Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Edit 2: since topic has become more relevant to history/originality since I went and bought the car, deletion no longer necessary :)

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

I'd snag it in a heartbeat !!!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

These threads are a complete waste of time and space on the interwebz without detailed pictures including a picture of the RPO tag.... Do you expect us to just make random guesses based on your sketchy info? Are we really helping you by making random guesses with no data?

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Yes, just looking for my own personal hype men haha. But in all seriousness I kind of thought the same thing right after I posted it so I apologize... it was more of a question of how rare the 305tpi/5sp 90' formula was (barring other options). Thanks and sorry for wasting the precious internet bytes

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Let the bytes be damned! We come here to talk cars. No need to not talk cars, we just want to talk MORE about cars. MORE info. Need pics!!! Require pics!!!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Dang, I'm too late. Where's the pics? What color is it? Arrrrgghhhh. I want more info!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

okay okay heres a couple of the very few non-detailed pics I have. was just trying to decide if I should drive 2 hrs to look at it and possibly buy on the spot... 90 formula Maui blue two tone (grey and red stripe on bottom) 305 TPI 5 SP 78k mi (supposedly). Not running (dont have details on this other than battery is dead possibly another problem) paint is faded from sun. 2nd owner no accidents

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...362465bc70.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...c178495746.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...cc189f17bd.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e193d1f7e7.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...4cd8f74bce.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...826033971c.jpg

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...8bd20367cf.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...c04f66f91e.jpg

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Not the best pictures, but good enough to grab my attention if I was shopping for one. Love that color, and the speed.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Yup, 100% worth a closer look. Either you go get it or tell me were I can get it.. lol

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

If it has the driver side cup holder in tact I’d say it’s for sure rare and snag it up in a hurry 😂

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Sheeet dawg. A few weeks ago I drove two hours out, and two hours back the same night to look at a 91 Z28 a buddy was thinking about buying.

Looks to me like it'd clean up pretty good. No major issues in the photos. Driver's fender looks tweaked like someone jacked it up wrong, but that's an easy fix. If I were looking, I'd go look if that color doesn't bother you, and it's the options you'd want. Any day spent looking at a 'new' thirdgen is a better day than one without looking at a new thirdgen.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

if the price was right I would buy.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Looks decent to me! Worth a look I'd say for only 2 hours drive. Asking price?

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Perked my interest. Id hafta hava look at it!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

thanks for the feedback guys, ill let you know how it goes, hopefully checking it out Friday

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

I'm sold just by the car itself! What's the price??

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Update in case anyone cares: Finally got to go see it after a first failed attempt (long story), it is the real deal and the seller and I came to an agreement on the price, will be picking it up this week. LB9, G80, WS6 Formula, WITH dual cats and rear disks. its almost all original has been sitting for a while. Will need new tires and paint is faded on the drivers side, as someone else noted front fenders are slightly bowed from the jack pinch weld being bent in. (whats the easiest way to fix this? just hammer the pinch weld back?) but everything is in good condition 78k miles Engine turns over great with a good battery and has good oil pressure no leaks that I can find, but just wont fire for some reason possibly ignition control module or something else simple, fuel pump primes OK. Couldn't really troubleshoot it in his garage. Going to trailer it home and fix it up, then debate whether to sell it to someone on this forum that will appreciate it or sell my GTA, can only keep one.

and sorry i only got a few crappy pics that aren't any better than his. but i did get the RPO sticker (unfortunately I cut off the lines on the right. DOH I was in a hurry. G80 is one of the ones I cut off)

edit: I see it also has the KC4 Oil cooler option, but I dont think it had G92 on the part I cut off


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...d568a6850c.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...a994d00c38.jpg

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Looks like there’s two rows missing by chance? Should be a GU* code for the year ratio as well if I’m not mistaken. Could be wrong. Looks like a nice car either way!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Congratulations! :thumbsup:

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

looks like you got urself an upgraded radio to boot!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Thanks! going to pick her up tonight, ill post some decent pics in case anyone has interest

yes sir it works too! however if I decide to keep her, a bluetooth capable radio is a must for me :)

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Looks good, i think lots of people will have interest in pictures.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Yes, more pics, congrats as well.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Got her back home and on the ground around 1AM last night... didn't have time to take any morning pictures before rushing off to work (slept right thru my alarm)

BUT did get a nice surprise from the owner, he had the ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER and all the original dealer docs. Snapped some pics for your originality nuts. Also I haven't opened it yet but in the left trunk compartment I believe the original cassette tape from the dealer about the cars features is in a plastic zip lock bag

She's filthy from sitting for who knows how long, and needs a few things like tires/rear hatch pull down motor repair etc, but shes all there and in good shape minus the faded driver side paint, you can tell its low miles by how smooth the doors open and close :)

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...83924d2af6.jpg
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Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Oh one more thing, the rear axle is GU6 3.42 :driving:

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Very cool and awesome score! My first and second F body’s were both Trans Am’s, my 88 I still have and a 99 WS6 I had to let go of way back when. As much as I love those two cars, I feel as though I get more excited about my third and fourth ones, my 91 Formula optioned similar to yours and my 94 Firehawk which is based on the Formula. Both those cars just look sleek, love the lack of gfx and other stuff. They look like they’re ready to go fast just sitting there! :driving:

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

N10? It has an extra cost add for "dual exhaust".

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Weird how they list the R6P options separate but a very cool car you have. I bet she's a runner..
Slap a good sticky tire on it, bump the base timing up (10-14), do the ram air trick with the pass headlight, crank up fuel psi, remove the front swaybar and hit the track. If it's in good shape, I'd bet on 14.10s-14.40s

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

we will see what the future holds once I get her cleaned up :) I may just try to keep it as OEM as possible since it is really close

Yep it is N10 code with Dual Cat exhaust!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

After troubleshooting the no start issue, determined that the fuel pump needs to be replaced (doesn't prime, tested all the electrical components first) New pump and screen and fuel filter will be here Thursday.
I spent yesterday evening disassembling the rear suspension and exhaust to prepare to remove the tank, It really wasn't bad at all even on jack stands as long as you have an impact gun and the right sockets and wrenches and a 20" lift jack.
Had the exhaust, panhard bars, springs, heat shields and shocks out/disconnected in about 1 hour. It also helps to have a southern car with no rust and all the parts are bone stock.

Will remove the tank straps tonight and get the tank out, once I get everything back together and get her started (fingers crossed) and wash the layer of grime off it I will throw up some more pictures maybe a video.

Car keeps pleasantly surprising me with how original and good condition everything mechanical is.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

That seems like a great find, love the Maui Blue and it has some pretty desirable options as well.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Thanks its really growing on me!
Fuel pump is here, but its 95 Fricken degrees in charlotte, gonna wait until it cools down a tad to start re-assembling!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...7565e72a8c.jpg

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

It could be worse... Your pavement looks dry. ;)

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Obviously it's wet down the road a few miles West of here too.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Looks like a great car! Congrats on the purchase!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Cool car! Congrats!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...043535a1a.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...75269f843.jpeg
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It’s twin in my driveway

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

very nice car! glad to see that u r changing the fuel pump the right way on such a nice original car.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Congrats ughmas, really nice original car! Looks like a good save and must be nice to have all of that paper work. My low mile original 90 Formula only came with the thicker owner's manual. I've been on the hunt for the other stuff myself. Did yours have the original floor mats? I would kill for a set of original gray floor mats, so hard to find.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Nice! just out of curiosity is yours similarly optioned? are you planning on getting it repainted? I don't have much paint experience I was wondering how a shop would handle the two tone and decal stripes.

thanks, its not nearly bad enough to warrant cutting a hole in the car.

Thanks! it does have 4 floor mats but I am not really sure if they are original or not, they are a different shade than the carpet, sort of a light blue, you can see one in the crappy picture from the seller. Any way to tell if they are OEM?

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Found out most likely why the fuel pump was shot. The O-ring, rubber grommet on the bottom, and the pump sleeve had all essentially turned into liquid rubber glue. I'm sure some of it got sucked into the pump judging by the screen. (it looks a little more damaged because I had to rip it off). This stuff was like cement! I still have it all over my hands. I cleaned out the tank as best I could luckily i got just about all of it out and wiped down the inside to get any residue, it was not what I would call "fun". Got the new pump installed all ACDelco OEM parts, just have to wait to see if she fires up because I left the dome light on and drained my battery :doh:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...5b5f89c4f2.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...ed6e577853.jpg

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Will have little square GM logo at top and backside rubber pattern is also a clue .

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

They don't appear to be original mats :\

Sorry this has turned into kind of a progress thread... there is great news and some not so great news.

New fuel pump installed and she started up!! seems to be running great for sitting so long, engine bay is smooth and quieter than my 88 GTA, revs up nice, but i still have the whole cat-back taken off so its hard to tell because its so loud. I do have an SES light but I haven't checked the code yet, could the exhaust being off throw a code?

The BAD news is my fuel sending unit appears to be fubar as well, gauge is pegged over full and when I jump the pink and black wires at the pump connector it slowly went back down to empty. I ordered a new sending unit today, 120 bucks that I was hoping to not have to spend :(
On the bright side I did not put everything back together, so I just need to take the straps back off and disconnect the lines and wiggle the tank back out (which was the hardest part, that filler neck is a pain to get past the lip).

Hopefully this is the last thing I need to touch on the tank for the foreseeable future.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Update on the formy - its been a slow couple weeks but she's getting there and finally can drive!

Did the following
-Removed tank again, replaced fuel sending unit, replaced fuel filter, gas gauge works now!
-Code 43 after I got it running for the first time and put everything back together - replaced knock sensor today and that fixed it!
-replaced spark plugs, they looked original!
-new air filter
-rebuilt hatch pull down motor as it was stuck all the way down and wouldn't latch (cracked housing)

She pulls strong, now just need to get the new tires on and take care of minor interior stuff. I think I'm going to keep her at least for a little while :P here's a vid of the first time its moved under its own power for me tonight

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Always a good feeling when the project rolls down the road for the 1st time!

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Looks good and sounds strong.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

This thing is rad. Good work dropping the tank. Previous owner of mine did not do that. It is such a hack job with cutting hard lines and all. It sounds nice also.

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Yes it was a good feeling!!

Thanks!

Thanks man! Yeah it was a good amount of work especially since I had to do it twice, but well worth it

Re: Rare Formula? To buy or not to buy
 

Got the new tires (General G-MAX RS) mounted over the weekend after I scrubbed the wheels down with wheel cleaner and a drill Brush. Shes looking and Running great! now I just need to fix a couple minor interior things and get my license plate! the only "major" outstanding issue is the upper drivers side paint/clear is faded on the door and front fender. I will be getting it repainted to the same OEM colors if I decide to keep it long term.

oh one more thing... the t-tops dont leak a single drop, amazing!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.thi...e2e115447.jpeg