so, i just recently bought a '89 Formula 350, hardtop, with 29k original miles. i'm still waiting for shipmeent (no drivers want to deliver to my area). it's Maui blue ( i would have preferred black) but 29k miles! this will be my third 3rd gen Firebird. i also have a 67 Firebird, an 89 Mustang LX 5.0 and a 96 Z28.

i already have an idea how i want to build it (aluminum vortec heads, mild Eliot Port Works cam, vortec base, AS&M runners, 1.5 rrs, ect.) but where's all the aftermarket parts - i mean for the simple ****? cold air intake? 1.75" headers? are 3rd gens (particularly 87-92 models) not a viable performance platform deserving of a readily available aftermarket? SLP stopped making 3rd gen stuff (nice ) and the problem is they were the only ones who made CAIs and 1.75" headers for third gens. i cant get a CAI from Moroso or K&N.

okay. i'll make my own CAI.

but as far as the headers, i'll have to go with 1.65s. that is, unless i go with full lengths - and i dont want the clearance and fitment issues associated with that. i have heard that there is a guy called Dyno Don on this board who makes headers, but i dont know how to contact him. if someone could help me out with that, i'd sure appreciate it.

also, AS&M TPI runners. who sells them? is AS&M a brand name, because i cant find such a company through Google. TPIS seems to make a similar product though.

in short, it has been pretty frustrating and a little insulting in the quest for bolt-ons. i mean, LS1's are great, but they arent the only game in town, Summit, SLP, Jegs...

 

I feel your pain. But there are some very distinct reasons why TPI parts are harder to come by then Mustang parts and LS1 stuff. The #1 reason is that TPI represents a very small segment of the total production. It wasn't like the 5.0 Mustang or the LS1's were EVERY V8 was pretty much the same.

You can find parts but you've got to dig a bit. Honestly you don't want SLP parts even if you can find them. They were overpriced junk when new, and now they're collectors items. AS&M is Arizona Speed and Marine. But get ready to put a dent in your wallet. You can get the same runners from TPIS for another $50-75. You can find a price for the Dyno Don headers here http://www.top-downsolutions.com/pro...roducts_id=170 Again hold onto your wallet, we go for ride.

But the bottom line is that building a TPI for performance, you're pretty much screwed from the start. If it were me, I'd try to enjoy the car the way it is. Once you start modifying you can't really go back, and an original car is only original once.

 

I disagree respectfully. You can get performance, but it takes a little more digging around and some innovating on your part. I currently have a first fuel injection complete intake. It is exactly like the stock system only larger. It uses all the stock sensors and just plain works. You just have to select the parts for your longblock for which there is plenty of stuff. Heads and cam are limitless, so basically the only issues are the intake and ecu to run everything. I just installed longtube stainless works headers from hawks and had a muffler shop custom fab a dual exhaust. As for keeping it original, that goes against the whole reason for enjoying the car hobby. We are never satisfied with our cars as is and always look for more, whether it's performance or appearance. Keep searching, there are plenty of solutions.

 

crap there is enough parts to build a high HP TBI engine in jegs and summit and still use the pro-jection style TBI

it does take alot of leg work.....or finger work in the days of the internet

good luck with your project

 

thanks for the link. very helpful.

i'm not going to "destroy" the car. i do want to improve some things that can be improved to make the car more fun to drive. but it's still going to look exactly like an '89 Formula 350.

 

Getting parts for a third gen F body isn't nearly as bad as getting parts for that old 73 chevelle I used to have. There was nothing! Headers were all that there was.

I ran tubular shorty headers on my 92 camaro and I would not recommend changing over to tubular shorties for two reasons.

1 they put alot more heat in the engine bay. After I put mine on it ran hot all the time. This is partly due to the factory exhaust pipe that runs under the oil pan!!! If you are gonna run headers they should be ceramic coated. The Y pipe should be coated also.

2 The power gain for tubular shorties is very minimal.

If you are going to run headers get the long tube coated ones. If not I would have the exhaust manifolds extrude honed.

TPI won't make enough high rpm torque to justify the flow of headers anyway.

I'm not discouraging you. Thats just my .