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!

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

^^^agree, not a Formula.

Welcome to the site.

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.

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

What size engine came with the formula, stock?

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).

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

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

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

Dbl post

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

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? <<<<<<<<<<<

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

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...

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.

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.

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?

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)?

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)

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?

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

i have a replacement part in black lmk if your interested