The car that i was gonna buy after christmas there, but turned down cause the dude wanted to much for was a 87 formula, 305 TPI, 5 speed with the normal mods, exhaust, headers and I think that is about it. My question is, when I went for a test drive, in second gear (the car has 3.08's with posi) I punched it at about 2000 rpm and the car wanted to go sideways...is this normal performance for a 305 TPI? I have been reading a lot, and the 305 doesn't really get the attention that the 350 does. I know for me, it felt awesome, and till now the only v8's i had driven are a 89 mustang gt with a few mods, with 3.55 gears, and I think that maybe the mustang might have edged out this car, but mostly cause of the gears...just wondering if this formula was slow, fast or just plain normal....thanx!

(and for the record, i would take the formula hands down any day over the stang, firebirds kick *** )

 

305's can have a lot of punch, 350 is obviously the more preferred choice because its bigger, more powerful, and will respond better to mods and u can do more with it. I have a 305 and it is very powerful, even stock, u can get a 305 up to 300 hp if u try and put a lot of money into it but a lot of people will tell u to get a 350, especially if u dont already have the 305.

 

yup thats normal, what temperature is it there cold? i can go in 2nd and punch it and bury the tach this time of year.

 

yeah, i was going to mention that, here in winnipeg, manitoba, it was pretty cold the day we looked at it, so i am sure that was part of it. and the reason i kinda like the 305 TPI is from the standpoint is that it comes with a 5 speed, and that i don't need to swap trannies to get a standard. i guess i maybe sound lazy, but for me, a university bum , the less stuff i have to do and the less money i have to spend the better. but i agree, the 350 is a better choice, i am just looking for a 5 speed....why chevrolet and ponitac never put in a standard tranny is beyond me in the 3rd gens with the 350 tpi...anyways, just my 2 cents. thanx again!

 

I just got a '91 GTA with 305 TPI and an auto tranny, and I can get it sideways from about a 35 MPH roll, all stock. Like you though, it was pretty frickin' cold when I did that, so I dunno...but this is the first TPI car I've owned (previously had a LG4 Trans Am), and it continues to impress me.

I test-drove a '91 Formula 350 a while back, and really wasn't too terribly impressed with it over the 305. I know that it has more potential in the long-run, but I don't intend to do a whole lot with it...I'll stick with what I've got.

 

the 305 5spds are fast little buggers! 350s are better to heavily modify, the 305s will hit a wall and not make anymore power. but ull get into the thirteens quicker with the 305 5spd combo, thats been my luck anyway. BUY THAT CAR!