Welcome to Firebird Nation, what information would you like to know?

Bob

 

Thanks.

Anything! How does it differ from the F'birds of the past, like the older ones, or from the '90's ones? The only one I'm too familiar with is my aunt's blue '92 manual...

What does it look like? How will driving her be different from driving cars like the Prizm and Cavalier and pickup trucks? Is that a good year? I am very new to firebirds, so anything you can tell me about it is fantastic. Also, do you know of any pics I might find of one? I'm dying to know what she'll look like.

Forgive me if I'm a little gushy, she's my first car... I'm excited

 

Uhhmmm, I dont think a Firebird was made in 86 with a 2.8L or even a V6 of any size, in fact the only thing they made in 86 thats even close is the Chevy Camaro Berlinetta. It came with the 2.8L V6. Are you sure its a Firebird, if it is then it came standard with a 305. Your dad may have accidentally told you it was a Firebird as many people mistakenly mix the two. I hope for your sake that its a Bird, but if its a Camaro then Im sure you will like it anyway. Not really much difference other than personality, that is if you are like me and think cars have a personality. However if it is a Berlinetta then you may really like it since it will have the digital dash. It is known as the Digital Camaro. If I am correct and its a Camaro Berlinetta then please do us all a favor and stick around here at FBN. I personally would like to see some pics of the car and pics of the dash at night. The only one I've ever seen is on Knight Rider the tv show. I may be getting an 83 Firebird and a crap load of extra parts for it, including a digital dash so I would like to see it lit up and all.

Pardon my rudeness by not welcoming you to FBN, please stay with us and join in whenever you can.

 

Wrong information, this post has been edited.

 

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Bob, the 2.5 was the 4- banger, but was not offered in 86.
I think it was last used in the 1984s, where it was the base Firebird engine.
By 1986, the 2.8 F.I. V-6 was the base engine for the Firebird.

Leon.

 

Happy Birthday!!!!

 

Are you sure Bob, I didnt think the 86 came with any engine other than the V8, Thirdgen doesnt list a V6 or I-4 for the 86 and neither does the other website I use. Thirdgen only shows a 2.8L in a Berlinetta.

I guess it is entirely possible. I just did a search and see several things talking about an 86 2.8L engine. Kinda strange that Thirdgen and my other source neither list that engine. Maybe I will send them an email.

 

According to the Standard Catalog of Firebird, page 123, they list those three engines for the base firebird.

 

I'd like to have that catalog Bob, I'd look less stupid then. :surrender:

 

To be honest Frank, this catalog has been wrong many times, so it is possible that it is wrong again.

 

Welcome dude

Don't get confused by all this, as there was most indeed a 2.8 V-6 offered in the 1986 Firebird, and it was fuel injected.
So yours will be a fun car to drive, with the 5-speed. It just won't be real fast.
And here are a few pictures of what a red 86 Firebird will look like with the 3 different factory wheels offered that year, as well as a solid, and a two-tone paint job, which was also a factory option.

When you finally get yours, please start an album, and have some fun here.

Leon.

 

Leon,

I should have left this for the third genners. The 2.5L is the I-4, and the V6 is a 173 cubic inch which would be 2.8 L. I should have taken the time to actually do the math. I need to stop being lazy....

 

I still feel stupid Bob, I have been wrong on like 3 different topics in the last week, I guess I need more info. I have really gotta start studying things before I post, seems like I keep making bad assumptions on other peoples info.

 

Welcome to FBN Megan!!

WOW what a great Birthday present getting a Firebird.

Be sure and post up some pics when you get it so we can check it out. And feel free to ask all the questions you want. We are here to help you out!! Hope you enjoy the site. Look foreward to talking to you more in the future!

And

:bday: :bday: :bday: :bday: :bday:

 

Welcome to Firebird Nation Megan, and happy birthday!

Sounds like a really nice car you're getting, would be nice to see some pics when you get it!

Ken

 

Thank y'all so much for the info and the birthday wishes. I am really excited. Those pics make it look like it'll be nice. I can't wait 'til it gets here tomorrow, I will be all over it with the camera, and make sure to post the pics. Thanks again guys

 

Awesome first car! Welcome to the Nation!

:bday:

 

I use to have a 86 Camaro with the 2.8l V6 and a 5-speed and I loved it. As for it not being fast, that's bs. I could keep up with my friends GMC pickup with a 350 in it. Also I'm pretty sure the car topped out around 100-110mph. Was a very fun car and since my bird is only a auto I loved my Camaro more. It also had less problems and was stock then my Firebird is. So if it is a Camaro or a Firebird, you'll love it.

 

my girlfriend has an 86 firebird with the 2.8L in it with automatic. SHE HATES IT. its really really slow. but the 5-speeds were ok. i had an 85 camaro berlinetta 2.8L with auto. thats a part of my life i dont even want to think about. the 86 firebird has 135 hp @ 5100 rpm

and guys, to end the confussion. lol
the 2.5 (4 cyl) was available from 82 to 85
the 2.8 (6 cyl) was available from 82 to 89
the 3.1 (6 cyl) was available from 90 to 92

and the V8s....
305s any 3rd gen
350s 86-92

hope this helps a little

 

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That's very nice, but there were NO 350s in 1986.
1987 was the first year, when it came out in the GTA and Formula and T/A.

Leon.

 

No 350s in ANY 1986 F-bodies.That means Camaros too.
Where are you getting this information?
I would like to see for myself, that is, if you don't mind me asking.

Leon.

 

i think its called like f-body dot org or fbody dot org or something like that.

 

but thats not the first place i've heard that either tho. i dont remember if it was a few guys on firebirdnation or theformulasource, or both. its been so long. but check out the site i mentioned in my last post, im sure its there somewhere.

 

Try giving this a read:ThirdGen.org

Until a fully documented 1986 Camaro or Firebird, factory built with a 350 and sold to the public is found, I will stand by what is said in this link.

Leon.

 

interesting. it must have been a typo, because all of other info on the charts are very accurate.

 

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From what charts are you getting this info?
I'd like to read them, myself.

Leon.

 

Well, I spoke with my father again today. He wasn't able to get the truck & trailor to bring Daisy, as we have decided to name her, in honor of my admiration for Daisy Duke (the Catherine Bach version, not Jessica Simpson) over. But he's bringing the title out to me on and taking me to at least see her on Saturday, so I will bring my camera and tripod and take pics so y'all can tell me what you think.

By the way, he says it's an LB8 engine, a 2.8L GM engine available in the Camaro from '85-90, the Firebird from '85-89, and the Cutlass Supreme from '88-89.

Okay, so I have a dumb question (really dumb). What do the liters mean? I mean, I know 2.8L means 2.8 liters (right?), but what exactly is that? The size of the engine? I know it's stupid, and I feel dumb for asking but being a girl I wasn't exposed to vehicle knowledge growing up... most of what I know is both self-taught and superficial.

Thanks again for all the info offered! :-D

 

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2.8L is a 173 cubic inch V6. Six cylinders, each with 28.8~ cubic inch's of cylinder volume. Hope thats what you wanted to know.

2.5 = 151 cid .....In line 4 cylinder
3.1 = 191 cid .....V shaped 6 cylinder
3.4 = 207 cid .....V shaped 6 cylinder
3.8 = 231 cid .....V shaped 6 cylinder
5.0 = 305 cid .....V shaped 8 cylinder
5.7 = 350 cid .....V shaped 8 cylinder

 

another way to look at it, you know how the pistons go up and down? the highest the piston goes up is considered top dead center (TDC) and the lowest the piston goes in the cylinder is called bottom dead center (BDC). now, let say all of the cylinders were at BDC (which isnt possible) if you were to fill all 6 of your cylinders with some kind of liquid, it would take 2.8 liters to fill them all in total.

i hope this helps