what are the differences between the firebird, trans am, and firebird formula? i know the firebird is a V6 bottom end, and the formula is meant to be an all out race car, but thats about it. any enlightenment would be great.

 

they are all the same car, with slight upgrades, the most obvious being the engine...

 

Firebird = a base car, sometimes with options such as leather, power options like power windows/locks. 9 times out of 10 a V6 car

Trans Am = Kind of like a Civic EX to the Civic LX(LX being the firebird) The Trans Am has nicer rims, leather, Bose stereo, T-Tops, body cladding such as a different front. More agressive look. Can be equiped with the V6 or a V8

Formula = A firebird like car. Base model looks, wheels, kinda downplayed on the appearence. It makes up for it on performance. Being the car is trimmed with the cheap-o cars options and stuff it it lighter. This car ALLWAYS has a V8 in it(275hp underrated and 310tq 93-96/320hp once again underrated and 365tq 97-02). The suspension has hints of a 1LE package meaning a stiffer ride, stronger componets, but also lighter componets in the same sense. These cars never have T-Tops or are a convertable as it adds weight.


The Firebird is the noob or non enthusiest car of the bunch, Trans Am is the looker of the group but can still be down right nasty, Formula is the car for the guy that wants fast and could give a rats *** about all the stupid BS.

 

Then there is the bad *** fire hawk. I almost traded my C5 for a few years back.

 

The Fire Hawk looks nice and very agressive but there is no mech. differences between that and a Formula of the same year other than a ram air hood that gives around 15 to 20hp. I like the Fire-Hawks though.

 

a hood that ads 20hp?

 

That is what they advertise to justify the $2000 to $3000 price jump. But yea it does add power because unlike many fake hoods it is actually a Ram Air assembly and is designed alot better than the air box's on the non-ram air cars.

 

so its a hood and lid...for 3 grand?
see picture for another real ram air system...

[IMG]local://upfiles/858/86ED826794F441D48AAFDD00FBEC13CC.jpg[/IMG]

 

Yea I dont buy into it, it makes the car look super agressive and adds a lil power. But you get other things for that money like 17 inch chrome rims, Firehawk badging, a better resale value.

If anyone is plannign on buying a F-Body I'd say gun for a 99-02 Formula or SS M6. These cars are low 13 second cars stock, I have a buddy that had a 02 SS ram air and put a SLP lid)smoother air entry for the ram air routing) and a set of tires(DR's) and was hitting 12.7's@110 or so.

 

indeed..i also know someone with very minor mods (the most important being the good driver mod) with an SS M6 that ran in the 12s...