Hey Guys,

I have at my disposal a 1988 formula with a TPI 350 in it. I am pretty sure that I have the L98 motor. It is a 4 speed automatic, and it doesnt have t-tops. I bought it for 700 dollars... I know I was dumb. It is virtually rustless, except for some surface rust on the passenger door. It has brand new trans am fenders on it.

It needs quite a bit. I need to get some headlight assemblies and I need to either get a new hood or fix the one that is on it now. It is a little rusted on the inside... is that ok.. see the pic and tell me if the dent is fixable. It could use a new nose too.

It needs tires and rims and it needs an interior. The interior in it now is very bad. The motor smokes bad when you first start it, and when you are reving it and stuff. I think that it is just valve seals, but im not sure. It could also be rings.

Some retard made the exhaust. It is a single big pipe. The exhaust is in good shape besides being homemade. It has a charging problem, and its not the altenator or battery. Both are new. It obviously needs a paint job too.

I have also a 1989 2.8L v6 which ONLY needs a heater core, rust work, and paint. It has t-tops and a power hatch release. I need opinions please. Which do i keep? do i use the 2.8 to fix the formula? Does the formula need to be rewired? do i keep the formy for a future project, or do i sell it for 600?

I am 16 and in highschool. I make 60 dollars a week right now, but once football is over i will be making 120 a week. Thanks for your opinions.

here is another pic

I'd Keep it. I'm 17 and started off with a 2.8 89 RS when I turned 16 and a couple weeks ago I bought an 87 Z that I switched to my project instead, I also got it for $700. I'd keep the 2.8 until you can get the Formula running right. You can go to my site for more info on either car.

Looks good to me, I don't see anything that's not fixable on it besides the wheels, which just need to be replaced...

How costly would it be to completely rebuild that motor? I was reving it today, and smoke was comming through the shifter hole because i dont have a shift place. Also, it doesnt really smoke when i start it... just when i reve the motor... The car shakes a bit too.... like visibly... the hood moves. Is this normal? the motor sounds like it nocks when i rev it too... is this an easy fix? Could the smoke comming inside be an exhaust leak?

The shaking body when you rev the motor could be worn motor mounts. Depending on where you get the rebuild done or if you do it yourself it could be around 700 - $2000. When I bought my 87 Z it came with the receipt of the rebuild that the engine had and it was $2300. It was rebuilt only 30k miles ago and it bent a rod, most likely because the rebuilder didnt' put the lifter retainers in it and the guy over reved it. He would have been better off buying a crate engine, would have been less if he did the work himself.

so basically i keep the 2.8 and wait on the formy...

That's what I would do and that's what I wish I did do with the RS I had. Instead i get stuck driving a 86 Le Baron.

A buddy of mine is selling an 84 trans am which SUPPOSEDLY has a 350 in it that has been dropped in... they didnt have 350's that year, only 305's... all the car needs is a windsheield and one side needs to be painted from a guardrail... 1000 dollars.... is it worth it? ill try and get pics...

1989 2.8L Bird,

I see that you're from Charlestown, NH. I'm from just over the bridge in Springfield. What do you need for parts? I may be able to dig some stuff up for you. I have an '88 Formula also.....305 though......