In other words, my 89 Formula 350 is finally home from the shop - after a year and a half (long story). so, ive got tech and pics and wasnt sure under which topic to post, but i'm pretty proud of the car, though, aaaand here goes.



1989 Firebird Formula 350

Stock L98 Block, Alston Subframe Connectors, Hypereutectic Pistons, Forged Conn Rods, Fluidampr, ZZ4 (208/221@.50) Cam, Aluminum Vortec (Fastburn) heads, Dyno Don 1 3/4 Coated Headers, Dyno Don Off Road Y-Pipe, Hooker Cat Back, Monza Exhaust Tips (The Hooker ones were TRASH), Corvette Servo, Transgo Shift Kit, 1.5 Ratio Roller Rockers, Edelbrock Vorted Base Plate (intake manifold), AS&M Runners, and other cool stuff.

Planned: Cold Air Intake (Homemade), Custom Chip (NEEDED), 35% Windo Tint, Fiberglass Rear Spoiler (identical to stock spoiler), Tubular Torque Arm, Boxed Lower Control Arms, Tubular Panhard Rod, SSBC brake kit http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SSB-A123-2/ (if it will actually fit), Maaaayyybe Black Chrome Powdercoat Stock Wheels.

issues: i NEED to get that chip. the idle is a little rough and irratic just after the initial startup, runs very rich, (has Accel 24 lb injectors), worst of all, there is a vaccum deficit, which causes VERY poor braking if the car has only been idling. i talked to Ed Wright, but havnt pulled the trigger just yet. i'm pretty much cleaned out at the moment. Also, i gotta take it back to the transmission guy - left to it's own devices, it will shift from 1st to 2nd waaaay too soon, but with a nice chirp though, and maybe too soon from 2nd to 3rd, albeit with a nice quick, positive shift. i may need to replace the brake booster, as i am not entirely convinced that the problem is all vacuum/CPU related.

goals met: all issues aside, i am happy with the build. the throttle response is "RIGHT NOW," the power is there, the car sounds ferocious when you step on the gas, but doesnt drone at 60 on the hwy - which is why i chose the Hooker cat back. i put my 4th gen up for sale at the local consignment lot today. i'm gonna keep this one.

notes: i ditched the charcoal canister, the EGR and the Air Pump. the serpentine drive was rerouted using a 2" longer than stock belt - works perfectly.

pics:

KNOW THY ENEMY







^ Actual mileage on the Firebird.



They're both '89s.





DANZIG, BABY!

 

Sweet.

 

oh, yeah...it also has the T/A Performance Aluminum Diff cover. you cant even see it on the car.

 

I love that head-on garage pic, makes it look like the Mustang is wide awake and bright eyed, while the 'bird is really asleep.

 

how does it feel compared to the stang?

 

well, it's two different animals really. the Mustang is running better than ever, but i mean the Bird has a performance build (heads, cam, oh, i forgot to mention AS&M Runners and Edelbrock Vortec Baseplate, but anyway, the full exhaust and 3.55 gears woke that mustang right up, but it is at present, not exactly in the same league, pefrmance wise, as the Firebird.

 

That is a nice bird.

 

thank you.

dude, you have NO IDEA the **** storm i had to go through to get it.

 

I know what you mean. I am going through my own s***storm to get mine going. And I'm 17 and without a job/income, trying to finish highschool by the end of the week, and the car by a week from this Saturday. Fun stuff.

 

Update: the Formula now has window tint and a stereo system, and is running sweet. had some vacuum leak issues before.

had a coil cold cut from the front springs (was actually necessary to eliminate positive camber), but as an added bonus, the car sits perfect now.

also had the AS&M runners powder coated black chrome - too hard to keep the natural finish clean.

 

Do you have pics of them installed? I'd love to see how that looks.

 

i'll see what i can do.

 

 

i wanna do a CAI along similar lines as Dyno Don's.

 

Looks sweet man.

 

What did it cost to get the black chrome done on the runners?

 

$50.