Saving a 1987 Formula from the Junkyard - Restoration - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

bradley23150 · 05-01-2009, 09:59 PM

I have been wanting to build up my 3rd gen for a long while now, and when my Trans ams' Frame cracked again, before the transmission went out, I decided to start from scratch. I scoured the area, and actually found a rust-free, dent-free shell local, a 1987 Formula 350.
The 350 TPI, transmission, computer, wiring, and even the gearing was all torn out, and the car was awaiting its turn for the crusher. I came to a mecahnics shop to look at another car, and saw that this one was in far better shape, and a few words later, I had my new project for $300 +tax and tow.

The car was in rough shape, nothing was removed carefully, and the car looked as if it came straight from the U-Pull it, the wiring alone, was almost enough for me to throw in the towel, but I had my whole Trans am to gather parts from.

Here is a preview of what I started with:

The car is obviously a mess, the first thing I did was bag all of the old interior up, and toss it to the curb, nearly nothing of the original interior was deemed salvagable.

My basic plan was to: Strip out the old, clean, remove things I didnt need, Like AC, Clean again, then paint, and reinstall new.

After stripping out all of the old wiring, fuel lines, AC lines, old master cylinder, and all other unneccesary garbage, I ended up with this, after installing new wiring and cleaning it up a bit.

The bay looks a bit better than this since this picture was taken, ive since painted the K-member gloss black, and smoothed out the wiring a bit.

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bradley23150 · 05-01-2009, 10:23 PM

After mostly cleaning up the engine bay, i decided it was on the the
rest of the driveline, minus engine and tranny. The old rearend just
had to go, not only was it greasy, rusty, and in poor shape, all of its
internals were missing, and therefore was inoperable.

After unbolting the LCA's, panhard, old struts, swaybar, etc, the
rearend was on the ground. After the rearend was dropped, The fuel tank
was removed, for 2 main reasons. 1: It had an electric fuel pump, the
engine I am installing is carbureted, thats not going to work. 2: This
car sat for a very long time, and I bet the fuel was so old, that it
wasn't even flammable any more, not to mention it leaked.

Between this point, and installing the new rearend, I seemed to
have misplaced my camera, so all I have is before and after shots.
The rearend is a Borg Warner 9-bolt. I put new Rotors, Re-manned
calipers, and new pads on it, and sprayed all 4 calipers with red
caliper paint, I think it looks awesome, and is much better than most
3rd gens with drum brakes.

The rear had a few messed up studs, so I decided to play it safe
and replace all 10 Studs, it looks great, and theres nothing like a bit
of peace-of-mind. I also replaced the fuel tank, all fuel lines, and
new rubber fuel lines, all that came from my old Trans am. The specs of
this arrangement are: Lakewood Lower control arms, Lakewood Adjustable
Panhard bar, AG Lowering springs, and KYB GR2 shocks.

Back to the interior, here is how it currently sits, I pulled the whole
dash out, removed a bit of un-needed AC components and installed a full
wiring harness from my 84 Trans am. I'de have to say that replacing all
of the wiring is the last thing I ever want to do again, its a serious
pain. I also put the steering column in, which was also a huge pain.

I havent installed the new door panel on the drivers side yet,
because I have to replace the door handle. Apparently somebody decided
to use an old Allen-head to use as the pivot of the handle, not to
mention it wobbles alot, and is an easy fix. I am going with a
Black/Grey theme and I think its coming along quite nicely so far.
The car has come a long way from what it used to be, and still has a
way to go, but I am going to try to document, and post my progress
along the way, and hopefully get some help if I need to.
Ill try to get some more pics up tomorrow.

defaced · 05-01-2009, 10:53 PM

Looks awesome man. Looking forward to updates.

DanJz · 05-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Damn dude, you are really bringin that thing back from the dead!!! That's awesome. Keep up the great work and updates

Thirdgen Ranch · 05-02-2009, 10:49 AM

Looks like it's coming along nicely.

steve87ta · 05-02-2009, 09:08 PM

Looking good ! I will be watching for updates and am doing something similar. I have to do a complete wiring harness swap to- is it really that bad?

gcgarner · 05-02-2009, 09:55 PM

Wow. I would have let that thing go. I'm very impressed by people like you that can save these cars in this way. Just one look at the interior and engine bay and I would have run as fast as I could.

Great work!

bradley23150 · 05-03-2009, 11:19 AM

Thanks everyone, Ill try to keep up the updates, and hopefully have a couple more pics today. As far as the wiring goes, Im using a 1984 Wiring harness in this 87, Its not THAT bad, as long as you dont drive the car, and take your time. Don't make the mistake of just unplugging wires without labeling them, like I did, it only makes it harder. I also replaced EVERY wire, from the headlights, to the taillights, including wiring the radio myself. My harness was from a carbureted car, and I deleted the AC from it, so it wasnt as hard as it could've been, just take your time.

(84t/a)5.0HO · 05-03-2009, 02:55 PM

wow your doin a amazing job. if only i had the time and money to do this to my t/a. if you would nice and put a price list of all the suppension products you got i would appreciate it

V6F1R3BRD · 05-03-2009, 03:59 PM

i have the exact same car.. well mine has a motor and such lol.

im always complaining about the little things and you totaly just made me appreciate what i have and what can be done with some hard work and discipline.

great work and i would love to see how it comes out.

thanks alot man

bradley23150 · 05-03-2009, 04:23 PM

Cool, thanks for the support, I snapped a few more pictures today, hopefully you'll enjoy.

This is what the engine bay looks like, as of today.

And another:

Then I did a quick mock-up of what the front bumper is going to look like. The GTA look was always my favorite, and I had a Front bumper and full GFX for my previous car, that I am installing on this one.

And these are my rims and tires, The rims look like ''Gotti'' rims, but I don;t think they are, and the tires are Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's, 215/65R15. Nothing fancy, but I like them.

I chose the 91-92 High rise spoiler for it, and I finally got a local deal on one for $50, after searching forever for one.

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bradley23150 · 05-03-2009, 04:27 PM

This is my yet-to-be-assembled engine, Its a Post-86 block, full roller, aluminum pistons, PM rods, Vortec heads, etc. Still looking for a performer intake.

And this is another shot of the interior, still in the making, but worth an update.

I may post up prices of the suspension when I get a chance to find the prices, but thats for later. Thanks again people.

bradley23150 · 05-05-2009, 08:19 PM

Update-

Not much of a "Picture Worthy" Update. I got the rings set on the pistons, and numbered them. I was going to strive to get the bottom end done, but realized I didn't have a rear main seal housing, but my dad grabbed me one today. I hope to have a significant update soon. I need to get to the U-Pull it yard for a few things.

92 Camaro · 05-06-2009, 08:31 AM

We all appreciate what you're doing when you save an F-Body. Where did you get it? How was it pulled from a junkard? There's sometimes some decent cars at mine.

84redta · 05-06-2009, 09:20 AM

Looks good man, you are doing the same damn thing as me, down to the gray/charcoal two tone on the interior, and thats great to see

. Only difference is i'm running a 91/92 Trans Am spoiler instead of spending a rediculous $300+ for a correct fiberglass one or finding a good condition one for an arm and a leg. Can't wait to see the progress, i'm in going through body work right now, and once that is done, dropping the interior in and going. Being so close is hard because i can only work on her during the weekends so during the week i'm going nuts. Keep up the good work, you'll enjoy the outcome that much more knowing how much work you did do to revive the car, I know i'm already enjoying it and i haven't even gotten to drive it more than 10 miles. Good luck!

Jon

bradley23150 · 05-06-2009, 02:52 PM

I didn't actually buy this car from a junkyard, but if I didn't, thats where it was headed. Theres a guy about 10-15 minutes away from me that owns a mechanics shop, that strips and sells parts off of cars on the side. This particular car suffered at the hands of him before I got it, and was destined to go to the crusher. He also had an 86 T/A there, and now has a 91 there as well. Its where cars go to die, sad really.

Thanks guys. Its going to be something else when I finally drive this beast, considering I got it without a driveline. Ive been wanting the Black/Grey two tone, and have been collecting parts a while. I just can't seem to find any good seats, but Im not too concerned about that.

Oh- I need help with something. I dont have any tranny cooler lines, Do they go in before I drop the motor in, or not? Can I use an external Transmission fluid cooler, and run rubber, or braided lines? I hate those damned metal lines, they never line up correctly. Thanks!!

87_Injected · 05-06-2009, 09:26 PM

I hope to do what you are doing someday. Seems like so much fun yet time consuming. It will pay off in the long run and you have something to be proud of and call your own. Looking foward to the results. But I hve to ask.. Why put a 91-92 z28 spoiler on a firebird? Is this one of the features you appreciated from the Z28? All in all.. I'm excited to see how it turns out for you.

92 Camaro · 05-06-2009, 09:41 PM

where in florida is this?

bradley23150 · 05-07-2009, 02:05 PM

I went with the 91-92 spoiler, because I am not too fond of many of the firebird ones. I have always wanted this spoiler, despite that I hate tall spoilers, this one has always peeked my interest, and I think it looks good, especially once I get the Bumpers and GFX all bolted on, and one color.

Why do you need to know where in florida I am?

92 Camaro · 05-07-2009, 11:26 PM

I don't want to know where you are, I want to know where this is happening as I live in Florida.

bradley23150 · 05-08-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92 Camaro

I don't want to know where you are, I want to know where this is happening as I live in Florida.

Tampa

1ATony · 05-08-2009, 04:38 PM

Holy crud, that first pick made me want to puke.Saving one from the crusher is the best resto project in my book,good job man.

Jay Leno said on one of his shows the other day,restoring an old car is recycling.It saves on material and energy that gets wasted building a new car. There's allot of truth to that.

Tony

92 Camaro · 05-09-2009, 10:17 AM

oh that is pretty far from me.

firebird896 · 05-27-2009, 03:06 AM

Could u go into more detail how u rebuilt that 10 bolt

Shadow Z · 05-27-2009, 06:06 AM

I have mucho respect for you man, warms my heart to see a third gen saved from a life of deterorating. Good luck with the restoration.

bradley23150 · 05-27-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -IrocZ-

I have mucho respect for you man, warms my heart to see a third gen saved from a life of deterorating. Good luck with the restoration.

Thanks alot

I have a bunch of updates to make, but apparently I misplaced my cameras' card reader, so I cannot upload pictures at this time. I will keep searching, and will make an update asap.

About the rear-
Its a 9-bolt and I didnt rebuild it, just put new calipers, rotors, and pads on it.

1ATony · 05-27-2009, 10:53 AM

Updates are always good.

Intrepid781 · 05-27-2009, 11:03 AM

Indeed

NT-Z · 05-27-2009, 01:58 PM

Looking great. It wouldve been sad to see that thing go the crusher. Great job

firebird896 · 05-27-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradley23150

About the rear-
Its a 9-bolt and I didnt rebuild it, just put new calipers, rotors, and pads on it.

Ah, I misunderstood

Find that memory card lol

Petes 84Z28 · 05-30-2009, 03:55 PM

Good work

I'm doing something along the same lines myself, taking a stripped out 89 Formula and rebuilding it. I must say, you had more to start with than I did, lol
I haven't posted here in a long while, but I *think* there is a link to the process in my sig.
I swapped in the LG4/T5 from my 84 Z28; wiring and body parts from an 86 Firebird, using the same style 90-92 Z spoiler, etc.
It's driveable, but still a work in progress...

bradley23150 · 05-31-2009, 10:37 AM

Thanks guys, and Pete, I'll be sure to check yours out!

Found my card reader, turns out my mom borrowed it.... =/

Got a bit done, got the rear GTA bumper on, as well as the rear GFX mounting holes drilled. Its an odd feeling drilling holes into my car, but I was confident in my measurements and proceeded thusly.

Just took my time to measure, and made a template, then drilled.

And there you have it. beautiful.

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bradley23150 · 05-31-2009, 10:44 AM

I posted the same pic twice, and cant edit..

Heres the GFX mounted:

Finally got my engine built up, its a thing of beauty

As you can see, I got my performer vortec intake, I finally broke down and just bought one brand new.
Engine on the lift ready to be dropped in, even this picture was taken with the lift at the front of the car, I couldnt get the engine to sit right, so I had to go in through the passenger side, and take the tire off to fit it in, but it went.

This old formula surely never saw a new engine in its future, but here it sits

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Shadow Z · 05-31-2009, 10:21 PM

Jesus dude, that engine is a beauty. I'd feel odd drilling holes in my car also, which is why I'm gonna take off the side skirts, find some new ones and leave the original ones alone for when I cut out a space for the side exhausts. Lol.

bradley23150 · 06-08-2009, 01:59 PM

Got most of the engine put together now, all accessories, belts, hoses, etc.
Cant start it until:
I Install/time the distributor
Find plugs for a couple holes in the side of the block
Hook up tranny cooler
Wire fan
Get a tranny fluid dipstick

Notice the belt routing instructions, and airbag warning, my car has neither

Thats about it for now, shes really coming along.

CharcoalBird · 06-08-2009, 03:01 PM

How much longer are you giving it to be done? Looks like your almost there.

pyrostick · 06-08-2009, 05:45 PM

Hey man, glad to see its that much closer to being started. To bad I cant be there for when its started.

the_am_man · 06-08-2009, 07:26 PM

Wow you did all this in the course of a little over a month? You sure don't waste anytime, I can't even imagine how long it would take for most of us on here to get something that far, looking that good. My hats off to you brad.

mmadden55 · 06-08-2009, 07:39 PM

Nice Job! And a big thumbs up for saving that formula!

bradley23150 · 06-08-2009, 09:54 PM

Im not sure how much longer until a test drive, or roasting a set of old tires, but im hoping soon, within 1-2 weeks, hopefully.

Im sure its been longer than a month, but it has improved alot in a short while, I've been working my *** off on it, and had a couple friends help out here and there, were getting it done.

Thanks guys,
and Chris, you never called to say bye, but thats alright, just have a good time up there, I'll just be down here, in lame florida.

Red90IROC · 06-08-2009, 10:25 PM

Cool story and pix Bradley, keep 'em coming!

omnipotentgoku · 06-09-2009, 12:10 PM

bump bump keep us posted, nice job!

Aviator857 · 06-09-2009, 05:12 PM

Looking good. I've thought about finding a shell and doing this. I just discovered the possibility that the unibody is slightly twisted which is wierd since i have never wrecked the car and have been the only driver since 1997 and it wasn't wrecked before I got it. It almost seems it twisted its self while in storage. I am trying to decide which rout to go, get it straightened or do what you are doing. The car has sub-frame connectors, and is as rust free as you can find and with a factory 305 I don't see engine torque as being strong enough.

Either way, I am thinking of striping it down and getting it painted topside and bottom side and putting in an LS1, the car has 212K miles so it will never be a high dollar car.

T1m3_Sh1ft3r · 06-10-2009, 02:40 AM

see now i have proof that a car can be restored and looking good, i have this argument with my GF all the time, andif she had her way my firebird would be on its way to the junkyard. altho having proof at this point is kinda point less because she is always right lol

JeremyNYR · 06-10-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T1m3_Sh1ft3r

see now i have proof that a car can be restored and looking good, i have this argument with my GF all the time, andif she had her way my firebird would be on its way to the junkyard. altho having proof at this point is kinda point less because she is always right lol

This wouldn't prove it to her. she would need to see it repainted and driving in person. Even then, it'd freak her out that the car was assembled by one person in a garage rather than in a factory. I think most women think there's some magic in a factory that makes things safer and better than you can do yourself.

Anyway, very nice work so far on the formula! How much do you figure you have into it so far? The deluxe door panels were a nice score with the car. did you dye them from gray to black? If so, what brand dye?

92 Camaro · 06-10-2009, 01:15 PM

You've done good. I might have to get another 3rd gen for a summer project.

1ATony · 06-12-2009, 12:15 PM

Man what a great job you did on that motor and the entire car so far.

bradley23150 · 06-12-2009, 09:37 PM

I appreciate everyones' enthusiasm, I cant wait to get this thing driving, and lay some rubber around here. Its true, women dont see cars the way men do, anything a factory can do, someone with experience can do just as well, I guess the feeling of security is worth something.

About the door panels, I didn'd re-use the ones that were originally in the car (If anyone wants to buy them, pm me) It just so happened that I was re-doing a set for my trans am, before the transmission blew, I did luck out that the doors had the proper bracketry for deluxe door panels, as the install was very easy. I didnt use any high dollar, or fancy dye, just Fabric and vinyl paint, and I am hoping it holds well.

I stripped the old fabric off the center of the door panel, and cleaned, acetoned, cleaned and cleaned some more, the old material, then sprayed them, let them dry, than got some cheap automotive replacement carpet, and cut to shape, and glued them in the center, not the most professional job, but they do look nice.