Alternator 30k, tension pulley at 75k, engine check light at 100k comes on and off, fan motor at 120k, all pretty normal for an American car.
This car has been pretty reliable for 135,000 miles. I drive it daily and take it a lot to 105mph on back roads. It's only a 3.4 V6 auto, it is a shame my previous 94 Honda Civic DX was faster in 0-60 and in top speed - 118mph my Firebird on a good day can only do 110mph.
The Pontiac does good mpg - on the highway 29mpg and the city 20mpg. Just change your transmission oil every 30k and sparkplugs and engine oil at 5k with 5w-30w, and the car will be just a good as any import.
The slow performance on the V6 was, mostly, because the Firebird was never designed to have a V6. Not in the 60s, not in the 70s, not in the 80s and not now. To complete a Firebird, a real Firebird, you've got to have a smallblock. I'm not normally into little motors like 350s, but it does the job more than admirably these days in F-Bodies. If you ever think about buying another, make sure it's a real Firebird, a V8--granted, you'll be easily taking weak imports like the 90 thousand dollar NSX and 90 thousand dollar Skyline, as well as the 60 thousand dollar M5, in topspeed, handling and acceleration (and fuel efficency), but also the standard luxury of the firebird is much, much superior to cars that don't come with CD players like the M5. I'm sure you'll also appreciate beating inferior cars like Porsche Boxsters and the like. I say all this to note that V6s don't belong in Firebirds. I wish they weren't offered in Mustangs and Camaros, but I tolerate it just because originally those were standard motors in 64 and 67 respectively. The Firebird has no excuse, with a 400 cubic inch motor standard originally.
Can any one tell me if is possible to exchange from a 3.4v6 to a 5.7v8 and what things should I have to change with it.
You know that Japan limited horsepower because they were afraid of starting a power war in between the extremely competitive Japanese car companies. A Skyline can easily be tweaked to run at its normal power level, around 400+ horsepower. American cars use displacement and the Japanese use technology.
Yes, all cars can be tweaked to perform at levels higher than advertised, especially a low tech small block, but it all costs money. You can also tweek that little V-6 to outrun a V-8, it just takes money and knowledge.
As for swapping engines, sure you can. It's going to cost you though. Get rid of the car and buy a mid 90's LT1 car. I got my SLP Formula Conv for 8800 buck about a month ago. Look for the good deals, they are there.
The Firebird governor only allows 110mph. Higher speeds could be possible, but restricted in this vehicle. It is a very heavy car, however, and it has a small engine (3.4 v6) for it's size (about two tons with passengers), so I wouldn't recommend going any faster anyway.
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