Post your firebird pics
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From: Brick, NJ
Car: 91 Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: Built T-5
yes. i was aware of most of what you're saying. i was kind of generalizing in order to get the point across to the OP that Formulas generally are not inferior to Trans Ams performance-wise. i've seen TAs with rear drums, etc. too.
does a drum rear braked Formula or TA have posi?
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From: Wyoming
Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: Post your firebird pics
actually, i did read it. the initial part of my post where it says "i suppose" is in aggreement to the fact that the performance difference between a TBI Formula and a base model Firebird is probably not substantial.
also, i think the performance advantage over a base Firebird for a TPI Formula (which represents the majority of Formulas, i think) goes way beyond horsepower numbers. other advantages include better brakes, better suspension, posi-traction, and most likely a better performance rear gear ratio (three-forty-two or three-twenty-something vs. two-seventy-something.)
anyway, if you read the post you quoted me on, i was agreeing with AmorgetRS and expanding on his statement for your benifit so that you would not necessarilly have to be one of the many people who are under the false impression that PERFORMANE-WISE the hierarchy is Trans Am > Formula > Base. that is the price hierarchy. in performance, Trans Am and Formula are essentially identical, having identical hardware, if anything, with a slight advantage in favor of Formula for lighter weight. i just wanted to point that out in case you were not aware.
also, i think the performance advantage over a base Firebird for a TPI Formula (which represents the majority of Formulas, i think) goes way beyond horsepower numbers. other advantages include better brakes, better suspension, posi-traction, and most likely a better performance rear gear ratio (three-forty-two or three-twenty-something vs. two-seventy-something.)
anyway, if you read the post you quoted me on, i was agreeing with AmorgetRS and expanding on his statement for your benifit so that you would not necessarilly have to be one of the many people who are under the false impression that PERFORMANE-WISE the hierarchy is Trans Am > Formula > Base. that is the price hierarchy. in performance, Trans Am and Formula are essentially identical, having identical hardware, if anything, with a slight advantage in favor of Formula for lighter weight. i just wanted to point that out in case you were not aware.
So here's a question. My brother had a, must have been a 90 Trans Am, not a 91. He didn't have the nose like mine. This is back in 95 when he had his. Did they put "Formula" decals on the doors of Trans Ams? I know for a fact that he had the 5.0 TPI, but his door had the Formula decal on it. Did he have a Trans Am or a Firebird Formula?
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From: Washington
Car: 89 Formula 350, TTA
Re: Post your firebird pics
Got it. I now understand what you were saying. Thanks for the clarification.
So here's a question. My brother had a, must have been a 90 Trans Am, not a 91. He didn't have the nose like mine. This is back in 95 when he had his. Did they put "Formula" decals on the doors of Trans Ams? I know for a fact that he had the 5.0 TPI, but his door had the Formula decal on it. Did he have a Trans Am or a Firebird Formula?
So here's a question. My brother had a, must have been a 90 Trans Am, not a 91. He didn't have the nose like mine. This is back in 95 when he had his. Did they put "Formula" decals on the doors of Trans Ams? I know for a fact that he had the 5.0 TPI, but his door had the Formula decal on it. Did he have a Trans Am or a Firebird Formula?
based on the information you gave, i would assume he had a Formula.
your car, being a 91-92 has the Banshee front end, which ALL Firebirds had for those last two years of production. however, from '85-'90, Trans Ams had a different, flatter front end than base Firebirds and Formulas.
did his front end look like mine?
or was it like BigBadGTA's?
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From: Wyoming
Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: Post your firebird pics
1 - no, GM never put Formula Decals on Trans Ams.
based on the information you gave, i would assume he had a Formula.
your car, being a 91-92 has the Banshee front end, which ALL Firebirds had for those last two years of production. however, from '85-'90, Trans Ams had a different, flatter front end than base Firebirds and Formulas.
did his front end look like mine?
or was it like BigBadGTA's?
based on the information you gave, i would assume he had a Formula.
your car, being a 91-92 has the Banshee front end, which ALL Firebirds had for those last two years of production. however, from '85-'90, Trans Ams had a different, flatter front end than base Firebirds and Formulas.
did his front end look like mine?
or was it like BigBadGTA's?
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From: Washington
Car: 89 Formula 350, TTA
Re: Post your firebird pics
correct. a lot of the time, people will simply refer to any Firebird as a Trans Am for simplicity. i think this is because the Smokey and the Bandit car (a Trans Am) was such a cultural icon.
Last edited by Linson; Dec 20, 2013 at 10:42 AM.
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Thread Starter
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^@juve, was gonna comment on ur thread real nice bird.....will be looking on here or ur thread for updates....congrats on it
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Westminster, MD USA
Car: 91 Firebird 'vert, 91 Formula
Engine: 5.7, 5.0
Transmission: T56, T5
Axle/Gears: Auburn w/ 3.73's, 3.42
[/URL] COTM Editor (Retired)
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From: Washington
Car: 89 Formula 350, TTA
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^hope I didn't make this mistake recent lol I don't recall post but I'm assuming this was early on when I first started on the site....thanks for the correction
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
crappy i phone pics but had to post since wv finally had some nice weather!!!!
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Springfield,Illinois
Car: 1987 TA GTA, 1987 IROC 1988 Formula
Engine: 350 tpi/305 tpi/350 tbi
Transmission: All have 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3:73's
Re: Post your firebird pics
Some recent shots of my car before she gets some paint work and 4th gen spoiler!
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^paint looks good already man
thanks CB!!!! waiting on updates man
thanks CB!!!! waiting on updates man
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
pic ho, i know lol, just happy to have her on the road!!! quick pic during my sunday cruise to the lake
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From: Dallas
Car: 1991 Trans Am Vert
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T-5 baby
Re: Post your firebird pics
Looks like they have an issue with hood alignment. sorry I am sure you can etll. looks good though in general! also not a GTA?
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^yea hood alignment and lights were tough to align, sorta gave up on getting them perfect, when i first got the car the headlights would close pass the bumper!!! (meaning the headlight bucket would sink in too far)
but yes i can see how it hurts most people eyes lol, hopefully after engine and suspension i can spend time on body
no gta just loved the metal birds over my decals
cb,
but yes i can see how it hurts most people eyes lol, hopefully after engine and suspension i can spend time on body
no gta just loved the metal birds over my decals
cb,
Thread Starter
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
cb, beauty man!!!!!
good choice on lowering springs, thats next on my list with sub frames
good choice on lowering springs, thats next on my list with sub frames
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: South Ms
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: Post your firebird pics
90k miles.A Formula LO3/auto,but previous owner didnt like the body the way they came so he put Trans Am body trim. Future plans are to add some black or gold crosslace wheels and maybe a set of headers. Its getting 22mpg and ive enjoyed driving it to work every day since ive got it in March. It has a cold air intake off an 83 trans am and a shift kit. Thats the only mods.
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^^^solid mpgs!!! im still in tuning so not getting that at the moment lol but still love driving it while its nice weather
car looks good just need bigger pics!!!
car looks good just need bigger pics!!!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Post your firebird pics
A friend of mine and member on here has the BMR Subframe connectors and from what I remember he is happy with them except that they stick way too low on his Formula and are visible. I wonder if they would be visible on our ground effect cars.
Last edited by CharcoalBird; May 20, 2014 at 04:12 PM.
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Post your firebird pics
I have UMI SFC's on my car and you can't even tell they are on there unless you stick your head up under the car. The only way you would see them is if the car didn't have rocker skirts. I can provide a pic if you'd like. They definitely stiffen up the car. They make for pretty nice jack points as well.
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Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Post your firebird pics
Your pics are tiny dmccain!
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^clean 82!!! Love the seats!
Cb and dprest good info!!! Thanks after tuning that's my next goal I'm guessing it depends on how it's installed
Cb and dprest good info!!! Thanks after tuning that's my next goal I'm guessing it depends on how it's installed
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From: Michigan [Bodacious Member with the Bodacious TA'TAs (Trans Ams)]
Car: 91 Formula - Authentic and REAL
Engine: 5.0 Liter
Transmission: 700R4
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Post your firebird pics
My '89 at a local cruise-in. I just recently got it back on the road after a four year long LS1 engine swap.
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From: Central Arkansas
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08? unlimited slip
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Springfield,Illinois
Car: 1987 TA GTA, 1987 IROC 1988 Formula
Engine: 350 tpi/305 tpi/350 tbi
Transmission: All have 700r4's
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt with 3:73's
Re: Post your firebird pics
A few recent shots of my 88' Formula
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
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From: Boston, MA
Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500
Engine: Crossfire 305ci V8
Transmission: Jasper 700R4 4 speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23 limited slip/posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Plant City, FL
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6
Re: Post your firebird pics
-Jim Rousey
Last edited by CharcoalBird; Jun 25, 2014 at 02:57 PM.
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
Re: Post your firebird pics
Thanks for the compliment Jim! We'll let you know about future shows we plan on attending. The rest will be up to you! 
Thread Starter
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
Dprest always loved ur color of choice blue....nice to hear the swap is finally completed!
Dd9, 4th gen spoiler looks great
Dd9,
4th gen spoiler looks great Supreme Member
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From: Apopka, Florida
Car: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: cammed LS1
Transmission: Monster SS 4L65E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt posi w/ 3.70 gears
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From: NE Ohio
Car: 82 MSE/89 TTA/89 Formula/99 TA
Re: Post your firebird pics
My TTA out for a cruise tonight-trying out my new wheel/tire combo. Running 4 fronts with Firestone Firehawk Indy Wide Ovals. Car rides and drives awesome
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Senior Member
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From: Morgantown, WV
Car: 1990 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7 350 HSR afr195 xfi268
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Post your firebird pics
^looks awsome!!! Always had a tough time finding someone selling the fronts when I had my cross laces ... Definitely looks better for the rears....beautiful tta!!!
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From: NE Ohio
Car: 82 MSE/89 TTA/89 Formula/99 TA
Re: Post your firebird pics
Over the course of several years, I've found 2 complete sets of cross laces, so I took the fronts from both sets and restored them. I still have my orig to the TTA with different tires mounted in case I ever want to switch back.