Difference: Firebird & Trans-am
#1
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Car: 1992 Firebird
Engine: 191cu.in 3.1L
Transmission: automatic 700R4
Difference: Firebird & Trans-am
Folks im in a pickle here i have a normal '92 bird and im trying to figure out what made the trans-am and Formulas so special vs. the normal firebird other than the others having bigger engines.
#4
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the gta's were fully optioned, they had power everything, ground effects, luxury interior, t-tops on most of them, gta rims, v-8 engine standered. the formulas had the 350s in them, basicly a bird that had all the options as a t/a just without the body looking like a t/a.
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 9bolt 3.27
the formula option was just ws6 suspension,hood, and 16inch wheels that was the only options that it had they all didnt come with 350 my buddies is a lo3. the T/A is the fenders and hood and v8 suspension some came with ws6 some didnt other than the tail lights, 16inch wheels and wing also they are the same. The gta is decked out with almost every option. i own a parts car for my T/A its just a firebird it has g/f power everything, and t-tops.
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Car: 1992 Firebird
Engine: 191cu.in 3.1L
Transmission: automatic 700R4
ok well that covers the named "big birds" but on another thread a guy had another type of F-bird he called it a Firehawk what would that be. A modified regular firebird?
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Car: Recaro Option T/A
Engine: 305 Tuned Port Injection
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3:27 Borg Warner
Originally Posted by 1BADROC
the formula option was just ws6 suspension,hood, and 16inch wheels that was the only options that it had .............
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Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
Originally Posted by phoenix92
ok well that covers the named "big birds" but on another thread a guy had another type of F-bird he called it a Firehawk what would that be. A modified regular firebird?
Basically the breakdown is this.
Base Firebird: V6 or TBI V8, could have all the options that was on a T/A except the WS6 and the TPI motors.
Formula: Base Firebird body with either 305 TBI, 305 TPI or 350 TPI. Standard was the WS6 suspension and 16" wheels. Everything else was optional on the car, including the GTA style ultima seats and deluxe door panels. The Formula was the only car in '91 and '92 that a person could get a 350 with T-tops.
T/A: Base Firebird with a 305 or 350 TPI. Could be stripped with no power options or be fully loaded with everything that also comes on the GTA. 305 TPI could be either manual or auto, 350 TPI was auto only. T-tops were not available on the 350 cars in '91 and '92.
GTA: Top of the line 'luxury' version of the Trans Am. Every option came on the car, the only option you could order was t-tops, but not on the 350 cars starting in 1991
Last edited by Klortho; 07-13-2006 at 09:40 AM.
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Car: 1995 Formula; 1976 Trans Am
Engine: LT1; None
Transmission: T56; None
Originally Posted by phoenix92
ok well that covers the named "big birds" but on another thread a guy had another type of F-bird he called it a Firehawk what would that be. A modified regular firebird?
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Tied ya, Klortho
Last edited by Bull; 07-13-2006 at 09:33 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Car: 1989 Iroc, 1987and 1989 formula 350
Engine: 305tpi,350tpi,ls1
Transmission: 700r4,t-56
Axle/Gears: 3:08,3:27,3:23
Originally Posted by Firebat
Don't forget the 3rd gen firehawk trans am
The Secret Classic and Muscle Car Collection of Milton Robson - High Performance Pontiac Magazine
The Secret Classic and Muscle Car Collection of Milton Robson - High Performance Pontiac Magazine
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Car: 1991 Trans Am GTA
Engine: L98(5.7 L TPI)
Transmission: 700r4(A4)
Axle/Gears: G80 RPO, 3:23s, Auburn Racer's Diff
TAs and GTAs also came standard with different ground effects, hoods, and rear taillights than base birds.
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
HEre is the Differences Between the Firebird, Formula, Trans Am and GTA:
Base Suspension:
Firebird only
FE1 Suspension
Trans Am - Standard
FE2/WS6 suspension
Formula - Standard
GTA - Standard
TA - OPTIONAL
Ground Effects
89-92 Firebird - Option
Formula - NA
Trans Am - Standard
GTA - Standard
V6
Firebird ONLY
LO3/LG4 - V8
Firebird - Optional
Formula - Base Engine
Trans Am - Base Engine - 82 ~ 89
GTA - NA
LB9 V8
Firebird - NA
Formula - Option
Trans Am - Option - 82-89
Trans Am - STANDARD - 90 - 91
GTA - Option for Credit
L98 350 TPI
Formula - Option
Trans Am - Option
GTA - Standard
Tail Lights
Base Firebird & Formula had one style the
GTA & Trans Am had the black out Grid type
HOOD:
Firebird - Flat style
S/E - 82 - 84 Flat type
S/E - 85 & 86 - Flat type with louvers in the front only
Formula - Power Buldge
Trans Am - 82 - 84 Power Buldge
Trans Am - 85 - 92 Flat style with louvers in front and on rear sides
GTA - Flat style with louvers in front and on rear sides
Spoiler
Firebird - Wing - option until about 86
SE - Wing option until about 86
Trans Am - Wing - 82 - 85 Standard
Trans Am - Aero - 86 + Standard
Trans Am - Wing - 86 option
Trans Am - Aero - 85 - Option
Formula - Aero - Standard
GTA - Aero - Standard
Hope that helps.
Base Suspension:
Firebird only
FE1 Suspension
Trans Am - Standard
FE2/WS6 suspension
Formula - Standard
GTA - Standard
TA - OPTIONAL
Ground Effects
89-92 Firebird - Option
Formula - NA
Trans Am - Standard
GTA - Standard
V6
Firebird ONLY
LO3/LG4 - V8
Firebird - Optional
Formula - Base Engine
Trans Am - Base Engine - 82 ~ 89
GTA - NA
LB9 V8
Firebird - NA
Formula - Option
Trans Am - Option - 82-89
Trans Am - STANDARD - 90 - 91
GTA - Option for Credit
L98 350 TPI
Formula - Option
Trans Am - Option
GTA - Standard
Tail Lights
Base Firebird & Formula had one style the
GTA & Trans Am had the black out Grid type
HOOD:
Firebird - Flat style
S/E - 82 - 84 Flat type
S/E - 85 & 86 - Flat type with louvers in the front only
Formula - Power Buldge
Trans Am - 82 - 84 Power Buldge
Trans Am - 85 - 92 Flat style with louvers in front and on rear sides
GTA - Flat style with louvers in front and on rear sides
Spoiler
Firebird - Wing - option until about 86
SE - Wing option until about 86
Trans Am - Wing - 82 - 85 Standard
Trans Am - Aero - 86 + Standard
Trans Am - Wing - 86 option
Trans Am - Aero - 85 - Option
Formula - Aero - Standard
GTA - Aero - Standard
Hope that helps.
Last edited by okfoz; 01-15-2007 at 10:56 AM.
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Car: 2002 Formula
Engine: 5.7 LS1
Ok, help me out. By VIN I have a 87 Firebird with a LG4. I have 16" wheels, ws6 suspension package and bulge hood. I think the front clip has been repalced. Could someone take pic of rear end. Tail lights and Aero wing. Dont know story behind car, dont know what I'm driving.
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
SOME of the early 87 Formulas may have had the "Firebird" emblem on the fenders, The reason I speculate this is in some of the early literature they have the Firebird emblem attached, then the "Formula" decal on the doors as well.
Looking at the picture I really can't tell, which way the car was converted, either it is a Base firebird with a Formula hood & Wheels, or its a Formula with a base wing, either way something has been changed.
John
Looking at the picture I really can't tell, which way the car was converted, either it is a Base firebird with a Formula hood & Wheels, or its a Formula with a base wing, either way something has been changed.
John
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Car: 2002 Formula
Engine: 5.7 LS1
OK, here it is. The car is a 1987. It has Formula Hood, 16 inch wheels, and WS6 plaque on dashpad. The car has NO RUST. When I took the carpet out the floorboards looked brand new. The front fenders are a little out of line. The rear hatch is off a 1986. The engine is a mystery. Anywhere you would normally find a casting number there are none. I have no idea what size engine is in it. The vIN list a base model Firebird. I belive it was in an accident and the donor car was a 1986 Formula. Sound logical?
#23
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
not actyally, since there were no 1986 Formulas.
What are the last numbers in your VIN, it may be an early Formula that got the 86 hatch, I have never seen this however.
John
What are the last numbers in your VIN, it may be an early Formula that got the 86 hatch, I have never seen this however.
John
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Car: 2002 Formula
Engine: 5.7 LS1
The mystery may soon come to end. The car before I brought it was registered it whole life in Powhatan Va. There is a weekly newspaper and they will do short article on car mystery. Would not work in large city, but I guess more interesting then billy bob losing 2 hunting dogs. LOL
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Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70 posi
Actually also incorrect, the '91-'92 Firebirds had the exact same GFX as the Trans Am's and GTA's. Only the Aerowing and taillights were different. Also the GFX on the '90 Firebirds were also the same as the T/A's and GTAs
#26
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Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT
Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 700R4, M5
Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45
THe base hood on the base firebirds were also unchanged, Cosmetically the differences between the Firebirds with ground effects and the trans am with GFX are the following:
1) Trans Am & GTA got 16" rims (standard) - 88 or 89 & up
2) Trans AM & GTA got special louvered hood - 85 & up
3) Trans Am & GTA got aero wing (standard) - 87 & up.
1) Trans Am & GTA got 16" rims (standard) - 88 or 89 & up
2) Trans AM & GTA got special louvered hood - 85 & up
3) Trans Am & GTA got aero wing (standard) - 87 & up.
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