V6FBody Online's - Techbase: 

MASTER FAQ LIST

General F-Body Info

1. What are the GM customer service phone numbers?

2. Where can I get authentication documents and information for my car?

3. Where can I get GM original parts catalogs?

4. Are Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) available on-line?

5. Will installing aftermarket parts void my warranty?

6. What is the difference between Net and Gross horsepower?

7. What is wrong if my car refuses to turn over or even crank?

8. How can I keep my car from being stolen?

9. Are there any car ramps which won't scrape my lower air dam/valance?

10. When were the 1st generation models built?

11. What models 1st generations were available?

12. What is the difference between the '67s and '68s?

13. What is the difference between the '68s and '69s?

14. What option packages were available on the 1st gen Camaro?

15. What were some of the rare options available on the 1st gen Camaro?

16. What else was special about a 1st gen Camaro Z/28?

17. When was the first Trans Am available?

18. What are Pace Car Camaro's?

19. What is a COPO Camaro?

20. What is a double COPO Camaro?

21. What options were ordered with the first COPO 9560s?

22. What is a Yenko Camaro?

23. Which Camaros are worth the most?

24. Which Firebirds are worth the most?

25. What is distinguishing between each model year?

26. When was the Camaro Z28 available?

27. What Firebird models were available?

28. What is a Firebird Esprit?

29. What special edition Trans Ams were available?

30. What was the WS6 special performance package?

31. What is a DKM Macho T/A?

32. What does RS stand for?

33. What does GTA stand for?

34. What's included in the B4C police package?

35. What's included in the 1LE Performance package?

36. What is a MR MSE Trans Am?

37. What is a Macho T/A?

38. What is a "notchback" Trans Am?

39. What 4th gen models are/were available?

40. What's the difference between the '93s and '94s?

41. What's the difference between the '94s and '95s?

42. What's the difference between the '95s and '96s?

43. What's the difference between the '96s and '97s?

44. What's included in the B4C police package?

45. What's included in the 1LE performance package?

46. What's included in the WS6 performance package?

47. What's included in the F1-Camaro/Firebird-GT package?

48. What special aftermarket tuner cars were available?

49. Why pay more for the Firehawk/SS option than a supercharger would cost?

50. What is a thermostat?

51. What is the stock thermostat set at?

52. Which thermostat do you recommend?

53. How do you install a thermostat?

54. How do I get rid of that annoying speed limiter?

55. Are programmers available and what do they do?

56. Do underdrive pulleys affect performance?

57. How many pulleys, one or two?

58. Will pulleys affect the charging system?

59. Should I upgrade my ignition, spark plugs and wires?

60. What about NITROUS! I want NITROUS!

Engine, Induction, Exhaust

1. What is a PF35L large/elongated oil filter and will it fit my car?

2. What GM oil filters will fit my 350?

3. Why does my car smoke momentarily when I first start it up?

4. My carbureted car sat for a year and now dies just after every start?

5. My fuel injected car ran out of gas and now won't start even with gas?

6. What could make my fuel injected car feel sluggish?

7. What is an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and how does it work?

8. What superchargers are available?

9. What is Mass Air Flow (MAF) vs. Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)?

10. Should I remove my Mass Air Flow (MAF) screen?

11. What happens to the MAF sensor when a supercharger is installed?

12. Can a supercharger be installed on a car with traction control?

13. What are the benefits/drawbacks of a freer flowing air filter?

14. What's the best aftermarket exhaust for my car?

15. What aftermarket catalytic converters are available?

16. What else can be done to increase air flow and thus performance?

17. How does coolant flow through my engine?

18. What can I tell by the color of my spark plugs?

19. Are there spark plugs available that fit better with headers?

20. How can I prevent my header gaskets from blowing out?

21. What is the purpose of a water injection system?

22. How does a water injection system work?

23. What is there to gain by using aftermarket rocker arms?

24. How can I tell if I have a burnt/sticky valve or faulty piston ring?

25. What happens to the compression ratio when you stroke a motor?

26. What is extrude honing?

27. What is a Powerglide transmission?

28. When was the TH350 transmission first offered?

29. When was the TH400 transmission first offered?

30. What were the stock tranny gear ratios for the Muncies?

31. What is that whining noise coming from my Muncie M22?

32. What engines were available for the 2nd gen Camaro's?

33. How can I improve performance on my 2nd gen?

34. How can I improve my High Energy Ignition (HEI)?

35. How do I grease the HEI as mentioned above?

36. How can I keep my headers from burning the spark plug wires?

37. What camshaft should I get?

38. What's involved in installing/rebuilding a Quadrajet?

39. How can I decode the Quadrajet carbs?

40. How do I select the right aftermarket carb?

41. What is the advantage of a 2-piece timing chain cover?

42. When was the last year for the big block?

43. Were there "big block" and "small block" Pontiac engines?

44. What years was the Pontiac 455 available?

45. What is the the best cam for my Pontiac 455?

46. Is there a fuel injection manifold available for my 455?

47. How was the 455 engine different from the Super Duty version?

48. How can I tell if a Super Duty 455 engine is genuine or not?

49. What is a Ram Air V engine?

50. How did the standard 400 and T/A 400 differ from 1977 - 1979?

51. What are the best techniques for building up a 400?

52. What are the best techniques for building up a 455?

53. What can be done to free up air flow in the TPI plenums?

54. Can I install the L69 dual snorkle intake on my LG4 engine?

55. What tools make an easy job of changing the spark plugs?

56. Do any performance chips allow me to moderate the amount of power on my 3rd gen?

57. How hot does my thermostat run?

58. When do the primary and secondary fans kick in?

59. Can the fans be rigged to come on while the engine is not running?

60. Why can't I seem to get a proper timing reading?

61. How can I bypass my 3rd gen's speed limiter?

62. What is the difference between TPI, SFI, MPFI, TBI, and CPI injection?

63. What is needed to convert my engine to TPI fuel injection?

64. What fuel pressure setting will give me the best performance on my 3rd gen?

65. Why is my car getting harder to start day by day?

66. Should I use self-aligning or non-self-aligning rockers?

67. Which 3rd gen cars came with a stock dual exhaust system?

68. Does my 3rd gen car have an engine oil cooler?

69. Is there anything I can do to improve my 3rd gen 4 cylinder engine?

70. Is there anything I can do to improve my 3rd gen 6 cylinder engine?

71. Does it pay to swap my 3rd gen's 4 or 6 cylinder engine for an 8 cylinder?

72. What's the difference between the LT1 and its predecessor the L98?

73. What's the difference between the F-body LT1 and that in the Corvette?

74. Why don't F-Body LT1s get synthetic oil at the factory like Corvettes do?

75. Which 4th gen cars have a engine oil cooler?

76. Why has oil coated the underside of my engine and transmission?

77. Why has my oil pressure reading suddenly started to drop at higher RPMs?

78. What's that foul, burnt smell coming in the vents at stop lights?

79. What 4th gen air intake (induction) upgrades are available?

80. How can I make my own air intake without spending a lot of money?

81. What's that plastic tube which runs perpendicular to the air intake?

82. *What aftermarket performance items are available for the V6?

83. What aftermarket headers are available for the LT1?

84. What's the size of the LT1 throttle body and can I use a larger one?

85. Why and how should I bypass the throttle body coolant lines?

86. Why and how should I bypass the EGR valve/line?

87. Why and how should I relocate my idle air temperature (IAT) sensor?

88. What temperature is the stock thermostat on the 4th gen and can I go lower?

89. What 4th gen performance "chips/programs" are available?

90. Can I keep the stock thermostat after installing a performance chip?

91. Can the fans be rigged to come on while the engine is not running?

92. Why am I losing/smelling antifreeze, but nothing seems to be leaking?

93. What fuel pressure setting will give me the best performance on my 4th gen?

94. How easy is it to change the spark plugs on the LT1?

95. What spark plugs are available for the LT1?

96. Why has my car developed a bad hesitation problem (Optispark)?

97. Why does my car have a slight stumble upon slow acceleration?

98. Should I use self-aligning or non-self-aligning rockers?

99. What aftermarket camshafts are available for the LT1?

100. What aftermarket camshafts are available for the V6?

101. What's that knocking noise when the engine is cold?

102. What's that ticking noise when the engine is under load?

103. 4th Gen V6 Engine Specifications

104. Is the GN Turbocharged 3800 Series II engine the same as F-Body 3800's?

105. Is there a Supercharger Kit for the 3.4 or 3.8 liter?

106. Can I swap my 3.4 or 3.8 for an LS1, ZZ4, LT4, LS6?

107. Can I put a 4th generation V6 into my 3rd Generation?

108. Power Modifications - Steps to Improving 4th Gen V6 Horsepower

109. What V6 Parts Give More Horsepower for the buck?

110. What 4th gen V6 exhaust systems are available for my car?

111. Should I get a cat back system for more performance?

112. Which exhaust system is the best for the price?

113. Which exhaust looks the best?

114. Which exhaust will give me the best V8 sound?

115. Will headers make a difference in exhaust note?

116. Why get coated headers, what's the difference?

117. What does F.I.P.K. mean? What is a Cold air Induction System?

118. Which is better, SLP or K&N?

119. Why replace the stock air filter with a K&N Filtercharger?

120. How about those super tubes and that G2 system?

121. Is it possible to make a homemade induction system?

122. How do I make a functional RAM Air Setup?

123. Where can I find a K&N Conical Filter?

124. Is removing the MAF Screen worth the trouble?

125. What is the Tornado and Turbo Zet and what will it do for my engine?

Suspension, Tires, Brakes

1. What will trailing arms, a panhard rod, and a torque arm do for me?

2. What tires work the best at the drag strip?

3. How can I convert my old tire size (F60x15) to its metric equivalent?

4. Where can I get longer wheel studs from?

5. What is engine braking and is it advisable?

6. What's the difference between Rally I and II wheels?

7. What can I do to stop the shaking and wandering of my car?

8. What is that sticky spot developing in my steering?

9. What determined whether a Camaro got mono or multi-leaf springs?

10. What do I need to convert my front drums to disc brakes?

11. How can I improve handling?

12. How can I improve steering response?

13. What changes came with the RTS (Radial Tuned Suspension) in 1974?

14. What tires were available for the 2nd gen Camaro's?

15. What is the largest tire I can use on my 2nd gen?

16. When were rear disc brakes first offered on the Firebird?

17. What do I need to convert my rear drums to disc brakes on the 2nd gen?

18. How can I tell if I have a bad idler arm?

19. How easy it to change my 3rd gen's front struts?

20. What are the 3rd gen's factory front end alignment specs?

21. What are some suggested front end alignment specs?

22. What are the offsets for the front and rear 16 inch wheels?

23. Will 4th generation wheels fit on my 3rd generation car?

24. Why does my power steering pump tend to whine/hiss?

25. Do my rear disc brakes need to be adjusted?

26. What are the specs on the stock sway bars and springs?

27. What are the factory 4th gen front end alignment specs?

28. What are some suggested front end alignment specs?

29. What's that hallow clunking noise from the rear over bumps?

30. What are the dimensions of the 16 inch wheels?

31. What 4th gen tire options are available?

32. How should I rotate my tires?

33. How come my GSC tires are showing such excessive wear?

34. Is it normal for the rear tires to be rubbing against the wheel well?

35. How much backspacing is required for the wheels?

36. What is the widest tire I can use on my 4th gen?

37. How can I get another locking lug nut key?

38. Why are 1993 brake pads different from the 1994 and up models?

39. What are the best replacement brake pads to use?

40. What's that metal squealing noise from the rear on high speed turns?

41. Can I bleed ABS brakes without a problem?

42. What types of higher performance brake fluid are available?

43. Can I add traction control to my 4th gen v6?

44. What lowering springs should I use?

45. What about Z28 springs?

46. What shocks to choose for improved handling?

47. What is the best way to improve overall handling?

48. What is a good way to upgrade the suspension gradually?

49. I want new tires, what tires should I get for my 4th gen?

50. Tires, what size should I get?

51. Will new rims affect the ABS system?

52. Can I replace my 4th gen's drums with disc brakes?

53. I want to improve braking performance, what to do? (Low budget)

54. I want to improve braking performance, and I have some spare $$, what to do?

55. What replacement brake pads to choose?

56. What are the differences in rotors, Cross drilled, dimpled, slotted?

Tranny, Drivetrain, Rearend

1. What stock gear ratios came on the base GM trannies?

2. Can I replace my TH350 tranny with a TH400?

3. Can I replace my TH350 or TH400 tranny with a 700R4?

4. Can I replace my TH400 or 700R4 tranny with a 4L60E or 4L80E?

5. What can I do about a sqeaky clutch pedal?

6. How can I easily determine what rearend gear ratio I have?

7. How can I determine if I have a "posi" rearend?

8. How can I recalibrate my speedometer swapping for shorter/taller gears?

9. How can I recalibrate my automatic tranny shift points with a gear swap?

10. What is a Powerglide transmission?

11. When was the TH350 transmission first offered?

12. When was the TH400 transmission first offered?

13. What were the stock tranny gear ratios for the Muncies?

14. What is that whining noise coming from my Muncie M22?

15. What rear ends were available for the 2nd gen Camaro's?

16. What rear ends were available for the 2nd gen Firebird?

17. How can I adjust my 2nd gen's speedometer after swapping gears?

18. What's that buzzing/grinding noise at low RPMs?

19. Why won't my automatic tranny shift into overdrive at wide open throttle?

20. Can I replace my 700R4 automatic tranny with a later model?

21. What's the best way to install a Hurst shifter?

22. What are the stock tranny gear ratios and torque capacities?

23. What's the difference between the 4L60 and 4L60E tranny?

24. What is CAGS (skip shift) and how does it work?

25. How do I disable CAGS?

26. Why does my Service Engine Light come on now that CAGS is disabled?

27. How do disable the Skip Shift light as well?

28. Why is there no selectable 1st gear for my automatic tranny?

29. Why does my automatic tranny have trouble going into and out of reverse?

30. What's that screeching noise from my automatic tranny on hard shifts?

31. What's that rattling noise from my manual tranny upon acceleration?

32. What's that vibration I feel around 1800-2000 RPM?

33. Why does my manual shifter pop out of gear just after going into 2nd?

34. What's the best way to install a Hurst shifter?

35. Why was the rear end ratio on the 6-speeds changed from 1993 to 1994?

36. What GM rear gears are available for my car?

37. What's that clunking noise from the rear when decelerating?

38. What's that whining/grinding noise from the rear on slow turns?

39. Should I use synthetic rear end gear fluid and limited slip additive?

40. What does ASR stand for?

41. What can I improve on my automatic transmission?

42. Is there a way to improve shifting with the T5 manual transmission?

43. Can I put a T56, 6 speed manual transmission in my car?

44. What are the horsepower limits on the T5?

45. Will differential gears make a difference?

46. What gears to get? What brand?

47. I want to add a limited slip differential, is it possible?

Interior Related

1. Why does the gas guage plummet after the 1/2 mark?

2. Where can I get a reproduction dashboard?

3. Which Camaro's got rear seat arm rests?

4. Can I interchange dashboards between the different model years?

5. What can be done about my broken dash clock?

6. Why does only the "high" fan/blower setting work?

7. How can I prevent the wind from coming in around the door window?

8. Will a CD radio work with my steering wheel controls?

9. Why does my speedometer tend to bounce up and down by a couple MPH?

10. How come air will only come out of my defroster vents?

11. Why does my defroster come on and stay on when I hit the brake pedal?

12. What is the purpose of the seat belt recall?

13. Which cars came with the speed limiter and 115 MPH speedometer?

14. What's the "performance mode" button for on some of the Pontiacs?

15. Why does my emergency brake always seem to pull up to a different level?

16. Why do objects seem to be distorted through the front windshield?

17. What is the Retained Accessory Power feature?

18. What type of impact will cause the air bags to deploy?

19. What's the purpose of the steering wheel recall?

20. Why has my cruise control suddenly stopped working?

21. Why does my "ABS In-Op" light come on intermittently?

22. Why does my "Low Trac" light come on intermittently?

23. Why is my Pontiac cassette radio displaying a weird error code?

24. What happens if forget the code to my stereo's anti-theft feature?

25. Why is my CD ejected from the radio when I start up my car?

26. Is there a CD changer which works with the steering wheel controls?

27. Can I upgrade my stock Bose stereo system?

28. Can a pre-96 CD holder piece be retrofitted in to the later Camaro's?

29. Can I run wires from the engine to the interior without drilling a hole?

30. Where can I drill a hole to get wires from the engine into the interior?

31. Why doesn't my headrest stay adjusted?

32. Why doesn't my air conditioning feel as cold as it should?

33. Why is water leaking into my car from around the door/window?

34. Why is water leaking into my hatch area?

35. What's that squeaking noise coming from the dashboard?

36. What's that rattling/squeaking noise coming from the hatch area?

37. What's that buzzing noise coming from the hatch area?

38. What Dashboard Trim kits are available?

39. What about Pedal covers

40. What about Door sills

41. What about Leather interior

42. 150 mph dash in a V6 ?

43. How does the 150 mph cluster work on my V6 ???

44. Where to get a 150 mph cluster, how much ??

45. Can the V6 tach problem be solved ??

46. What is A pillar gauge pod

47. Cassette holder gauge plate

48. White faced gauge plate

49. Billet (polished stainless steel) gauge face plate

50. Can I change Shift knobs

51. Car alarm systems

52. Steering wheel covers

Exterior Related

1. How can I fix my leaking (rain and wind) T-top?

2. What's the best way to protect the weather stripping and T-top seals?

3. What's the best way to apply new decals/stickers to the paint?

4. How can I properly reattach the emblem that fell off my car?

5. What's the best car wash/wax for my car?

6. Should I use a car bra?

7. What's steps are necessary prior to prolonged storage of my car?

8. How can I fix my sagging door which hits the post when I close it?

9. Which areas of the body are most likely to rust?

10. Why was the color called "Hugger Orange"?

11. What were the dimensions of the 2nd gen Camaro's?

12. What Camaro's got split bumpers?

13. What years did the Camaro have a hood scoop and was it functional?

14. What years did the Firebird have a hood scoop and was it functional?

15. How can I adjust my leaking (rain and wind) T-top?

16. What's with the extra wipe after turning off the wipers?

17. Why does the paint on my car seem to fade/crack/peel so easily?

18. What is the purpose of the fuel filler neck recall?

19. Where can I find 24 inch replacement wiper blades?

20. How can I take my wiper arms off?

21. Can I replace my fixed mast antenna with a retractable one?

22. What is causing the scratches on my door window?

23. What are the plastic blocks under the car that say "Don't Jack Here"?

24. How can I change my fog light bulb?

25. Why do my headlights flicker when I drop down to 1500 or 1750 RPM?

26. How can I disable my daytime running lights and ambient light sensor?

27. What are those dimples/dents on the top of my rear quarter panels?

28. Where can I get a Ram Air, Firehawk, or SS hood?

29. What aero (dress-up) kits are available for the Camaro?

30. Do Body Kits Look Good? Should I get one?

31. Neon Lights, Ideas on How to Incorporate Them onto Your Car

32. Wheels, what do they look like on different Camaro's?

33. Spoiler choices, what's the point of a bigger one?

34. Grille replacement, what brands are available?

35. Fog Lights, what do different brands look like?

36. Should I Shave the Door Handles on my car?

37. What about Headlight Covers? Do they look good?

38. What do taillight covers look like? Do they make clear ones?

39. Inserts for the CAMARO on the rear of the car?

40. I want CAMARO badges, what are available?

41. What are the classifications of being "ricey"?

42. Hood Accessories and Hoods

Miscellaneous

1. What is the SCCA? How do I join?

2. What is autocross racing?

3. What is considered stock in autocross?

4. What is the best launch technique for my car?

5. What on-board systems are available measure performance numbers?

6. What computer diagnostic tools are available for my car?

7. What are some junk yards that deal specifically with F-Bodies?

8. How can I decode my Firebird's cowl tag (data trim plate)?

9. How can I display the error codes from a 3rd gen's Service Engine Light?

10. Where can I get a Knight Rider conversion kit for my Trans Am?

11. How does the PASS-Key II system work?

12. How can I display the error codes from a 4th gen Service Engine Light?

13. How can I determine a particular wire by its color and location?

14. Why do the fans and service engine light come on just after cold start?

15. How fast is my 4th gen car?