Actually the 93-96 or 97s has a 3.4L V6. It was the 97/98 and up that got the 3.8L. The 3.8 is solid and race proven. Buick used the same architecture in their 700hp Indy cars and of course the Grand National. Ive heard mixed stories about the 3.4L. Its based on the old Chevy 2.8L V6 since the 80s. I had a coworker who had a 94 Firebird and they replaced the headgaskets after 20K miles; but she said her car was a demo. and to me a demo. is as good as buying a salvaged wreck. Another coworker at the same place bought a 95 Firebird that was leftover stock when the 96s came out but it was still brand new and he had no problems at all.