A guy I know just got a white Formula 350 w/28K original miles on it, for $5K. It is in the mintiest shape ever.Clean as a...well, I don't really know what to compare it with.
The funny thing is, it has a 305-type air silencer thing. I mean, the 350s had those larger, ribbed, more profound pieces. Did 91 350s come w/305 air ducts.
Also, as far as I remember, did not the 350s have different collor fuel injecters?
The vin# checks out as a 350.(1G2FS2387M1224215)
Also, could a Formula or a Formula 350 be ordered w/out the door decals?
My question is: How can you tell if it's a 305 or a 350, by visual inspection of the engine bay?
The reason I ask, is because I'm not sure what kind of engine I have. I know, mine is a 5/speed and it should be a 305 but I have doubts do to dyno tests and other reasons.
Please.How do you tell an engine(305/350) by visual inspection?
Thanks

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1990 Formula
Factory:TPI-305/Dual Cat(230hp),5 Speed,3.42 rear.
Dealer instaled:Aluminum Drive Shaft
Mods:SLP air foil,K&N Filter, Accel:wires,coil cap,rotor.Hypertech Thermomaster chip,Stat,Fan switch,TES headers,MSD6AL,AFPR(50), Harwood fiberglass hood,Original GM "Notchback GTA" hatch.
Flowmaster 3" Cat-back exhaust,TB coolant bypass,B&M Ripper shifter, Centerforce dual friction clutch, Ported Plenum (???HP)
DIRECT LINK TO PICS OF MY CAR. NO WEB-PAGE. http://community-2.webtv.net/MZavraz...A90/page9.html

 

The intake setup, injectors, etc are goign to look the same, 305 or 350. All Formulas have Formula badges on the doors. The only way to tell one small block from another is the casting numbers.

 

The 8th digit of the VIN# indicates that originally the engine was a 350. You could also look for the SPID sticker on the back of the lid on the locking box in the rear hatch. Look for L98 and B2L.

But this only confirms what originally came with the car, not what is necessarily in the car. If you look for the serial number on the engine; if it has the same last 6 digits and the VIN#, then it is the original numbers matching motor.

The VIN Derivative (that has the last 6 digits the same as the VIN) is in the back driver's side of the block above the oil filter.