I'm purchasing an 89 Formula WS6 but I have a few questions I hope you guys can help me with.
1) Is there any digit in the vin that would confirm that this a WS6, or any other way to tell for sure?
2) The car is an automatic. What rear would have come with the car (9 bolt Aust or 7.5)?
3) The 305 engine has a MAF meter on it. Is the MAF meter a big restriction on air flow? Can you change it to a 4th gen MAF and have a prom burnt that would make it work?
4) There is a stress crack in the roof at the rear/top of the driver's door glass. Is this a common problem?
Thanks for any info you can provide!!

 

I'll let someone else answer 1-3, but I know #4 is "yes, it is very common." Subframe connectors help keep this from happening.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. 2-1/2" cat-back, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 CC system w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" catback, restalled TC, Spohn SFCs).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Holley 750VS w/4150 conversion, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

1. No
2. Count the bolts.
3. Not for a 305. AFAIK there are other MAFs you can get if you want, that will work with the stock PROM. I don't believe you can make the other type work as there are more fundamental electronic differences among MAFs than just PROM programming.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

1)To find out if the car is a WS6 look on the rpo sheet (regular production option)if you can find one if not there should be a embelum on the pass side dash that says "performance suspention" other than that I don't know how you can find out if it was a WS6.
4)I don't know if it is that common but mine has those cracks on both sides.

 

I thought a requirement for being a formula was that is WAS a WS6. <please correct me if wrong, only what i thought>

Your RPO codes 'should' be on the inside of the lid to your center console IF they're still there.

The MAF: you shouldn't have to worry about it at all unless you do some serious mods, even then it'll only be an option to consider (IMO)

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• '89 Trans AM, 305 TPI, 5-spd
• '86 Firebird, 2.8, Auto

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

As for the rear, you said to count the bolts, are you refering to the diff cover or the actual ring gear?
As for the MAF, yes I do plan on some serious mods which includes a new 350 or 383 short block which I already have. The reason I'm purchasing the car is to bracket race in the EFI category. That being said, I'm looking to build a mid to high 12sec car. Thanks again for your help.

 

I think formula=WS6

 

well if u plan to build a bracket car, i can not stress this enough do it right, so its relieable
and consistant, i know of people who own f bodies and got olds engines under the hood and they swear they will never go back to 305 or 350 again! just a though, i dont want to be hated just tellin u what i know, of course the olds just didnt fit right in, hood clearence problems as always