towinghondas

I just got this car. Traded a Mustang LX 5.0 for it. The old owner claims its a Formula. I looked at some of the pictures and it does not have the right hood. Also has 15 rims and a Lo3 TBI engine. 5speed though! Just wondered. I dont know if you can see back the ground effect on the door has a chunk out of it. Who/where should I try to find a replacement part?
Thanks a lot!

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

Ground effects, 15 inch rims, flat hood... not a Formula.

TTA 1387

^^^agree, not a Formula.

1Aauto

Welcome to the site.

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

It looks almost exactly like my car originally did. It looks like it had one of the appearance packages that caused some people to mistakenly think it was a Formula. I forget the name of the package... but it wasn't anything too special.

Really nice looking ride though! Repair that door and it should look great.

okfoz

1) The formula never had the appearance package. W63???

All third Gen formulas had the following:
- "Power" Bulge hood
- 16" Wheels
- Aero Spoiler (Wrap around type)

I have been in some heated debates about this...

2) The Formula was NOT available with
- 15" Wheels
- Ground FX

John

bitchin_buick

What size engine came with the formula, stock?

campin1983

iTrader: (4)

Sorry to create confusion. My car isn't a Formula either. Mine is a plain Firebird that had options that seemed to confuse people (ground effects, different wheels, etc) into thinking it was. My car used to look almost exactly like the original poster's car. For some reason, that appearance seems to fool people into thinking it is a Formula, even though it doesn't have any of the Formula options. The power bulge hood you see in my profile pic isn't original (which is probably why I've created unnecisary confusion).

towinghondas

Thanks!! Any idea where to get the part to fix the door?

FYRCHKN

Nope, not a Formula. It's just a base model W68 like mine used to be.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Base model

Insurance and resale companies labeled and base with the LO3 a Formula even when they were not. Top engine for the base was the LO3, base engine for the Formula was the LO3. I made the same mistake when i first got my bird

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Dbl post

okfoz

1987 - 1989
ENGINES
Firebird
S - V6 2.8L
O - 5.0L TBI LO3 (4BBL LG4 1987)

FORMULA & Trans Am
S - 5.0L TBI LO3 (4BBL LG4 1987)
O - 5.0L TPI LB9
O - 5.7L TPI L98

GTA
S - 5.7L TPI L98
O - 5.0L TPI LB9

1990 - 1992
ENGINES
Firebird
S - V6 3.1L
O - 5.0L TBI LO3

FORMULA & Trans Am
S - 5.0L TBI LO3
O - 5.0L TPI LB9
O - 5.7L TPI L98

Trans Am
O - 5.0L TBI LO3 (EXPORTED MODELS ONLY)
S - 5.0L TPI LB9
O - 5.7L TPI L98

GTA
S - 5.7L TPI L98
O - 5.0L TPI LB9

John

bitchin_buick

Sorry to hijack thread! The guy I bought my car from swore up and down mine was a(1991) formula LO3. ( I knew better and argued that the formula came with the 5.7) I was wrong... Car has been painted and car may or may not be a clone. Don't care formula or not cause I drive like an old man anyways! Wondering more for future resale?
>>>>>>>>> Is the TRUE answer on the chassis? <<<<<<<<<<<

okfoz

Your car may actually be a Formula with ground effects that were added by another owner. you would have to look at your RPO sheet to make sure... The nose is a Formula, as is the hood and spoiler... look for WS6 or W66 (Formula pkg)

John

bitchin_buick

Did not find the RPO/Build sheet. However, under the Map Holder (where the glove box would be) There is a banner that says "PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION".<<< Never noticed that before. John, thank you for your help...

Lee1

On my 91 Formula the RPO sticker is attached to the bottom of the locking lid of that glovebox like compartment on the driverside rear of the car.

rideon1200

If it is a spoiler guy spent some money trying to diguse it. Hood, wheels, rear spoiler, ground effects. Trans am maybe? Maybe the rear hatch has been changed. What does the title say, and make sure the vin numbers match.

bitchin_buick

Vin #'s match title, plate under drivers window, door jam sticker, ect...

>> Bingo<< I checked in that compartment before, but not on the lid of it! Thank you very much! Confirmed WS6 & W66 on factory sticker. Got pics of your bird to post up Lee?

82z28 wrencher

for the rpo number i here alot of locations correct me if im wrong. Inside the glove box. on the door. or on the back driverside compartment (the compartment were u get to ur rear markerlights)?

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

The RPOs for Thirdgens where never on the door. They are either inside the center console (84-91ish) or on the lid of the little locking glove box in the rear hatch area (91ish-92)

82z28 wrencher

hum well the rear was stripped dont know what glove box that was or is???
and the center counsle is not original so i take it the rpo is lost??? if so how can i tell what this car is for sure ALL body, interior ,and engine have been replaced the vin tells me its a base model "fs" i think, but is it a base model or formula? it did come with gold honeycomb rims dont know if that matters. so is there any way to find the history of my bird?

okfoz

You can measure the front sway bars. if it is 36mm then it has the WS6 suspension, it can be added to any car... No Base firebird had the WS6, only the Formula and GTA had WS6 standard, and the TA, WS6 was an option.

okfoz

I guess I should let you know that the "FS" on 87 & after cars would indicate either a Formula or a Firebird. The Formula was an option for the base firebird. Likewise "FW" would indicate a Trans Am, and the GTA, where the GTA was an option on the TA.

john

82z28 wrencher

i did another method a carfax was done on my car and found the first owner. Contacted him and found out it was a formula special ordered wit wrap around spoiler ground effects and power hood so wo ho!

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

It is really too bad the RPO codes are missing, because I'd bet that the Aero package RPO is not on them. Probably dealer added.

85 T/A WS6

The sailbird emblem (instead of decal) intrigues me a bit.

89Formula3

As far as i know the 3rd gen Formula was never offered wit the GFX and 15 inch wheels.

They came with wrap around spoiler

Bulge hood

And 16 inch wheels but did come in either an LO3, LB9 or L98

Grumbles

I'd prefer the 15" rims to be honest, tires are prolly cheaper.

ctdumptruck

i have a replacement part in black lmk if your interested

Trevmust

so a formula vin starts like 1FS right?

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

It will start with 1G2FS (1 being US, G being GM, 2 being Pontiac, F being F-body and S being Firebird/Formula)

Trevmust

I knew some things were missing lol. But the only real way to tell is the build sheet right? because base and formula both have S as trans am and GTA have the W. Correct?

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

The SPID will tell you if it was a Formula.

But, if the VIN is 1G2FS and the 8th digit is F or 8, then it is a Formula because the base Firebird wasn't offered with either TPI motor. If the 8th is S or T it is for sure not a Formula because the Formy wasn't offered with a V-6. If the 8th is E or H, then you have to look elsewhere as the LG4 and L03 were the base engine for the Formula and the upgrade motor for the base.

Trevmust

its a 4BBL.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

Are you talking about your own car here?

Trevmust

http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-...AdIdZ421469916 no this one.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

If you can get the VIN run it through Compnine, if it's a Canadian car it should be there. That will tell you if it was a Formula or not. With the shape of that car it's impossible to tell what it was originally.

Trevmust

I told the guy to tell me the Vin when he can

okfoz

From the pix, it appears (appears) to be a formula, the hood is a Formula hood and the hatch was a Formula or trans Am Hatch... It is missing the spoiler...

Honestly, the car is rough... Being a 305 4BBL, it is priced about right... Not too much there to work with, you will need a new dash pad, spoiler, door window wipes are shot (common) missing radio pod bezel, style #86 wheels are not doing it for me, Although they are True directional wheels. The front left fender is damaged, looks like an incident with a ditch, rust on rear wheel wells, and the clear coat is either pealing off, or someone sprayed it with flat black to hide something.

The nice thing is is you get a 5 speed (fun to drive) the 4bbl I think is LESS problematic than the TPI, BUT I still prefer TPI. The car has the "Custom" interior, with the molded style door panels...



John

Trevmust

He's considering an offer of $550. with the OEM rims. I don't mind if its not a formula, It would just be nice :P. According to the fact page its a 170hp engine whether its a base or a formula because it has a 5speed.

RobertLemke

John, some formulas came with the flat, non-wrap spoiler. Mine did. Possibly it was a special order that way, but it happened.

JT

iTrader: (1)

What year is your Formula and do you have a copy of the SPID?

Since you're not the original owner, it is very possible that the spoiler was changed.

okfoz

All Formulas came with the Aero Spoiler D81. From 1987-1992, all Firebirds got the Aero D81 spoiler, except the Base Firebird got the D80.

(The exception is the 1988-1989 Notchback GTA got the standard spoiler.

John

RobertLemke

I have all the paperwork on it, some of it scattered. My grandfather bought it new in 1989 in Concord, California.

RobertLemke

Maybe the dealer stole the D81, and put on the D80? LOL

JT

iTrader: (1)

Look at the SPID sticker on the inside wall of the center console. Look for RPO code D80 or D81 to conclude how the car came from the factory. Any discrepancy would be from dealership, aftermarket or previous owner.

RobertLemke

I will go look now. This has me intrigued. I came to look at how to fix wheels now I'm worried the thing is mismatched.

RobertLemke

You mean inside the console- as in I'd have to remove? Saw nothing inside the console. Any other places to check?

JT

iTrader: (1)

You just need to open the center console lid, which is hinged, and on the inside wall of the console is the SPID sticker that is black and white. If it's not there, it may have been removed. An alternative location is on the backside of the locking storage compartment in the driver's rear but it shouldn't be there if the car is a 1989.