I figured I would start this thread to go ahead and document my new project, a 1997 Firebird Formula.
Some background:
My first car was a 1977 Pontiac Firebird. That car is really what was responsible for me becoming the enthusiast I am today. Originally, it was powered by and Oldsmobile 350, and a Turbo 350. I drove the wheels off that car for years, and planned on swapping in a Olds 455 with a TH400. With Covid, I ended up having some spare time, and a little extra cash, so I started gathering all the parts I needed to finally get my car back up and running with the new motor. Sadly, a fire started in the storage yard I had the car at. The back half was pretty messed up by the fire, and I made the choice to let it go. The car wasn't great when I got it, and with the new damage, it was beyond what I would be able to afford to repair.
That night, my wife did some looking around, and she found a potential project for me. I didn't think it was possible at first, but she found one, and I thought we couldn't afford it. I don't know how, but she got the cash together that night. It was a 1997 Formula, and while parts were kind of rough, it ran, drove, and had a good title. I go see the car, and it looks REALLY good. The interior looked almost new. Fired up nice and easy. Some leaks, but I REALLY wanted my car back. The owner was a younger guy, and we took a test drive. The chassis really left an impression on me. This car felt like it could corner well, and the LT1 felt really healthy. I didnt drive it long or hard, but I fell in love. My wife managed to talk him down a bit, and we signed the paper work, and I was thrilled. Never thought I would have a 4th gen, let alone for under $3000. Took the tops off, and drove it home. That is when I noticed some issues.
The acceleration was fantastic. Car responded great, motor pulled hard. The exhaust sounded great too! I was really enjoying myself, and then I noticed that the transmission didnt seem to want to shift at WOT. In fact, I hit the limiter on the 2-3 shift getting back to the highway. I was worried, but just focused on getting the car home. Also during this drive, I got familiar with the temp gauge on this car. Had me quite worried by the time I got home. I started doing my research, and that first night, I changed the oil, and did a thermostat. I found out that these cars tend to run warm, and I kind of relaxed. On my third drive, the first one where I was going to take my new car out and really enjoy it, the transmission lost 3-4. I was frustrated, but I do not give up easily.
Had to take care of a few things, so I had been limping the car around my town in second gear. Car had been doing fine, and I made sure to keep the trips short. Sadly, I started getting a misfire, and the SES light comes on. I use a little scanner I have, and it gives me 3 codes. 2 for the Mass Air Flow, and P1371. Joy. I clear the code to get home, and then I pull the intake tubing, and inspect my igntion system and try to diagnose this. Turns out, my intake tubing had some serious cracking and splitting. I ended up botching that back together with some duct tape. As for the P1371 code, it never came back. The engine still misfires, but it comes and goes.
Right now, the car is on a lift with my dad. We pulled the transmission last Monday, and Tuesday I had traded it in for a rebuilt unit from a reputable builder. Was a bit of a drive, but this guy was clearly a step above the closer options. While we were under the car, we saw how covered the engine and transmission was. Really is a mess right. So, my plan is to liquidate some of the stuff I still have from my first project, and use the funds to re do the front of my new motor. I am planning on replacing everything from the timing chain forward. All the gaskets,water pump, Opti, you name it. I am also going to rebuild the ignition system while I am at it. With everything replaced and sealed up, I should wind up with a rather reliable vehicle that will get me to and from what ever job I grab.
Long term, I am planning on doing a LS3/TR-6060 from a wrecked Camaro, and eventually some suspension work. I love cars that handle well and are responsive. From what I can feel, this Formula is going to be exactly what I want. Well, thank you guys for reading. I am going to post some pictures and updates of the other stuff I have found so far. If you have any questions, hit me up, and I will be happy to answer them for you.
Some background:
My first car was a 1977 Pontiac Firebird. That car is really what was responsible for me becoming the enthusiast I am today. Originally, it was powered by and Oldsmobile 350, and a Turbo 350. I drove the wheels off that car for years, and planned on swapping in a Olds 455 with a TH400. With Covid, I ended up having some spare time, and a little extra cash, so I started gathering all the parts I needed to finally get my car back up and running with the new motor. Sadly, a fire started in the storage yard I had the car at. The back half was pretty messed up by the fire, and I made the choice to let it go. The car wasn't great when I got it, and with the new damage, it was beyond what I would be able to afford to repair.
That night, my wife did some looking around, and she found a potential project for me. I didn't think it was possible at first, but she found one, and I thought we couldn't afford it. I don't know how, but she got the cash together that night. It was a 1997 Formula, and while parts were kind of rough, it ran, drove, and had a good title. I go see the car, and it looks REALLY good. The interior looked almost new. Fired up nice and easy. Some leaks, but I REALLY wanted my car back. The owner was a younger guy, and we took a test drive. The chassis really left an impression on me. This car felt like it could corner well, and the LT1 felt really healthy. I didnt drive it long or hard, but I fell in love. My wife managed to talk him down a bit, and we signed the paper work, and I was thrilled. Never thought I would have a 4th gen, let alone for under $3000. Took the tops off, and drove it home. That is when I noticed some issues.
The acceleration was fantastic. Car responded great, motor pulled hard. The exhaust sounded great too! I was really enjoying myself, and then I noticed that the transmission didnt seem to want to shift at WOT. In fact, I hit the limiter on the 2-3 shift getting back to the highway. I was worried, but just focused on getting the car home. Also during this drive, I got familiar with the temp gauge on this car. Had me quite worried by the time I got home. I started doing my research, and that first night, I changed the oil, and did a thermostat. I found out that these cars tend to run warm, and I kind of relaxed. On my third drive, the first one where I was going to take my new car out and really enjoy it, the transmission lost 3-4. I was frustrated, but I do not give up easily.
Had to take care of a few things, so I had been limping the car around my town in second gear. Car had been doing fine, and I made sure to keep the trips short. Sadly, I started getting a misfire, and the SES light comes on. I use a little scanner I have, and it gives me 3 codes. 2 for the Mass Air Flow, and P1371. Joy. I clear the code to get home, and then I pull the intake tubing, and inspect my igntion system and try to diagnose this. Turns out, my intake tubing had some serious cracking and splitting. I ended up botching that back together with some duct tape. As for the P1371 code, it never came back. The engine still misfires, but it comes and goes.
Right now, the car is on a lift with my dad. We pulled the transmission last Monday, and Tuesday I had traded it in for a rebuilt unit from a reputable builder. Was a bit of a drive, but this guy was clearly a step above the closer options. While we were under the car, we saw how covered the engine and transmission was. Really is a mess right. So, my plan is to liquidate some of the stuff I still have from my first project, and use the funds to re do the front of my new motor. I am planning on replacing everything from the timing chain forward. All the gaskets,water pump, Opti, you name it. I am also going to rebuild the ignition system while I am at it. With everything replaced and sealed up, I should wind up with a rather reliable vehicle that will get me to and from what ever job I grab.
Long term, I am planning on doing a LS3/TR-6060 from a wrecked Camaro, and eventually some suspension work. I love cars that handle well and are responsive. From what I can feel, this Formula is going to be exactly what I want. Well, thank you guys for reading. I am going to post some pictures and updates of the other stuff I have found so far. If you have any questions, hit me up, and I will be happy to answer them for you.