona say that same thing, beat me to it....ditto...

My favorite year of the LT cars was the 97...and I think there are some limited production LT4's floating around from 97 too...

there were 29 firehawks and 100 camaro SS's with 6 possible SS prototypes

I'd buy a 97 if I was going to buy an early 4th gen. 97 has the 97-02 interior on both camaro and firebird. If you want a OBDI pcm then all you have to do is swap in a 95 pcm. Maybe change the knock sensor to a 95. The engine harness wiring is the same from 95-97 except for additional wires added in the 96-97 harness.

there were 29 firehawks and 100 camaro SS's with 6 possible SS prototypes

Sooo does anyone have one?? I wana see !! LOL

yup, '97 LT4's

Sooo does anyone have one?? I wana see !! LOL

there's a guy on ls1lt1 selling a 97 firehawk lt4

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28170&highlight=LT4+firehawk

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2359&stc=1&d=1247517456

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2360&stc=1&d=1247517498

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2361&stc=1&d=1247517529

I would say 97 is the best. You get a better styled interior, OBDII is easy to work with, and I have one. Yes, I am biased.

I would say 97 is the best. You get a better styled interior, OBDII is easy to work with, and I have one. Yes, I am biased.

you didn't used to own a supercoupe did you? i notice tbird and 232 ci which was the displacement of the SC motor as well as the n/a 3.8 motor.

as for 97 having the best interior. what all did they really change in the T/A? the dash is only slightly different and the console is different. everything else is pretty much the same and the dash is only different in the fact that the dash top is shaped slightly different with a different vent.

96 up is the only way to go. OBD 2 is easy to work with and tune, and plus most states just do a check engine light test on Obd2 cars, and not a tailpipe test

I'm not a fan of working on LT1's OR LS1's haha engine bays so tight, but if you are looking for an LT1 car my vote goes to 96 or 97 as well. no specific reasons other than I owned a 96 that never gave me trouble and my buddy owns a 97 z28 that has only had one probly and it was minor.

Good info, thanks! Did any of the firebird formulas come with the LT4?

96 up is the only way to go. OBD 2 is easy to work with and tune, and plus most states just do a check engine light test on Obd2 cars, and not a tailpipe test

but on the flipside of that, in some states like illinois (i wish indiana would adopt this too) anything 1995 and older is emissions exempt.

Good info, thanks! Did any of the firebird formulas come with the LT4?

only the 29 formula firehawks in 1997 i previously mentioned.

Having owned a LT1 car and now a LS1 car I'll say step up to a 98+ car with the LS1. 2000 & 2001 came with the same engine blocks used for the LS6 as well as the LS6 intake manifolds. The aftermarket parts availability and power potentials the LS1 engine has over the LT1 are pretty substantial.

Having owned a LT1 car and now a LS1 car I'll say step up to a 98+ car with the LS1. 2000 & 2001 came with the same engine blocks used for the LS6 as well as the LS6 intake manifolds. The aftermarket parts availability and power potentials the LS1 engine has over the LT1 are pretty substantial.

Actually.... like 15% of 2001's had the LS6 block and 25% of 2002's had the LS6 block. all 2001-2002 had the LS6 intake.....

Just thought I would fix that error.

Thanks baalic. Different sources have different numbers.

My 94 Lt1 has the vented opti and yes it was original when I replaced it. some mid to late 94's had the newer opti on them. But yes try to stay 97 the subtle changes in the interior make a world of difference IMO
plus 96-97 were 285hp where as the 95 down were 275hp (big deal right 10hp)

Thanks baalic. Different sources have different numbers.

No problem, I just wanted to make sure we had good info here so we didn't confuse anyone. I think there may be a sticky somewhere with that info in it.

1995blacktattop,
Indiana does not due emission test, at least since I moved back in 1991.

1995blacktattop,
Indiana does not due emission test, at least since I moved back in 1991.

there are a few counties that do. Lake county being one of them which is where i live. Porter county (one east of me) also does. i think there is one down by indianapolis that might as well.

I'd say the best year for the LT1 Firebird would be 97 but only because it had the redesigned console already in it and the digital odometer. I don't think you could go wrong with any year LT1 car.

My '95 Formula LT1 gave me 267,000 miles.. :cheers: I have now moved on to '01 T/A.. 6-speed... Haven't got an opinion on the LS1 yet. Only had it for 6 days..

for an LT1 car i'd say 1995.

you got the best of the old and new componants

you got the MAF and vented opti but still retain the OBD 1.

agree with this statement. LT1s are more fun to drive in the city...it'll beat any car light to light :devil: