I found a really nice 88 Formula, the car now has torque thrust 2 wheels, but here is a picture of it. http://www.iowaauto.com/p/hawkdon/04.sso.jpg

My question is, what engine does this car have? Is it a L03 or is it the LB9. The car is a 5spd, and on the power buldge, it says 5.0 liter F.I.

I am hopeing that i can trade my 94 Z28 for this Formula, and get some cash back, but i doubt a dealer will want to give cash back. IF they won't do that, I will try trading my oldsmobile for this, and then selling the Z to help pay for it. The Z28 is a nice car that only comes out on the weekends, and the olds is my daily driver. I need a car that I don't have to worry about putting mileage on, and that looks nice, I am a GM Technician going to ASEP school, and at this time of my life I don't need the 94, This way I could save myself some money on insurance.

 

Easiest way is to call the dealer, and ask them for the VIN # or check it yourself. 8th digit is the engine code.

'8' = 350 TPI
'F' = 305 TPI

And TBI guys help me out, I'm pretty sure 'E' = 305 TBI.

Since you're there, pop the hood. If it has an air cleaner than looks like a normal carbed car, it's a TBI engine. If it's TPI you'll know, nowhere under the hood is anything that looks like a carb.


HTH

 

I first saw the car on Sunday, the dealer was closed, and i was almost positive the car was a tuned port, until i got home and came on here, and noticed that there are formulas with the tbi engine. I am heading back over there once I am off work to check, but I am just terribly impatient, and hoping that someone may know, thinking the sticker on the buldge might be able to help.

 

I'm not really positive-but-I think in 88 the F.I sticker on the hood meant it was a tbi car-again-not that sure. Although I had an 89 formula w/tpi the hood didn't say it was F.I--so maybe it was the same in 88.

 

You are correct with that... I have one

 

ok here is the low down on it... it needs paint, no rust anywhere, really rare for around here. The interior is in really good shape.
The kicker....
Someone ripped the tbi off the car, and threw a carb on it, and it has 196,000 miles. they want 4 grand. Or a even trade for my 94, ummm no.

 

That's a bit much for a car like that! Maybe $1200-$1500 tops imo.

 

yeah way too much money for that.

 

Did you ask him where the other car that comes in the deal was?

 

no, I would definately say walk away, scratch that RUN. they are asking way too much, Is that 196,000 or 19,600 miles on that anyway.

go here:
www.kbb.com
www.nada.com
www.edmunds.com

that will give you a good idea about the value.

AS for the hood and 5.0L F.I.
87-92 (F) 5.0 Liter F.I.
87 (H) 5.0 Liter
88-90 (E) 5.0 Liter F.I.
91-92 (E) 5.0 Liter
91-92 (8) 5.7 Liter F.I.

so it should be the correct decal.

 

i am looking for another decent thirdgen that is a stick, preferrbly a tuned port, but not required, and I found this thing, looks really sharp with the torque thrust 2's on it, but i don't want another project. I already have the 86, I need something that I can drive. So all in all, i gave up on the Formula, still in search of a nice thirdgen thats a stick

 

On Camaros, it would say "Tuned Port Injection" on the rear bumper if it had a TPI 305/350.

Take a look for that. I'm just assuming its the same for Firebirds.. it may not be.

 

On firebirds it varys, in some cases there is no exterior identifying marks indicating whether or not it had TPI or not (the formula is an excellent example).

The best (only) way to be 100% sure what engine a car came with is to look at the vin. 8th didget

1985 & UP I believe are the following:
8 = 350 TPI (87+)
F = 305 TPI (85+)
E = 305 TBI (88+)
G = 305 4BBL HO (82-86)
H = 305 4BBL (82-87)
S = 2.8L V6 (??-89)
T = 3.1L V6 (90+)

hope that helps...

BTW, look for a TPI 5 Speed, it will be worth the wait.

John