'93-'97 and '98-'02 body compatibility

[Phoenix'97]

I have recently decided to swap my 6er engine for a V8, despite the fears of another extreme rise in gas prices lol! A friend of mine suggested that I buy another bird with a V8, maybe even a junker, and just swap the exterior body parts with the car (having the same color). However I doubt a junker will be in satisfactory condition so I am looking for a used bird with the same colored with an 8 that I can safely swap my exterior parts (front/rear bumper with sports appearance package). My question is about the '98-'02 firebird body as I have a 1997 Pontiac Firebird. Is it possible to safely exchange the front parts of a '93-'97 bird with that on a '98-'02? It's probably a stupid question but I have to be one to ask lol. Please let me know. Thanks.

-Shawn

[tclelland]

Shawn,

Save time, agrivation and probably money......and buy my car. You already have the tail lights, you might as well buy the rest of it click here and buy me

[Phoenix'97]

Thats the thing. I am going to go all out on my car. I really don't want to have to start from scratch with a new V8. I have already invested so much money into my 6er and frankly I don't want to start over so I am willing to pour the extra dough into converting my car with other upgrades not standard on the Firebird even up to 2002. I am going to keep my car and maintain her. I just love her too much. Thank you though.

-Shawn

[Black97]

I've seen some threads about this a while back. It's been done and requires some mods to make it fit.

I don't know how easy it is to replace a 6er with a V8 and what all it involves.

As for the looks department, why not just get a Ram Air hood rather than replacing the whole front end.

Thats what i did on my TA and it looks much sharper. Why spend all that money on a different front end?

[Injuneer]

Its not really clear to me what you want to do.... you say you want to swap in a V8, in place of the V6, but then you start talking about swapping exterior body parts from a V8 donor car.... why? There are no physical difference on a V8 body.

[Joe 1320]

I have recently decided to swap my 6er engine for a V8, despite the fears of another extreme rise in gas prices lol! A friend of mine suggested that I buy another bird with a V8, maybe even a junker, and just swap the exterior body parts with the car (having the same color). However I doubt a junker will be in satisfactory condition so I am looking for a used bird with the same colored with an 8 that I can safely swap my exterior parts (front/rear bumper with sports appearance package). My question is about the '98-'02 firebird body as I have a 1997 Pontiac Firebird. Is it possible to safely exchange the front parts of a '93-'97 bird with that on a '98-'02? It's probably a stupid question but I have to be one to ask lol. Please let me know. Thanks.

-Shawn

While a noble cause, I wonder how much mechanical skill do you posess? Swapping the powertrain will be a bear, not to mention tearing off the front end to do a makeover..... not to mention finding the identical color car, yada yada....... I just don't see this happening without spending lots of dough, time and little chance of ever recovering any investment.

If you are determined, to swap the front end parts you'll need the fenders, hood, front bumper, radiator support, headlights, motors, and associated hardware to attach it all. The motor swap will require the engine and transmission, all the exhaust and accessories, engine harness, ECM, fuel pump, the list goes on and on. Again, I somehow don't see this happening.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Two other things you might want to keep in mind.

1. How much will the car be worth after you do all of this to it. It will probably be less than what the V6 car is today. You will likely find that no one is going to want it knowing what it has been through.

2. Another thing is if after you are done someone runs into you and totals the car. The insurance is going to pay you for what a V6 is worth not what you have put into it.

The point it like what Joe is saying this is a horrible investment of money. Your ROI (Return On Investment is going to be zero and probably a negative amount.) You would be much better off selling your V6 and buying a V8.

[Black97]

You would be much better off selling your V6 and buying a V8.

That was my first thought when I saw that post the first time.

But then if you still want to go for it

http://www.dav-electronics.com/rare_bird.htm