Looking at 92 Formula

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Jul 5, 2010 | 08:14 AM

ZZR12

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Looking at 92 Formula

I'm new to this forum, so i'm sorry if this is the wrong place for this question. I found a 92 Formula Firebird for sale, one owner 77,000 original miles. It's at a dealer and what I want to know is it a TPI or TBI. The dealer says come down and take a look, but I only want it if it's a TPI, the VIN#1G2FS23E7NL216171. I've looked here and on the net and can't seem to find the answer, can anyone help?

Jul 5, 2010 | 08:48 AM

Dante93GTZ

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From: East Tennessee

Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition

Engine: L98

Transmission: T56

Axle/Gears: 3.23:1

Re: Looking at 92 Formula

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZR12

TBI - TPI would have the 8th digit either F (305) or 8 (350); I still can't figure out why they would build that. They did some wierd engine combos on supposed performance cars in that era.

Jul 5, 2010 | 12:02 PM

AmorgetRS

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From: Near Seattle, WA

Re: Looking at 92 Formula

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante93GTZ

TBI - TPI would have the 8th digit either F (305) or 8 (350); I still can't figure out why they would build that. They did some wierd engine combos on supposed performance cars in that era.

TBI/LG4 was the base motor in the Formula, not really odd at all.

Jul 5, 2010 | 12:13 PM

Zepher

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From: Norfolk, VA. USA

Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula

Engine: 95LT4, 305TPI

Transmission: T56, T5

Re: Looking at 92 Formula

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmorgetRS

TBI/LG4 was the base motor in the Formula, not really odd at all.

TPI 305 would have been the base motor if I were in charge.

Jul 7, 2010 | 07:15 AM

okfoz

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Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 14,293

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From: Doghouse ······································ Car: 1989 Formula 350 Vert Engine: 350 L98 Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: B&W 3.27

Car: 87 Formula T-Top, 87 Formula HT

Engine: 5.1L TPI, 5.0L TPI

Transmission: 700R4, M5

Axle/Gears: Sag 3.73, B&W 3.45

Re: Looking at 92 Formula

GM positioned the cars accordingly from 1990 - 1992

FIREBIRD - V6(S), L03(O)
FORMULA - L03(S), LB9(O), L98(O)
TRANS AM - LB9(S), L98(O)
GTA - L98(S), LB9(S)

Key:
L03 - 305 TBI V8
LB9 - 305 TPI V8
L98 - 350 TPI V8

Jul 7, 2010 | 10:08 AM

Jason E

2011 Norwood Gathering
ThirdGen Firebird Rep

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 3,435

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From: Sarasota FL

Car: 99 WS6 / 00 SS / 11 CTS-V / 13 300

Engine: LS1 / LS1 / LSA / 5.7 Hemi

Transmission: 4L60E / T-56 / 6L80E / W5A80

Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.42 Auburn / 3.23 / 2.62

Re: Looking at 92 Formula

The TBI begins to get ok when being modded, but stock with an AT its painful. After significant bolt ons to my RS, with an M5, its starting to feel better but its still not anything I'd consider fast.

I passed up a beautiful, original 30k mile '88 Formula for $6k this past Spring because of the TBI...that's how much I personally do not like it. An LO3/A4 car is about as slow as it gets in our world....