formula vs trans am

[Unregistered]

ok im lookin at a 98 Trans Am/Formula, now ive heard of Trans Ams and Firebird Formula, is there such things as a t/a formula? and isnt the difference for that year just suspension and appearence?

 

[TropicDave]

Trans Am and Formula are two different packages of Firebird. See the thread below.

With a '98, the Trans Am option would be a Firehawk, then there's the Formula, and then the base 'bird. If I missed one (which could happen) let me know, since I haven't paid all that much attention to the fourth-gens. Mostly second-gens and the occasional third-gen.

 

[427HEMIPONTIAC]

Typically the Formula's share T/A drivetrains/suspension but on a base car, so they are often the fastest and best handling.

In the "old" days, they had 4 birds. Base, Esprit, Formula and T/A, and occaisonally a SE T/A, like a Pace Car or NASCAR, or COMP T/A, etc. Typically the SE's have a special VIN breakout to note them.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I had a 1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula (305) and a 1990 Pontiac Firebord Trans Am (305) and the Formula was a lot quicker. Just noting it...

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[TropicDave]

Typically the Formula's share T/A drivetrains/suspension but on a base car, so they are often the fastest and best handling.

In the "old" days, they had 4 birds. Base, Esprit, Formula and T/A, and occaisonally a SE T/A, like a Pace Car or NASCAR, or COMP T/A, etc. Typically the SE's have a special VIN breakout to note them.

Speaking of the 'old days'...

The wife and I were driving the kids to the grandparents down in Stuart, and we passed a local car lot...I look over, and what do I see? An '80 Turbo Trans Am, decked out in Indy Pace Car regalia. On the way back I had her stop. Looks to be in good condition, but she parked too close to the driver's side so I couldn't get the mileage. No idea how much they want for it. Didn't see any rust on the body or underneath. Interior looked used, but in good repair. Aftermarket A/C compressor and cassette stereo. 4.9L V8 still had the turbo on it, likely the original engine. I hope to get back down to get some pictures and check it out, in case anyone's interested...Sal?

 

[Unregistered]

I've owned Trans Am's and Formula's mainly from the 2ND GEN (70-81). The Formula's could be ordered with the same options as the Trans Am and was the true performance car in the firebird line. Formula's didn't come with the extra weight so they were slightly quicker and more maneuverable but I like the looks of the TA more. Currently have an '81 Turbo TA(all original), '89 Sunbird GT Turbo(all original), and '05 Sunfire(naturally) .

 

[427HEMIPONTIAC]

So I'm not the only Turbo T/A owner on here?! Wow!

Mine is Code 24 blue (as in my avatar, only mine is a turbo) and I found a twin Turbo Formula, same color and all. Wish I got the owner to let me take pictures of them together!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I've always preferred the looks of the Trans Am as well - especially since the late 80s / early 90s.

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[TGibson]

Two Words...Ram Air!! 15 more horses I think!! Firehawk is 30 more right???

 

[kdawg11178]

88 T/a Gta

I drive a 88 T/A GTA 5.7 with TPI injection an a 700r4 pure stock. Love the way it looks an performs. The GTA's were only in production five years as an high-end performance/luxury option package for the 1987 - 1992 Trans Am.This cars eats the formulas with no problem at all.

 

[Unregistered]

Two Words...Ram Air!! 15 more horses I think!! Firehawk is 30 more right???

the 15 horses over the flathood t/a is overrated, and isnt really noticable unless you're going WOT over 100. 0-60, 1/8 and 1/4 mile times in a trans am and in a ws6 depend more on the driver than anything, altho in a race up to 150mph the ws6 would most likely win. i know of stock auto flathood t/a's that have better 1/8 mile times than 6 speed ws6's with exhaust.

 

[81TURBO]

Someone said it correctly, the FORMULA was always intended to be the performance car with it's same drivetrain and suspension as the TA with a lighter weight but the looks of the TA really grabbed the people so it received more hype. Look at the original 69 1/2 TA, it's a FORMULA with a different name. I've always owned a 2ND GEN with V8 and YES 427 you are not the only one with a TURBO model. My 81 Turbo TA currently has the engine removed and looking to rebuild and MOD if anyone has suggestions. I am changing to the standard 4BBL intake with twin VOLVO 4CYL turbo's with intercooler and true dual exhaust. I hope for low RPM torgue with turbo's at full boost (10 psi) by 3500 RPM. These engines don't breath well past 4500 although I think the turbo model trying to push 8 CYL's of fuel and air through a 2 inch intake hole is probably the restrictive point. I expect to be in the low 13's/high 12's even with the 3.08 gears. Any suggestions would be appreciated for the original engine. Understand Pontiac's delimma in 80/81 but the turbo routing/set up was a poor design.

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[427HEMIPONTIAC]

Sounds good, twin turbo's or at least a larger turbo are the ticket. The turbo that came on a 301 was best to be put on a 231 Turbo as an upgrade. It is VERY small. S M ALL.

Don't rag on the 301 heads, I really think they flow a lot more than people give them credit for. The siamesed port I think has a much higher velocity than a standard port due to 2 cyls sharing, and the A/F is moving more often, so there is 2x the port velocity. I think Pontiac was on to something good when they killed off the 301. A friend of mine is an excellent head porter, and a Pontiac guru if you want to get with him on thoughts or work on the heads themselves. He has studied and built engines for a Winston Cup NASCAR engine builder. He knows his stuff.

I think I did start a 301 mods thread, if I didn't start one, we can get going there. I had my 301 running 14.21@97.3 mph. And that was with 40 feet of wheelspin and stock 3.08's.

You are right, the turbo intake was the doom of the setup, it was BAD from the turbo exit to the flat floor of the intake that had so many bends and sharp turns. The heads are the least of the worries....

It sounds like you are looking right on at the 301 setup.

 

[95Formula]

to get back on topic. some people call them both. trans am/ formula. the main difference between them is the rear hatch and the front bumper. trans am has two 4" round fog lamps in the front bumper along with a raised spoiler hatch. formula has a low profile hatch with a v6 front bumper. there really isnt any performance difference between the two.

 

[427HEMIPONTIAC]

Question. I just saw a 77 Formula (I didn't verify VIN, but the owner said it was correct Formula VIN) that had NO hood scoop, HAD rear spoiler and had Trans AM side vents. I didn't think the Formula was allowed to get those. They were the correct fenders, and the paint on them appeared to factory paint. And the side vents were painted to match the lower paint on the car, as Formulas were always two tone. It was missing the tach, had a clock, but the rest of the gauges. i believe this was std gauge package on the Formula.

Any thoughts? It sold with a running drivetrain for $400. Needed work, but was a good driver when it was parked 10 years ago.