Formy_WS9_89

ok so i have a 1989 firebird formula which is my first car. i plan on keeping this car for pretty much my whole life. i want to be pushing around 700-1000 hp at most. so its going to be a high powered car. ive heard a lot of people say third gens chassis are garbage and they cant take any power because they flex too much. i planned on doing a 8 point cage, umi boxed weld-in sfc, spohn inner sfc, Ford 9 inch rear end, either a 383 stroker motor or any of the LS motors. if I did all of these what could the capabiliities of the car be? is there a limit for these third gen cars for power because they flex so much? any other recomendations of what i cpuld do to make the chassis take all that power? (i already have a 3 point strut bar brace) this is going to all be over a long period of time. any recomendations, comments, thoughts or anything else? any help would be appreciated thanks!

kestell123

I Think I am hearing some youthful Exuberance! Everything you do to a car is a trade off. You can build a third gen to hand those power levels, but there may not be much of the original car left when you get there. you also my not enjoy driving the car you end up with. Nothing is free, and I not talking the cost in terms of money. To get a car to that level you will have to compromise things like drivability and ride Quality. Decide how you want to use the car. What do you want the car to do and what are you willing to give up to get that. Cars cost lots of money to build , even when you do it yourself. With realistic planning you can end up with a car you enjoy driving . Good luck and take your time , jumping in with both feet usually doesn't end well

WTR388

I'm going to emphasize what kestell is saying... Yes, these cars can be built to handle that power, but you may not be ready for the work or the money that goes in to this...

I'm well in to $20,000 cdn for my car. I have built the entire thing myself. 400hp LS1, "built" T56, upgraded rear, all LS1 brakes, sound system, wheels/tires, interior updates, I refreshed some used adjustable rear tubular components, and all the little nick-naks and doodads. I just chunked down a grand on a shifter, strut mounts and a torque arm. I still have another grand to go for new carpet, shocks/struts and steering components so it's ready to go this year... I've put in 5-6 grand ish in to the car in the last year... And I haven't driven it since 2019.
Even if you paint it yourself, that is easily a grand in materials. Hopefully the car is rust free, if not then you've got unknown expense and time there.

I've owned mine since 2013 and it isn't finished. I spend a year or two on a stage of building then drive it for a summer. If this is your daily, you will hate yourself. Heck, mine is "mild" and wouldn't want to daily it. If I wanted more performance, I would be buying a separate car to strip down and set up as a track oriented car. Setting one car up as a performance do it all car is more expensive and time consuming. However, it is fun.

LB9GTA

iTrader: (1)

Yes it's possible
Make sure you have 1 or all of these 3 things:
1.Money
2.Time
3.Mechanical ability

It will take alot of time to get there.
I have that "1000hp car"
I spend a lot of time in the garage. I spent a lot on it.
I do a bunch of research on my car.

Figure out how much money you have to spend.
Make a list of the mods you want.
Read a bunch on this forum, lots of great info in here

Don't be afraid to ask questions!

As for the chassis, get SFC. Get good suspension.
Once you get close to 11.50's in the 1/4, decide if you want a roll bar or cage in your car

Formy_WS9_89

this will be a street strip car. I want to race this car on weekends and drive it on the weekdays. I honestly don’t care about ride quality bc I came from a family with race cars and cars with no ride quality. So these cars can take the power correct? And they are a great candidate for that correct? I always planned on doing a rollcage probably 8 point because I’ve always loved they way they looked. Sorry for the dumb questions