What do you guys know about the firebird formula?

"Arben72" (arben72)
03/18/2015 at 02:27 • Filed to: Ws6

A friend found one for cheap (<3k) with a 6 speed. I wanted an ls power plant and it being a 98 should have one. Anything I need to know. I expect it to be a project as I'm planning to eventually add some boost. I barely know anything about these though.

DISCUSSION (15)

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 02:35

IIRC the early LS engines don't hold up to power very well, but should be just fine stock.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 02:36

It has wheels and tires and a V8

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 02:46

Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Arben72 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
03/18/2015 at 02:52

I was planning on doing a full rebuild and possibly a different/built motor. Saving cost even if something's bad when I'll just be replacing a lot of it might not hurt. But then again, I could be (probably is) a total junker. Not a car I care much for but I think the power plant should be interesting atleast.

Arben72 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/18/2015 at 02:52

Don't forget manuél.

Arben72 > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
03/18/2015 at 03:24

Thanks for letting me know. I was planning on building it n/a or swapping in an iron block and aiming for 700ish hp range boosted. Looks like I'll have to deal with the extra weight...

Sam > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 03:25

Nothing. Though my dad did have a Formula Firebird back in the 80's. (Not his, but it was the black & gold)

Kinja'd!!!

Needmoargarage > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 07:45

My first car was a 2000 Formula with the factory WS6 option package that I bought from a salvage auction. I never had any problems apart from destroying the factory clutch, but I only owned the car from 47k-80k miles.

<3k sounds a bit too cheap for one of these if it doesn't have crazy high mileage or issues. Also, I believe the earlier LS1 engines in these didn't respond as well to power adders as later versions. If you are just planning on rebuilding or swapping engines anyway, it might be more cost effective to just buy a V6 firebird with a solid body and engine trouble, and swap in a built iron block LS from another model.

If you plan on keeping the original powertrain, you might want to wait around for something with the WS6 handling package, 3.42 gears, etc. A panhard rod, lower control arms, and wider, sticky tires will make these things handle amazing and get rid of the wheel hop issues.

crowmolly > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 09:38

98 has a lot of one year only things:

1. Had differnet casting heads which had perimeter bolts and valve covers.

2. Coils were mounted to the valve covers one at a time.

3. The water temp gauge actually works.

4. 98's do have an oil life monitor, they just don't tell you anything when its time for a change. You can find it in Auto-Tap

5. WS6s had single outlet exhaust (all others had duals)

6. Only year that Purple, Gold, and Green were available

7. Some very early Trans Ams came with LT1 style headrests

8. Rear hatch release was poorly designed and often caused problems releasing mechanism

9. Early model 98 Monsoon stereos didn't have capability to control 12-disc CD changer

10. 1998-1999 automatic transmission LS1s could be started in 1st gear even with the shifter in 2nd. Starting 2000, if you put the shifter in 2, it would start off in 2, even from a stop.

11. 1998-1999 LS1 cars had a smaller throttle body cam, which caused the throttle to open to WOT faster than 2000+ cars

12. 1998 cars had 28 lb fuel injectors from the factory

13. 1998-1999 cars had more restrictive exhaust manifolds

14. 1998-2000 cars had an LS1 intake with EGR

15. 1998 and some early 1999 cars had blue outside rear view mirrors (TA/Formula only)

16. 1998 only LS1 blocks had a much smaller cylinder sleeve that only tolerated a .005" hone

17. Last year F-body to use the old 15.5 gallon steel fuel tank.

18. Only year LS1 F-body to contain a gascap with a tether long enough to actually hang from the fuel door while open

19. Only year LS1 F-body to not contain the famous GM black box used in the event of an accident to record up to 5 seconds of pre-crash data

20. 1998 only cars had a different PCV system with the PCV valve located above the passenger side valve cover

21. 1998 most cars did not have an idle adjustment screw on the throttle body . Some 98 cars do have the idle throttle stop set screws .

22. 1998 cars have a completely different PCM from 99+ cars

23. 97-98 LS1's used a paper water pump gasket. The only gasket that isn't reuseable

Also be aware that if the engine "needs a rebuild" the block may be toast as it can't really be bored out.

Good stuff:

1.) Engine is still an LS1. Makes good power.

2.) T56 is a good trans. Can be modified to be great.

3.) Parts are somewhat cheap.

4.) Very easy to modify.

5.) Can fit some decent tires on the car.

Bad stuff:

1.) Rear axle is a joke.

2.) Clutch hydraulics can have issues when powershifting.

3.) Might have some piston slap.

4.) Some parts are discontinued.

5.) The dash pads are shitty in pretty much all the 93-02 cars.

If you have any other questions ask away.

Baeromez > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 09:50

HNNNNNGGGGG. Do it. IMO the Formula is the most desirable trim level for the 4th gens. It's a bit lighter than the Trans Am and the looks are a little more understated. Also, I've got a '98 Firebird sitting in my driveway, so... yeah.

CammedCTSV > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 11:24

If you want to add boost, 98 is hard to tune. Its a one year only operating system and wiring, so try to find a 99 or later car. Not saying it cant be done, but it is the only year that LS1 F-bodies had a fuel return system, and the computer is much slower than 99+ cars

CammedCTSV > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
03/18/2015 at 11:25

This is a myth based on spinning to 7000 rpm on stock rod bolts. Replace the bolts and it solves the issue

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 12:00

That's cool. If you are doing the dirty work the costs should be too bad. As for the Firebird, I've always liked them better than the Camaro for some reason. Good luck!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Arben72
03/18/2015 at 12:40

If I'm not mistaken, LS1's with the stock block don't take that much boost. If you want boost, you get an iron block 4.8, 5.3, or 6.0.

Arben72 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
03/18/2015 at 12:53

That was my plan as I can get an iron block for cheap.