What's so special about the formula?

[JiffyBeene]

I just recently bought a 1995 Firebird Formula and was wondering if one of the Formula experts might be able to tell me what's different between these and a Trans Am? I don't pick the car up until this friday but I'm trying to figure out what options it has based on what I know. It is an Auto with T-tops and it does have the performance shift button. Does this mean that it would have the 3.23's outback? It has cloth seats and a cassette deck with the EQ and steering wheel controls. Any idea which RPO that would be? 4 speakers, 6 speakers, amplified? Also I have been trying to find some production numbers on the car, mainly to find out how many identical cars were made so I need specifics. Any idea where I could find those? And Lastly, it's an LT1 and I have been scouring the forum trying to find out what would be the best and most gainfull upgrades to do? I'm thinking cold air(not ram air) but it already has a K&N so I don't know if I'd notice much. Also I want longtube headers with true duals, just wondering if I'm pointing in the right direction. Thanks

[puppy2]

ive 1998 trans am auto, difference is some of these......
1.mine came with a standard cd player with a 10 speaker and built-in amp
2. leather seats with power controls
3. exterior sports package( dif. front clip, side rails,rear-end skirt,raised spoiler.
4. trans am have more horsepower than firebirds and formulas....some of the other guys can comment on the #'s.

not sure of dif. of exhaust systems, its all little subtle thingys. I know more about TA's and TA's w/ram than the base models(firebirds and formulas) think mostly its just amount of HP that been changed in the models.

Hope this helps

[TransAm87]

Basically the difference between the formula and trans ams is the difference in front, rear bumpers and side skirts, but the engine's are exactly the same and put out the same numbers, about 275hp at the crank and 250 at the wheels..just cause it has the perform button doesn't mean it has the higher gears, if you check the codes, GU2 is 2.73 and GU5 is 3.23..and for production numbers there are a lot of sites so you can just go to google and do a search..otherwise congrats on the purchase and welcome to AF..

4. trans am have more horsepower than formulas

not true

[doodad]

Originally Posted by puppy2

4. trans am have more horsepower than firebirds and formulas....some of the other guys can comment on the #'s.

power is excatly the same and even formulas are lighter which means ten thousands f secs faster than T/As. but basicly they have the same numbers! none of them are better..

[FormulaLT1]

Actually he does have 3.23's or at least he did when the car left the factory cause the performance button only came with 94 & 95 with option gu5. The Gu2's did not have the performance button. Also the stock air box used on LT1's (and pretty much all 4th gens for that fact) are very restrictive. Just a performance filter alone will not make much of a difference (maybe 3 -5 horse if your super lucky) while a CAI which opens up the area that is allowing air to enter the plumbing will give larger gains (usually around 10 horse or more). I suggest getting a cold air intake.

Lol, now not to sound like I am trying to sell you something and you can research what I told you and will learn its th truth but I recently purchased a Supercharger for my formula and have my Cold air intake with a 9 inch K&N filter I am selling. I put it up on the Camaro forum classified sticky but am only looking for like 45 bucks for it and can provide pics if your interested but you can also find some nice CAI on Summit racing and ebay. So don't think I am pushing this on you, I am sure it will sell just thought I would mention it.


Also welcome to AF.

[TransAm87]

Actually he does have 3.23's or at least he did when the car left the factory cause the performance button only came with 94 & 95 with option gu5. The Gu2's did not have the performance button.

now I'm sure you know more about the TA's and formula's since you've owned yours longer, but I don't think that's right, my '95 trans am has the performance button but it has the GU2 code

[JiffyBeene]

Well thanks for all the welcomes! I had a chance to run through Gm's computer and I do have the 3.23's. Also from what I've been reading while it is correct that the 94-95 formula's with the perfomance button did come with 3.23's, this is apparantly not correct for the TransAm's. My car has most options listed above such as the 10 speakers amplified system but doesn't have the power leather seats. From what I can find the only thing a T/A has that wasn't available on a formula is the Ground Effects package. Thanks to all those who replied and to FormulaLT1, can you send me some pics of that filter ([email protected]) One more question I've found though is this, is a 3" piping and cone filter large enough for 300+ RWHP or should I start looking for a 4"? I'm asking because within a month or so I will be adding a CAI, underdrive pulleys, SFC's, pacesetter LT Headers, Borla Cat-back and probably a tune. Thanks Again

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by TransAm87

now I'm sure you know more about the TA's and formula's since you've owned yours longer, but I don't think that's right, my '95 trans am has the performance button but it has the GU2 code

You know I got that info about the perform button off a 4th Gen faqs page that I am trying to find again but so far everyone that I heard from who has it had 3.23's. So I assumed it was true but with GM everything is not always a exact science like I know all LS1 4th gens auto's with 3.23's and stick with 3.42's are suppose to have Aluminum driveshafts but have seen a few that did not have them. So who knows but I will find that page and will post it up when I do find it.

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by JiffyBeene

Well thanks for all the welcomes! I had a chance to run through Gm's computer and I do have the 3.23's. Also from what I've been reading while it is correct that the 94-95 formula's with the perfomance button did come with 3.23's, this is apparantly not correct for the TransAm's. My car has most options listed above such as the 10 speakers amplified system but doesn't have the power leather seats. From what I can find the only thing a T/A has that wasn't available on a formula is the Ground Effects package. Thanks to all those who replied and to FormulaLT1, can you send me some pics of that filter ([email protected]) One more question I've found though is this, is a 3" piping and cone filter large enough for 300+ RWHP or should I start looking for a 4"? I'm asking because within a month or so I will be adding a CAI, underdrive pulleys, SFC's, pacesetter LT Headers, Borla Cat-back and probably a tune. Thanks Again

A CAI will provide enough air for way more than that. If your talking about the cheap CAI on ebay that are like a metal pipe and a tiny cone on the end. Those don't flow all that well and look pretty cheap in place. I will send some pics as soon as I get a chance.

John

[puppy2]

sorry all but im not sure where your getttin your engine specs. from...but formulas ARE NOT THE SAME AS TRANS AMS. someone said 275hp, sure that's formula. trans ams are 305 by the dealership tag...but manufactures rate them as 325hp....so then maybe just maybe means that trans w/ram or acutally 345hp. the ram air induction only adds 20HP.

I dont know where or how you all can say a 1995 formula is the same as to a like mine 1998 trans am...that's crazy. geee then it would be in 3 year only improvement they made is leather seats and a cd player....sorry, wrong

[FormulaLT1]

Originally Posted by puppy2

sorry all but im not sure where your getttin your engine specs. from...but formulas ARE NOT THE SAME AS TRANS AMS. someone said 275hp, sure that's formula. trans ams are 305 by the dealership tag...but manufactures rate them as 325hp....so then maybe just maybe means that trans w/ram or acutally 345hp. the ram air induction only adds 20HP.

I dont know where or how you all can say a 1995 formula is the same as to a like mine 1998 trans am...that's crazy. geee then it would be in 3 year only improvement they made is leather seats and a cd player....sorry, wrong

95 was LT1 and 98 was LS1. Every year of 4th Gen's. Both Formula and Trans Am used the same exact engines with the same exact power numbers. Sure there were options available like the Firehawk and WS6 that could increase the power on either model but the Base Formula and base Trans Am for 95 were the same exact power rating. No difference, both had 275 Horse and then in 96 the LT1 was rated at 285 due to a exhaust change.

[ponchonutty]

Yep, it's common knowledge that BOTH TA's and Forumalas have the same drivetrain. Yes, the output would differ if you have a WS6 or RamAir car but again, both of those packages could be had in either car. Same is said again for the Firehawk package as well.

BTW, dragstrip numbers usually did show that Formulas could be slightly faster due to less body cladding which ended up being a little lighter. This was very true for the 3rd gen cars. Puppy, you are comparing 2 different cars with 2 different engines.

[doodad]

Originally Posted by puppy2

sorry all but im not sure where your getttin your engine specs. from...but formulas ARE NOT THE SAME AS TRANS AMS. someone said 275hp, sure that's formula. trans ams are 305 by the dealership tag...but manufactures rate them as 325hp....so then maybe just maybe means that trans w/ram or acutally 345hp. the ram air induction only adds 20HP.

I dont know where or how you all can say a 1995 formula is the same as to a like mine 1998 trans am...that's crazy. geee then it would be in 3 year only improvement they made is leather seats and a cd player....sorry, wrong

puppy.. you have wrong informations and comparing different cars..

93-95 firebird trans ams and formulas rated 275HP. 96-97 trans am and formulas rated 285hp.

98-00 trans ams and formulas (non WS6) rated 305HP. 01-02 trans ams and formulas rated 310HP. (non WS6) with WS6 options 325HP.

as you see THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE OTHER THAN NAMES!!

we all learn man!!!

[ikeyballz]

quit beating a dead dog guys! haha =P same = same. same as Z28 and SS. no worries tho..im sure there have always been improvements over the years.. or unimprovements..(80s >_<)