Hey guys-just picked up a Firebird tonight. Probably for parts, front end is twisted up fairly good. But the reason I'm posting is because of the info the seller told me about the car.
First off he had it listed as a Formula, but the car has ground effects so I'm guessing its not. Also, he said it originally had a 350 that went bad so he put in a V6. Now the 8th digit is an S. What engine has an S for the 8th digit? I'm just kind of curious since the stuff he told me doesnt make much sense. Here's a pic of the 'Bird it all its glory:

 

S = LB8 = 2.8 Liter MPFI V6

 

Now what did I do with my flashlight? oh, here it is

 

Yeah that stuff about the 350 sounds like complete bs to me.

He probably just stuck the GFX on there, and he really doesnt sound like he has any idea what he's talking about.

 

..

 

How did you do that??? thats crazy cool

 

LOL, that must be a pretty good flashlight. Whats its range? A couple thousand miles?

S means V6 huh? I had a feeling he was yankin my chain about the 350. Everything in the engine bay looks way too clean like it came from the factory. Now I just need to see if it runs. Thanks for the help guys.

 

1) 3rd gen formulas NEVEr came with gfx, not even with option
2) Formulas never came with a V6
3) those are 15" rims on there, and once again not available with the formie.
4) They are correct S=V6 "LB8" I believe...

Why in heavens sake would anyone pull a 350, convert the wire harness, and plop in a V6??? definately a line.

82recarota... trying to figure out your post.

John

 

Lol, 82 Recaro's post was a joke

Heinz edition...as in Ketchup...

I thought it was funny.

If I had a nickel for every 91/92 Sport Appearance package bird Ive seen that the owner or previous owner claimed was a "special ordered Formula" Id be a rich man.

 

I'll bet money that the car pictured is a 89 firebird after analyzing my research.I have concluded that most of the V6 1989/1990 firebirds I have seen have the 85-90 ta/gta ground efx,I think it was new option in late 89.I had a base '90 firebird with a V8 and it had the base body no grnd efx.

 

Photoshop CS/8.0 has a tool called shadow/highlight. as you can see it works just like a nice big flashlight

I thought it would be easier to talk about the car if we could see it a little better, and I was curious what it looked like anyway

 

Your correct about 89-90 having alot of base firebirds with ground effects. The difference between the T/A and the ground effects package is the T/A got its special hood, and the T/A got the wrap around spoiler. Other than that the base firebird looked almost identical to an 85 T/A, less the hood of course.

John

 

It was due to insurance reasons!
Pontiac was starting to have trouble with people buying the Trans Am, with the car insurance going way high! Imagine what the insurance companies were changing for the V-6 Turbo powered Trans Am! Higher than the Vette! I know, I bought mine new! The vette was rated a 9, while the 20th TTA was rated 11! The GTA/Trans Am/IROC-Z was rated a 7!
So, Pontiac brought out the Firebird with the V-6 engine, and the Trans Am style Sport Apearance package! This was so people could have a car that looked like a Trans Am, but have the mileage and insurance of a regular Firebird.
To help sell it at first, it was brought out to 3 areas. Los Angeles (as the Firebird XS), Sacramento ( as the Firebird SSA), and Denver (which I've never found out if anything special was used).
After awhile, sales took off, and these names were dropped.
Later, the V-8 engine was added, around 1991!
Funny how everyone calls a car with the turbo-budge or an aero kit, a Formula! Just like the first gen Firebird 400s! Everyone calls them Formulas! Formulas didn't come out until the 1970 year second gen!

Hope this helps,

George

 

ohh the technology these days

 

#'s 1, 2, and 3 are what I've always thought were true about Formulas. I'm assuming they all had the word "Formula" on the doors right?....meaning it wasnt an option to have them left off. And all Formulas had the hood bulge as well....?

 

correct, I have never seen an all stock 3rd gen Formula without the "Formula " door decals. not saying its not possible as the Firehawk did not have "Formula" Many of the Firehawks had no door decals. I like the decals tho...

Yes all 3rd gen Formulas had the powerbuldge, no exceptions to my knowledge.

John

George, 3rd Gen Formulas don't have aero kits, all they had was the aero spoiler. For that matter, I thought the 2nd gens and 4th gens were the same, basically a Firebird, some years different hood, but never with ground effects.

Unless of course your reference to the "Aero Kit" is something other than what I am thinking.

I get people calling my car a "Trans Am" more than anything on my Formulas. Its probably a regional or local misonception.

John

 

when you pull the instrument gauge cluster, it will have a sticker on it that says 6-cyl for v6s and 8 cyl for a v8,

 

Hi John!
I was talking about the thirdgens, when I said Aero kit!
Our '91 Firebird with the Sport Appearance package is always called a Formula by everyone we meet! Well, except by the Firebird owners who know better! Since our move here, we even had 3 Camaro owners (all thirdgen owners) tell us we have a nice Formula!
I too, have seen regular Firebirds with the owners having installed the powerbudge hood, have their car called a Formula! Even though they are early thirdgens! Or, still have the regular 15 inch Firebird wheels!
My point was, it's kinda funny.

Later,

George

 

TADan had it right. It was meant as a joke, as in Heinz 57. Same with the "GFX upgrade available with the Half Engine Option." The right smilie just wasn't working when I posted.

 

The reason they call them Formulas is because all V8 Firebirds from 87-on are titled as Formulas. My 91 Base LO3 Firebird (No GFX but my friends 91 V8 has the GFX) is Titled as a formula for Insurance purposes. A real Formula is titled as Formula Firebird, where the V8 Base cars are titled as Firebird/Formula.

Very confusing!!

 

This true same thing on my old 90 firebird's title.

 

I get it!!.heinz 57= mixed breed and such.As in a "mutt".This car kind of looks like my Z when I trailered it home in 1994.Gotta love those orphan cars!....BILL

 

I am not sure if that is 100% correct, From what I have seen only 91-92 V8 Firebirds got the "Firebird/Formu" on the title. Here in Mi, it was too long, and they had to cut it off.

My 87 Formula's title does not even state "Formula" only Firebird...

And yes I know its a true Formula because the matching RPO sheet tells me, not to mention it has the original hood, & rear hatch.

Here is the one with the "F" engine my "H" engine car would be little help.

been having problems iwth attachments lately

John

 

theres the chance that its a ssa or xs if the vins comin up wird. i dont think its a very big chance since only about a respecitlble 1500 of thoes were made during the middle of 89