93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

[resurrectedz28]

Hey guys,

I really haven't had anytime to get on this site but I'm in a bit of a problem. I love my 94 Camaro and its a real great car but I'm already at 152k and I think its time for another car. I've been looking online for a gto or an ls1 but everything is expensive. Yesterday I finally stumbled upon a 94 formula with 76k miles. It looks to be in great shape and I wouldn't mind having an lt1 but I'm not sure about those cars they seem to look too plain for me. What do you guys think?

[dmw319]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

oh where is bibby when you need him??

[Swindez95]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

I have seen a few of them I really liked but they need to have the right wheel combination and I only seem to like them in darker colors like black, and I even saw a really dark purple one I liked a whole lot not too long ago.

Also don't let anyone shy you away from the LT1, yes they can be a pain sometimes but honestly I think the only reason some people have problems with the optispark is poor maintenance to start with. But you would be wise to try and learn as much about the history of the car as possible. If it has been abused and revved to the moon alot you might be looking at a rebuild not far down the road.

LT's were built with very close bearing tolerances from the factory so it could use thinner oil and negate pumping losses by the oil pump. Those close tolerances aren't good at high rpm's becase they don't allow the bearing surfaces enough leeway for the tiny amount of flex that the connecting rods do under such high loads. At least that's what I read in a GM High Tech Performance magazine article on the subject of so many LT's spinning rod bearings so frequently.

FWIW - I have been driving my car for two years and 15k miles now with no problems from the optispark and it has an ACCEL OPTI unit which is apparently the crappiest you can buy according to some folks.

[unvmyrs]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

Gonna have problems with any car that old... I'd keep the camaro. Or keep your eyes peeled for a low mileage ls car.

[resurrectedz28]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

I'm thinking that it's a good deal. From what the guy said the car has 76k and he wants $2800.00. For a 94 that's incredible.

[Swindez95]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

Low mileage LS car in the southeastern US is like buying a bar of gold bullion. Anyone that has one either doesn't sell it or if it is for sale they want waay too much, less than 100k your looking at 8-10k for an LS car. If it has a pontiac emblem on it, add 3-5k. I have seen some 200k+ ls camaro's still sell for well over 4k here in the south.

For that kind of money I would buy a much much newer very low mileage used car like my GF's 08 grand prix. 12k with only 50k miles. F-Bodies are priceless here in the south because every teenager wants one.

[96blackmaro]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

I like the looks of the 93 to 97 Formulas. Agreed on the Lt1s, they basically run forever as long as you keep up on the maintenance. I know of a few over 200k. Honestly though you have one of the nicest 3.4 cars I've seen and I think you should keep it.

[Mogobs30th]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

I wouldn't buy a 17 year old car with that many miles, especially that engine. Might be under 100K on the odometer, but you don't really know how well it was taken care of, let alone its 17 years old. Rubber and plastic dryrots and cracks, and theres alot of it on any newer engine.

[Everglades W68]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

One word: OptiSpark :cry:

[1998silverbird]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

I have a 95 Firehawk and We love it. It had 69,000 miles on it when we bought it 2 years ago and now it has 73,000 miles on it. The car runs a 13.6@101 with just a 3200 stall converter on a 1.994 60'. I am sure that with headers, 3.73's and a Drag radial it will be a 12 second car.. The fuel pump went out on it and the rear main seal had to be replaced. The intake manifold is leaking a little oil as well. The rear main seal is a common issue on the LT1's from what I have been told as well as the intake gaskets. The oil pressure is at like 15-20 psi at idle and once you step on the gas it stays between 40-50psi depending on how much throttle you give it. This had me a little worried but it seems the LT1's oil pressure runs low at idle. My LS1 runs around 40-45 psi @ idle..

The LT1 is a powerfull motor that with a few mods can be a 12 second car. It gets 25-28 mpg on the highway and has that old school Chevy 350 sound to it which is a very classic sound. The opti sparks are fine as long as they stay dry for the most part. Watch the water pump as when they start leaking they are bolted on top of the opti spark and leak all on the opti.

Everyone tells u to stay away from LT1's but they probably have never owned a LT1 car.. make your decision of the LT1 based off of what people who have owned them have to say. I have just as much fun driving my LT1 car as I do my LS1 car.. 2800 for that car with 77,000 miles is a steal as long as everything checks out and the car is in good shape.

As far as looks goes get a Ram Air or predator style hood, and WS6 wheels or firehawk Wheels and that will make the car really stick out. You could also change out the front bumper to a T/A bumper. You can see pics of my Firehawk on my fquick site with my 95 Firehawk with a T/A front bumper. The previouse owner got into a accident and replaced the firebird bumper with a T/A bumper.

[vanbibber]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

i cant complain, the lt1 has done me pretty well minus my first week of owning the thing, its just everything else that has given me headaches over the years, the motor has taken everything ive thrown at it without batting an eye. just keep up on the stupid stuff that you should usually take care of (plugs,wires,coil and doesnt hurt to throw a new opti in if you get it just to know its new)

[vanbibber]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

holy **** jeff, i think its the first time in 2 years you and I agreed on something lol. its a summer miracle.

[1998silverbird]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

I use to bash on the LT1's even when I 1st purchased my 95.. I was wanting to swap in a LS1. I took it to the track and was hoping for a 13.9 pass and ran a 13.6 on a crappy 60'.. That one time at the track has changed my opinion of the LT1's. I love the way the car sounds and how the car just drives. I had to own a LT1 to appreciate it.

I have 1 question. What is the difference between the LT1 f-bodies and the LT1 vettes power wise? I have met a couple of C4 vette owners that say that there vettes stock run low 13's and even met one last night with a 94 that has a catback and went 12.9@107 with the catback being the only mod.. My 95 went 101 with a stall and airfoil. Of course his vette was a 6 speed

[2.8 Bird]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

The Formula version is slightly faster than the TA. I like the TA style, but I would love to have a Formula in black only.

MSD opti from what i hear is best replacement over stock.

[1998silverbird]

Re: 93- 97 firebird formulas what do you think about them?

from what I hear the MSD is a hit or miss opti. Your best bet is to get a stock replacement or do a coil pack conversion..