Dreuven1

Hi im new to this sight but recently i have just spent numerous hours online gathering info on third gens when i realized i wasnt the only one. Anyway im 17 and have been working on a project firebird all summer with my father who is a mechanic and while it is still not complete i was wondering if anyone has a similar car set up as mine because ive have not seen one yet my 1987 Pontiac Formula has The performance suspension package, T Tops, 10 bolt Posi, 5 speed manual transmission, and the engine is what really throws me off it required a lot of work to be brought back in the condition it is now and just assumed it was a 305 but we checked it out and it is indead i 350 tuned Port injection engine along with Dual outlet. Also my car is basically at the point now where its what do i wanna do with it it is primed in flat black waiting for a paint job i was thinking of finding a very unique shiny black paint give it muliple coats make a custom stencil for the Formula on the side and paint all emblems and stickers blue with a dark blue tint black out taillights and black GTA rims Any suggestions or comments?

-Thanks Dan

TAdan

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=233781

Dreuven1

Mmmhhh alright well then consideing i dont know to far back about the cars history ill just have to assume that it is not stock however none the less it is and is most definatly a 350 Tpi with a factory T5 transmission and im not gonna lie i dont have to much expierence with driving manual so im not one to criticize but this car is very difficult to drive but i did put on a new heavy duty clutch so it shold hopefully handle a bit better

Dreuven1

And i forgot to say i am not attempting to be argumentative or stubborn about the fact that its not stock but the stickers on the car which im assuming have been there since the begining since they have basically faded equally to the paint said Formula 350

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

There is no such thing as a factory 350/5-speed car. Period.

Either the motor isn't a 350 (highly likely); or if it is, it's been swapped in; or if it was an original 350 car (VIN 8) then the 5-speed was swapped in.

Get the casting number off the block, and the 8th digit of the VIN. All else about the motor besides block casting numbers is BS and not to be trusted. Then if it really was a 350 car (VIN 8), pop the console, and see if the shifter hole was hacked out of the floor.

Everybody, but especially Firebird owners it seems ever since the car was introduced, would like to think that (a) their car is "rare" and (b) that being "rare" means that it's therefore desirable somehow to other people. It is best to resist this tendency unless one has proof.

okfoz

I think the first thing we must know is what is your VIN, that will answer many questions.

THe 350 and M5 were never mated fomr 87-92 they just were not. THe M5 was not strong enough.

For the most part the only way to get T-tops with a Formula was to order an LG4 (4bbl), a 305TPI/A4 with drum brakes. or a 305 TPI/M5. Otherwise they would not normally do it for the Formula.

For some strange reason in 1987 & 88 T-tops was not available on an Autmatic 305 TPI FORMULA with 4 wheel disc brakes.

John

Dreuven1

The computer i am on now is from my house and the firebird is at my dads garage i will check the VIN tommorw if i am able to go buy but i dont wanna claim that it is something it is not but just for clarification purposes it is most definatly a 350 TPI with some sort of five speed manual Trans after reading all the other statements i will just assume that one or the other was placed in most likely the 350 block id say becuase who ever could have just swapped the block and put on the same intake anyway though im assuming there is some way to take advantadge of the fact of this rare occurance and was wondering where you guys think on should begin with the performance upgrades as of right now the only thigs i have done are.... New Clutch, aluminum driveshaft, two new headlight motors, new pistons (first ordered 305 then had to exchange for 350). a old 10 bolt rear from a junkyard i hear the stock 10 bolt on F bodys are ****ty i was thinking about maybe starting at traction and purchase some newer traction bars but i am not sure what do you all think?

Klortho

You will end up with more in the rear end by going with a larger 10 bolt (8.5 ring gear) because they don't have the setup for the torque arm or panhard rod. Best thing to do if you don't want to spend alot and have a stronger rear, find someone with a 9 bolt rear and put a set of gears in it since the 3.45 gear is hard to find with the 9 bolt, most will be 3.27's, and you will also have rear disc brakes which is a plus as well.