Hope someone can help.Have a 89 firebird.Title from gm says under model firebird formula. Trying to figure out if it is. Doesnt have the formula decals or hood. The original elderly woman that I bought the car from ordered the vehicle because she wanted a v-8.Has all power options including power sport mirrors. t tops etc.Also has rear defrost on back hatch with the original hatch strutswith defrost hookup but no defrost switch. Asked her was it the original hatch and she said yes so it was never replaced. Any Ideas?

 

i had an 89 Formula once before.......it came with the 305 TPI motor and was a coupe model.....had the following options in it.....power windows,sport mirrors, cruise,tilt,rear defrost, WS6 Performance package, 16 inch wheels and 245-50-16 tires, bulge hood with 5.0 liter FI on it and Formula decals on doors and bumpers........if its got a TBI motor in it then its probably a regular firebird model....i have owned 9 birds so far and seems like only formulas/trans ams had the TPI motors in them unless someone did a swap out on it which is becoming routine for alot of guys to do but if its an original owner car and has TPI then id say u got a Formula model...if its TBI then its a regular bird.......hope that helps you out some.......

 

chitowncruiser, i regret to inform you that the information you gave is incorrect. There were many formulas built with the 305 tbi. I happen to own one of them. You are right about the other things though. the ws-6 package, the power-bulge hood, the decals and the spoiler.



njamerson, do you still have the rpo codes in the glove-box?

 

no rpo sticker inside console

 

I don't think the Formula was available without the power bulge hood, was it? Base Firebirds were available with V8's, so i'm thinking it's maybe a typographical error on the title. Am I mistaken, or do the Firebird and the Formula share the same RPO code? If so, that might explain the mixup.

 

Another clue would be to check the spoiler....is it the kind that wraps around the hatch glass, or is it the flat, straight kind?

 

flat straight

 

Then my guess is that it's a base model Firebird and not a Formula. There must have been some confusion when they typed up the title....for instance, my '83 T/A is listed as a "Firebird" on my title. The odd thing is how you bought the car off the original owner & it's the GM title you are referring to.

The Formula package would've come with 16" wheels, the wraparound spoiler, the powerbulge hood, the WS6 performance suspension, and some other options that other people on these boards are more qualified to explain than I am. It still sounds like it's a good car though, especially if it's got a V8 in it. Have any pics?

 

An 89 Formula would have the bulge hood, wrap around wing, 16" wheels, WS6, V8 (any V8), etc... A base firebird would have 15" wheels, FE1 or F41, the flat wing, flat hood, and TBI or a 2.8L V6.

The VIN won't differentiate the two since the Formula package was optional on the base firebird.

 

I beg to differ with you guys...I own an 87' Formula and it has a flat straight spoiler on the rear hatch. It has power windows, mirrors, and rear hatch; also has the power bulge hood. My RPO codes even confirm that it is a Formula. 305 5.0L V-8 TPI WS6 16" wheels and 245 50 ZR16 Tires. I have included a picture below:

 

Forgot another little detail...All the decals that say formula on them, including the bird decal, are gone becasue the person who owned it before myself put a new paint job on it.

 

Hey BradKeith.............am sorry about some of that info, was going off of my own experiences with Trans Ams and Formulas....im on my 9th one so far and all have had the 305 TPI set up in them....have never seen one with TBI yet..... and as in with these cars its always a learning experience with em........someday i'll be as good as you....:hail: :hail:

 

87daddyformula, I would venture to say that since the previous owner repainted it, he also swapped the rear spoiler. Especially with the problems that the aero spoilers are prone to. My 87 Formula has the aero spoiler.

Mark

 

Thanks for all input everyone.will try phs and see if i can get rpo codes.Have the original window sticker. has standard equip. on left side right side options installed by manufacturer-option package #2 body side molding lamp group,4 way manual seat,cruise control,rear lid rel-remote,power windows,power door locks,mirror w/dual reading lamps,power mirrors,package savings -$1400.00 value package savings $1052.00 t-top roof fm stereo cassette package savings -$250.00 air conditioning custom automatic transmission 4-spped 5.0 liter tbfi v-8 engine,cargo security screen optional package savings -$1650.00 total options $2064.00 total vehicle price 14,502.00

 

The VIN should tell if it is a firebird or a Trans Am/Formula

IIRC the TransAm/Formula shared the same Body Vin Code
Where as the firebird had a different letter.


Take your VIN and put it into the decoder on the site, that should tell you.

It should look like this

Here are the results for your query on: 1G2FW23E2NL555555
Made in: United States
Manufacturer: General Motors
Make: Pontiac
Carline Code: F-Body
Carline Series: Trans Am, Formula
Body Type: 2 door coupe (hatchback)
Restraint System: Manual belts (driver inflatable)
Engine Code: 305 ci V8 L03 (1988-1992)
2 is the CHECK DIGIT
Model Year: 1992
Assembly Plant: Van Nuys
Production Sequence: 555555


Disregard the rest you are interested in the 5th digit of the VIN it should be a W for a Formula and a S for firebird.

 

That's not entirely accurate. The formula option was just that, an option on the base firebird. The vin for a Firebird and the vin from a Formula won't be different in that respect. The Trans Am was its own unique model.

 

The Formula RPO is W66.

Peace

 

I just took a look at the Formula Sources website

http://www.theformulasource.com/build/3vin.shtml

and the 5th digit for a Formula is an S

Guess the sites decoder is wrong?

Ya it would be RPO like GTA is just an RPO option on a Trans Am

And the Early IROC's an option on the Z28 (85-87?)

 

If it was a Formula, it would have Formula Conversion Package listed on the window sticker.

You might take a look for the build sheet under the drivers seat for the RPOs. If it isn't there, try the dealer first then PHS.

Odd to have a rear defroster and no button; should be near the rear hatch release.

 

my 88 formula had the regular base model spoiler also, however, i think someone had changed the whole rear hatch for some reason.

 

I think Formula's could be had with the straight spoiler, but all should have 16" wheels and a performance suspension badge on the passenger side of the dash. I'm not sure about the hood.

 

The following applies to ALL thirdgen formula's.

Aerowing
bulge hood
WS6
V8
NO GROUND EFFECTS

No exceptions.

 

LOL, i'm not that good, just a 3rd gen camaro/firebird afficiando. Camaro's are my specialty. I was sure that the early first year formulas 87 could be had with the base flat spoiler, but drew set me straight on that.

by the way... I :hail: u for the tpi, I can only dream

 

Drew is absolutely right about what constitutes a Formula. No Exceptions.

Doesnt anyone else find it odd that his hatch glass has a defroster grid, yet the car has no defroster button? Its because that particular hatch didnt come on that car from the factory. And the decals fall under the general rule for car parts of any kind. If you can't see it, its as good as not there, and never was there. Wheels and a hood are easy to swap as well. And a performance suspension badge means dick as well. I saw a base Firebird with a 2.8 V6 with that badge.