I am wondering if the 89 formula ever came with the option of having 15 inch regular firebird wheels? I thought they all had the 16x8 but mine has 15x7 and they dont have the beadlock look on them. Were they probly switched?

 

The 16x8 aluminum wheels were the standard and only wheel size available for the Formula from 1987-1992. The 87s offered N96s, 88s had both N96s and PE0s, and the 89s offered only PE0s I think. In 1990 or 1991 (okfoz you out there?), you could get the PW7 crosslace GTA style 16x8s as an option. But throughout 87-92, 16x8 was the only wheel size you could get with the Formula. Sounds like yours were switched out.

 

yeah thats what I'm thinking. I dont even think the car looks right with no ground effects and the gaps under the wheel wells

 

are these 16x8 wheels with the beadlock around the edges? I cannot tell from the pic

 

yes sir, they are.

 

Just to add a tidbit of info that I have not mentioned above: for '92 Formulas with the L98 motor, the black crosslace GTA style wheels were standard.

 

I'm looking for the 16x8 4 slot concave rims.....I have one that keeps leaking air, must be the rim. Brand new rubber on and all. Any ideas where to get these rims or can the old one be fixed? I took the rim and tire back and they supposedly sealed it. Wondering what the best option is at this point without breakin' the bank......

 

Had to have T-tops also.

 

1) All Formulas had the 16x 8 wheels Since ALL formulas have WS6 and the 16" rim was a part of the package from 85-92 therefore all formulas got 16" rims.

1987 - The flat style WS6 rim that was used from 85-87 on Trans Am's as well
1988-1992 the Dished style WS6 rim like you have pictured above, with the little allen head screws on the bead.
Late 1991 & 1992 The BLACK cross laced rims were an option, it did NOT require any other option on the Formula. HOWEVER, in order to get T-tops with a 350 you needed to order the Black Cross laced wheels on a Formula.

John

 

Thats some good info!

 

Thanks for the extra details, guys. I hadn't been aware that the t-tops factored into the stock wheels for the '92s 350 Formulas.

 

The T-top 350 thing in 1991 & 1992 is the absolute oddest thing. Its not like some obscure accident that allowed you to order the car with T-tops. Its in plain english on the Dealer order sheet, something to the effect "L98 is only available on Formula with Black PW7 Wheels". It might even be in other dealer Lit, but I have not looked lately.

Kinda cool really.

 

Please PM me with some info, I paid you and have had no contact from you???

 

Anyone have any info on this guy? Please don't buy from him, he took me for a ride.

 

Lives in Jacksonville FL... he is 19, at least thats what he claims.

John

 

the wheels on the 87 Formula's were first available on the 84 15th Anniversary Trans Am's.

 

just to clear any confusion that might arise, those little allen looking screws are not "bead locks". a bead lock wheel is a wheel where you can actualy unscrew the bead of the wheel (or in some casses one entire half) and remove/replace your own rubber, then bolt them back together. they are for truck/offroad application as you can havee a total flat and not roll off the bead. and trucks like to air down to like 4PSI for rock crawwling and such.

they do look kinda beadlock inspired though huh? i just did not want any missinformation on TGO

 

This guy 92Forumla is a crook, he was online 2 days ago and will not respond to my PM's. Does anyone know who this person is?

 

It's interesting that even the Formula came with 16" wheels.Another of Pontiac's better engineering/packaging ideas over Chevrolet's.15" wheels were standard on the IROC in '88 after it became it's own model,a bit of cost cutting on the bean counter's behalf perhaps.It's an irony that in '85 16" wheels were part of RPO B4Z.

IronDuke sorry to hear of your unfortunate dealings.

 

coolram62,
It seems that most people have a hard time with the concept that the Firebired was a step up from the Camaro. Pontiac typically is one step above Chevrolet in their design and market positioning.

For many things that were an option even on the IROC they would e standard on a Firebird. In this case the 16" rims, or the legendary G92 axel. On the IROC it was an option, but on the GTA, and Formula it was standard equipment for the LB9/MM5 and the L98 cars.

Its not that one car is Better or worse than another, it's all about how the car is marketed and designed. Living in Flint, MI gives me a vast opportunity to speak to engeneers and designers for cars. Even though cars might come off the same line, and they look almost identical there are small differences. Even the tires that came on our cars were not avialable outside of GM, the name and the model of the tires might be the same but GM makes a spec, the Tire companies supply a tire that is similar, and then GM tweeks the tire to their liking. When your buying Millions of tires you can do these things.

Its all about how the engeneers want to design the cars, what people want, and the bottom dollar.

John