phoenix92

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.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

the t/a's came with a better suspension, more interior options like power stuff, ground effects, different tail lights, different rims, different hood and fenders. their pretty much the same just with more options. hope that helps.

phoenix92

that answers about the T/A's but what about the Formulas or the GTA?

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

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.

1BADROC

iTrader: (1)

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.

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?

85 T/A WS6

Those features were standard, not options.

Klortho

The Firehawk was a Formula that SLP took and heavily modified the engine, put a ZF 6-speed from the Corvette, dual/dual exhaust, T-ram intake, and the Ronal wheels.

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

Bull

iTrader: (5)

A Firehawk was a super-low production Formula that was basically made into a street legal race car by a company called SLP. Some had cages, upgraded brakes, Ronal 17" wheels, T-Ram intake, Corvette transmission, and a bunch of other mods. They made 4th gen Firehawks, as well, and in much greater numbers.
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Tied ya, Klortho

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

Don't forget the 3rd gen firehawk trans am

The Secret Classic and Muscle Car Collection of Milton Robson - High Performance Pontiac Magazine

tpi-hearse

iTrader: (27)

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO rare I would not consder it obtainable since a normal person could never get one

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

I was just trying to point out that all Firehawks weren't exclusively Formulas

wgripp

iTrader: (1)

TAs and GTAs also came standard with different ground effects, hoods, and rear taillights than base birds.

Klortho

Actually, the ground effects were the same, but yes the taillights were different.

wgripp

iTrader: (1)

The TAs and GTAs have the same GFX, which differs from that of base birds. Maybe that's a better way to word it.

okfoz

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.

rideon1200

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.

rideon1200

here is pics on above post

rideon1200

Notice 3rd brakelight. This is a 1987. ??????

tpi-hearse

iTrader: (27)

looks like a base bird with formula rims and hood...or could be base formula with the rear hatch changed...but the firebird fender emblems lead me to believe it is a base bird

okfoz

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

rideon1200

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?

okfoz

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

rideon1200

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

Klortho

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

okfoz

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.