My freinds and I were looking at the classifieds and saw a 1991 Firebird. We called the guy up and he said the car is a 5.0 and insisted that the car is a Formula. Although it's Vin E instead of F, the car doesnt have the Formula lettering on the doors. Can u guys give me the skinny on what the 1991 Firebird has suspension wise, horsepower, etc. Thanks

 

The VIN won't do anything to distinguish a Formula from a base model Firebird. In 91 the base model firebird could be had without the GFX making it look just like a formula. The exterior differences are straight forward. The formula's have 16x8" silver aluminum wheels with WS6 centercaps, all base Firebirds have 15x7" wheels with black caps with the silver turkey outline. Formula's also have the power bulge hood and the wrap around spoiler. Base firebirds have flat hoods and the straight wing.
The decals don't mean anything, and the E engine was the base 305 offered in the Firebird and the formula.

So the only way to know for sure is to check the RPO codes.

The base model Firebird suspension is FE1, the smallest front and rear sway bars ever offered, soft springs, 15" wheels and tires, loose steering, etc.

The Formula has WS6/FE2, heaviest sway bars, stiff springs, 16" wheels, Z rated tires, tight steering, etc... Also various bushings are harder rubber with the FE2 package.

Horse power for the L03 is 170hp. Nothing to write home about, even with the 5 spd its not that impressive. If you want a thirdgen for performance I would say keep searching, just about anything is better than the L03 when dealing with performance.

 

Hey Drew does the 1991 5.0 come with posi traction or not?

 

Pretty sure it was optional on the L03... standard on the L98, and probably standard on the dual cat Lb9's.

 

Hey Drew if it's not equipped with posi traction then what does it have? that one legger limited, do both rear wheels move at the same time to leave parallel skids or just one when burning out? It's preety rare to find a v8 firebird here so i really want it but if i cant show off with it if it doesnt whip.

 

No posi=one wheel burnouts and no "whip". But then again you might as well have an open diff because thats a fast way to trash a posi and they're not cheap.