1988 firebird formula 350 - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

vadan34 · 04-09-2010, 11:52 PM

How many 1988 firebird formula 350s with the ws6 package were made and what would you say one in good condition with 142000 miles is worth?

burnout88 · 04-10-2010, 02:57 AM

142,000 miles is good condition??? The thing is one step from dead.

vadan34 · 04-10-2010, 08:13 AM

well trust me its not one step from dead and do u know how many were made?

$750 L98 · 04-10-2010, 09:03 AM

Formula 350 production was not tracked well from what I understand, only the total amount of Formulas - inlcuding 305 models.

Personally I don't think 142k is a lot of mileage on it, both of mine have over that. I had a 1988 Formula 350, Maui blue, gorgeous car - unfortunately it was cursed and was never to be "truly" mine. I miss that car.

Depending on condition I would say anywhere from 1,000-3,500+ for the car, with the high end meaning it's near pristine, RPO sheet still intact, all original body/interior parts, maybe a fresh mechanical rebuild.

vadan34 · 04-10-2010, 09:08 AM

do you know where i can find the rpo sticker on it and is there any way of opening the trunk without a key? becuz ive looked everywhere for a latch and cant find one

$750 L98 · 04-10-2010, 11:15 AM

RPO codes will be in the center console, it's a sticker stuck to the inside of the console. To open the latch, if it's not one with the electric hatch button (on the right side of the dash under the gauge cluster) you will have to pop it manually. To to that you will have to remove the rear hatch curtousey light and twist the release mechanism, I used a large flathead screwdriver to get mine open.

vadan34 · 04-10-2010, 11:37 AM

k thanks and do u know what the 88 formula 350 was rated at for horsepower

$750 L98 · 04-10-2010, 09:14 PM

The Formula 350 was rated at 240 crank horsepower and 350 crank torque, same as the other 350 TPI models.

vadan34 · 04-11-2010, 10:20 AM

Is 240 a pretty good amount of horsepower?

$750 L98 · 04-11-2010, 11:38 AM

It is, the massive torque helps a lot. I remember beating lots of mustangs and other little cars, G35 and the like. Compared to most new cars it's not much, don't expect to beat terminators or newer mustangs.

The good thing is, it's easy to mod them and get more power. Your first step should be getting rid of the TPI intake. It's awkward, leaks half the time, chokes the motor at high RPM. Look for a modified LT1 intake, Holley stealth ram, or TPIS miniram.

I would advise keeping it semi-stock though, that isn't a car for a LS1 swap or anything, if it's a good clean example, keep it that way. I learned that lesson a bit too late lol, drive it, put miles on it, but don't tear out the heart.

scottmoyer · 04-11-2010, 06:00 PM

All Formulas were WS6. The horsepower rating of an 88 Formula 350 is about 230. The hp is sufficient for playing with, because of the torque numbers. It's also a good jumping off point if you want to improve it.

okfoz · 04-21-2010, 09:05 PM

You can actually do a search on craigslist and on autotrader.com and get a reasonable feel for what people are asking for the cars...

a 142K mile car is not new by any strech of the imagination, so I would think $1500 to $5000 really depending on the condition of the car, rust, how well it was taken care of, how clean is the interior, was the engine bay kept cleen etc...

John