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History / OriginalityGot a question about 1982-1992 Camaro or Firebird history? Have a question about original parts, options, RPO codes, when something was available, or how to document your car? Those questions, answers, and much more!
Excited to be joining this forum and stoked to have picked up this beautiful Formula from a very nice elderly gentleman that bought it NEW in 1989 with 10 miles on it. He saved EVERY receipt and document from his ownership (including from autozone!). It’s unreal to see the original buyers order from 1989. Now I won’t say this is a total time capsule, he obviously drove it. Headlight motors need replacing, AC needs charging, Exhaust needs adjusting, but it has never seen a NY winter or even rainstorm as far as I can tell. Chassis is *chefs kiss* perfectly free from rust. Just a sneak preview below (ignore the Carolina squat, I had yet to inflate the helper bags). More once I get the interior cleaned and headlights working.
First things on the to do list:
-Figure out the excessive cranking on cold start. Assuming timing adjustment, IAC cleaning/adjustment and TPS adjustment and go from there? Or is the cold start injector the likely culprit? Coming from 80’s BMW world so the TPI 305 is new to me. Took a look at the TPI FAQs and the above seems like a good place to start. Starts easily once warm, so not sure timing is the issue.
-New headlight motors on the way
-Brake flush….the fluid is BLACK
-Tranny/rear/engine oil
-registered and titled
-pay someone to see if the AC is serviceable. Have not seen a write up yet on R134A conversion but I assume someone has done it?
NICE! 89 does not have the cold start injector. Your problem is the FACTORY Multec injectors. They are garbage. Just go straight to them and replace them. Everyone with an 89 has to do it if they arte still original!
I have many 3rd gens with R134. The R12 just eventually leaks out. 9 out of 10 a service/flush/R134 fixes it. I am interested if you decide to sell this one.
NICE! 89 does not have the cold start injector. Your problem is the FACTORY Multec injectors. They are garbage. Just go straight to them and replace them. Everyone with an 89 has to do it if they arte still original!
Joe D.
Thanks for the info! Any specific injectors work better than others? Ton of options on Rockauto. Always been partial to Bosch.
On the cranking issue, do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key forward? You may have a bad fuel pump relay. There was a backup built into the system where the fuel pump wiring is also run through the oil pressure switch. Once you hit a high enough oil pressure, the switch closes and kicks on the pump.
You could also have a leaking fuel pressure regulator that leaks down slowly enough that it will start fine all day after the initial start but loses prime overnight, hence the long crank.
You did not say you have any runability issues once running, so I would not ASSUME the injectors are bad.
On the cranking issue, do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key forward? You may have a bad fuel pump relay. There was a backup built into the system where the fuel pump wiring is also run through the oil pressure switch. Once you hit a high enough oil pressure, the switch closes and kicks on the pump.
You could also have a leaking fuel pressure regulator that leaks down slowly enough that it will start fine all day after the initial start but loses prime overnight, hence the long crank.
You did not say you have any runability issues once running, so I would not ASSUME the injectors are bad.
Hi! Fuel pump def fires off when turning key. My guess is a combo of FPR and injectors. I am replacing both just because I want to eliminate any issues with 35 y/o injectors.
Nice find and welcome to the club! BMW guy myself have a few. Yes, those multi-tecs are known to decay. Get Delphi's, they are drop ins. Here is the r134 for ya: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...sion-here.html
Well with injectors, plugs, cap, rotor, fpr top end kit and more on the way, decided to tackle the fluids. Quickjacks make everything easy! I am pleased to say that this is the cleanest 35 year old car I've ever seen. Pics speak for themselves.
That is a super clean Formula, very well equipped too. Keep us posted after the tune up and injector swap.
I went with Bosch 3s on my L98 and they work well but I also had a new chip to compensate for the offsets of them, lower fan temp, advance timing etc and was well worth it as it woke the car up.
That is a super clean Formula, very well equipped too. Keep us posted after the tune up and injector swap.
I went with Bosch 3s on my L98 and they work well but I also had a new chip to compensate for the offsets of them, lower fan temp, advance timing etc and was well worth it as it woke the car up.
I also went with the Bosch 3s but did not realize that the offset would affect injector timing...I don't plan on adding a chip. Should I swap for the Delphi's?
I also went with the Bosch 3s but did not realize that the offset would affect injector timing...I don't plan on adding a chip. Should I swap for the Delphi's?
If you don't want to do a custom tune (it's more than just buying a chip) than I would recommend you get the Delphi's, more money but drop in replacement and they are brand new.
Very nice Formula. How do you like your quick jack? I have been kicking around getting one but was concerned about the dual cats on my Formula hitting, but it looks like yours clears pretty well with the added blocks. Any feedback would be appreciated. Again, nice find! Enjoy bringing her back!
Very nice Formula. How do you like your quick jack? I have been kicking around getting one but was concerned about the dual cats on my Formula hitting, but it looks like yours clears pretty well with the added blocks. Any feedback would be appreciated. Again, nice find! Enjoy bringing her back!
Love the Quick Jack! They come with a couple sets of blocks, the higher height ones work great. I think it just kisses the dual cats. If you really want the blocks kind of interlock and you can stack them, but that seems sketchy to me. If I had to do it again I would have opted for the 6,000 lb capacity instead of the 5,000, just so I could also pick up my Yukon. At the time I purchased the jacks, didn't have the truck. Anyway, easy to setup, very secure and customer service was great.
If you don't want to do a custom tune (it's more than just buying a chip) than I would recommend you get the Delphi's, more money but drop in replacement and they are brand new.
I called southbay injectors and described the conversation here. They advised if I was doing bolt-ons then the injectors might be an issue but if staying stock the 3s would work fine. We will see - I get the injectors today!
I called southbay injectors and described the conversation here. They advised if I was doing bolt-ons then the injectors might be an issue but if staying stock the 3s would work fine. We will see - I get the injectors today!
I put in new bosch III's from SouthBay in my 305 tpi / 5 speed and they run great on a stock motor
I also went with the Bosch 3s but did not realize that the offset would affect injector timing...I don't plan on adding a chip. Should I swap for the Delphi's?
If you plan on keeping it stock the Delphis are your best bet.
I've been eyeing those Quickjacks for awhile now... I was afraid the frame rail on the passenger side not being straight like the driver's side would be an issue, but I guess not.
I've been eyeing those Quickjacks for awhile now... I was afraid the frame rail on the passenger side not being straight like the driver's side would be an issue, but I guess not.
I was a little worried too but the car raised evenly with no odd movements - they are worth it man. Makes it so easy. Now I will say with how inboard the jacks have to go to get to the frame rails its a little annoying because space between them is limited, but access under the engine and rear is fantastic.
Just noticed is has the 3.45 rear gear as well, very nice. this would be my ideal color/options/everything for an 89 formula! Impressed with how clean it is underneath being in NY. Let me know if you ever decide to sell
Started in on my box(es) of goodies. Was able to flush the brake fluid which was a disaster with a power bleeder. The adapter for the reservoir would no seal not matter how I arranged it. Would build pressure but just spit out fluid. Finally I said f-it, wrapped the master cylinder in rags and bled. Now have nice clean fluid and got to spray/wipe down half the engine bay worried about brake fluid. Also did the headlight motors, air filter and have the exhaust almost back together after some chopping and welding. Also got it registered and have plates! Hoping to take it for the first drive Sunday. Have not done ignition and injectors yet but hope to get to it next week. Ran great besides the cold start issue so a short jaunt should be no problem. More to come once I get it rinsed off and out in the sun!
Update! Finished up the fuel/ignition system work this past weekend:
-Fuel injectors, new FPR and full o-ring replacement on the fuel rail
-Cap, rotor and coil replaced
-rear hatch shocks replaced
Thankfully read the experiences of others and realized I needed to drop the injectors in the manifold first. Pressurized system and had NO LEAKs the first time! I have to say, WTF GM on the TPI intake system. Needlessly hard to get to the bolts and a total PITA to torque properly. I had a ford 5.0 from an explorer in a volvo wagon and I could have that thing off and back on the car in 15 minutes! Anyway...
Car fired up immediately and runs amazingly well! So stoked, this is my first f-body experience and I am a fan! Got to drive it around Sunday afternoon and immediately found out it needs shocks, which I ordered today (stock AC Delco replacements). Next on the hit list:
-Coolant Flush
-Exhaust retightening/adjustment
-Shocks/struts
-Full detail + ceramic coat
Won't be able to get to the detail till May as I am slammed at work and travelling next week, so beauty shots will have to wait till then.
nice work, yes those intake manifold bolts haunt my dreams....
On my second adventure with that job I replaced all the torx TPI bolts with a kit from Rogue, they work excellent with ball head hex sockets and allow better access/angles without worrying about stripping them.
On my second adventure with that job I replaced all the torx TPI bolts with a kit from Rogue, they work excellent with ball head hex sockets and allow better access/angles without worrying about stripping them.
Holy crap that would have been so much nicer. It wasn't really the angles, just that you had to stab blindly for so many of them and then there wasn't enough room for a full arc of the torque wrench so you ended up having to stab in the dark....again....and again. So glad to be done!
Well, FINALLY got this Formula detailed and new rubber installed. I'm going to consider this done (for now). Side note, my wipers have the dreaded no-return issue right now and I have the fuse pulled. Thinking it is the switch. Have a new stalk, going to take it apart this weekend to see. Any tips on taking the column apart?
List of Updates:
1. Injectors/orings replaced
2. New rubber: Khumo Ecsta PA31s
3. Headlight motors replaced
4. Oil/filter change
5. Transmission fluid flush
6. Replacement ACDelco Struts/shocks
7. Full paint correction
8. New Cap/Rotor/Coil (all ACDelco)
9. aligned and reinforced the catback
great job shes looking sweet! on the column you will need the same type of patience that you used on the intake bolts . youll need a steering wheel puller obviously and some thick grease to hold little parts in place when re-assembling, other than that is just taking off one little part at a time.
-Figured out the wiper issue WITHOUT taking the column apart (thank god). Just some positive grounding in the harness which a bit of tape solved.
-Drained the diff and changed the gasket, looks really nice inside and no real shavings to speak of. Refilled with 80w-90 and and the proper GM friction modifier
-Had a driveline vibration above~75 and on decel - pulled the driveshaft and is currently getting balanced with new u-joints
-Put a new 3in-vband on the cat-back section which eliminated the exhaust leak
-New spark plugs...what a PITA! Never had to get underneath a car to change plugs before. NGK 6630. Definitely made the car happier - seems to idle better and better off-idle response.
Nice work!! once you have the proper under car access (or a lift ) the plugs aren't too bad, but still sucks that you have to get under. I made the homeade 2x4 block stands and they help tremendously with room to work underneath
Nice work!! once you have the proper under car access (or a lift ) the plugs aren't too bad, but still sucks that you have to get under. I made the homeade 2x4 block stands and they help tremendously with room to work underneath
This is where the quickjack comes in so handy. Best $1400 I've spent in the garage.
) the plugs aren't too bad, but still sucks that you have to get under. I made the homeade 2x4 block stands and they help tremendously with room to work underneath 