I was checking my vin vs the decoder and my car is supposed to be a 1989 Formula 350 t-tops the problem is when i checked it the vin decoder for the 5th digit and it is an S firebird not W formula but the 8th digit in my vin is an 8 the l98 5.7 350 and as far as I can tell they only put 5.0 engines in the firebird. If anyone has any input on this please fill me in thanks in advance.


this is the link i got the info from
https://www.thirdgen.org/1989-pontiac-firebird

My vin is 1G2FS218XKL211278
This is the link for the vin decoder
http://www.transamworld.com/3genvins.php

 

Don't trust off site info... That vin decoder is wrong. There's no difference between the VIN for a Firebird and a Formula. The VIN only shows the difference between a Firebird/SE/Trans Am. The Formula used the same VIN code as a Firebird, but since the L98 was a Trans Am/Formula only option, the Firebird VIN and L98 engine code tells you it's a Formula 350.

 

ok thank you bc i want to change the gearing in my rear to 3.7 but I needed to know if it was a borg warner rear or not

 

2 sure fire ways to tell if its a borg rear. 1 it will have a plug in the diff cover and you can slide under the case and it will have the borg logo on the bottom.

to tell what ratio it is (im sure its 3.27 or less) the ratio is stamped on the side of the ring gear. just roll it around and you will see it.

 

And have nine bolts.

JamesC

 

If it's stock it'd be a BW 9 bolt... Best to verify it visually since there are plenty of reasons it might not be now, what it was then.

 

It is the BW nine bolts The car has low miles and as far as I can tell the only thing that was changed was the rear spoiler. From what i see on the other formula 350's they have a wrap around and mine goes straight across it looks like the same one that was on my 85 irocZ.

 

I would recommend getting the aero spoiler from hawksthirdgenparts.com

It would make your car look more correct.