Looking to buy a 1988 Formula and if it has the 5.0 LITER F.I. decals on the bulge hood,does that automatically mean it is a tune port?
May be a stupid and dumb newbie question,but new to the world of 80's GM powerplants.

 

Easiest way, pop the hood and see if it has an air cleaner like a carb car would. If it does, then it's TBI, TPI looks like a big octopus sitting on top of the motor.

 

would be nice but the car is 300 miles away.
what i am asking is the FI on the hood indicate TPI only or both tpi/tbi

 

Check the vin number for the engine type . If he eigth number or letter is "F" or "8" it is a TPI anything else it is TBI.

 

thanks.that helps alot

 

When looking at purchasing any used car, you can not go by decals, emblems, body style, ground effects, interior trim, etc, to 100% determine what type of engine/drivetrain the car has. While it might give good clues and more than likely be correct, anything can happen when cars go through previous owners. Even the VIN will only tell you what it originally had.

Putting all the clues together might get you 99% sure, but I would want to see the engine for the last 1% before handing over the cheque.

I'm writing this not particularily for LoganTA, but for any prospective buyer.
Take a look at ads in places like http://www.autotrader.com , etc. For example, at any time you will find at least a 1/2 dozen ads for F-Bodys with "original" 350's (5.7L) engines and yet the car has a 5-spd or it's a convertible, or the VIN's eight digit is an "F" for a 5.0L!!!
I've seen . . .
- Pics of cars with "5.7" on the rear bumper and an "F" or even an "E" or an "H"!!
- IrocZ decals on pre-'87 Camaros.
- SPIDs (the RPO list decal in the console) with a different VIN than what's on the car.

Like Ronald Reagan said, "Trust but verify".

 

thanks for the long reply and yes,you must check the car out completely.Being 38 makes one wise when buying cars from years of experience.
and this one is a one owner,unmolested virgin.I bought it today.I went thru about 20-30 cars before I found this one and talked to the older gentleman for days ,back and forth about it.
Only thing we came up with is it has 15 inch ws6 style rims and the spec sheet says 16.He bought it new and the rims have never been changed.Close I can guess is someone bought a regular bird and wanted Formula rims and the dealership changed them out and the unsuspecting guy bought this one now knowing at the time it had regular rims.
But i have read and read on here and other sites about the rpo codes,spec ident codes etc to make sure I was buying a formula and it has the right parts etc cause other thna some minor items,it will stay stock

 

I hate to burst iroctopless's bubble but the irocz came out in 85 and had the irocz decals. Not 1987. anywho, From my experience it would most likely have the L03 TBI 305 Vin E. Most TPI Camaro's and firebirds said Tuned Port Fuel Injection on them, not 5.0L F.I. But that doesn't mean someone didn't put a 350 in it.

 

No bubble burst. Thanks for pointing out my typo!
My brain and my fingers were thinking differently.
I'd go back and edit it, but then our posts wouldn't make any sense.

 

Unfortunatley from 1988 thru 1990 ALL 5.0 Formuals have 5.0 Liter F.I. On the Hood scoop Only 1987, 1991 & 1992 was there a 5.0 Liter Decal available and was used with the LG4 (1987) or LO3 (1991 & 1992)

Therefore:
1987
LG4 - 5.0 Liter
LB9 - 5.0 Liter F.I.
L98 - Nothing

1988 - 1990
LO3 - 5.0 Liter F.I.
LB9 - 5.0 Liter F.I.
L98 - Nothing

1991 & 1992
LO3 - 5.0 Liter
LB9 - 5.0 Liter F.I.
L98 - 5.7 Liter F.I.

John