I'm new and have a question

[CSCC 148]

Hey guys. This is my first post on the forum and I was hoping to get some information. I'm thinking of buying my brother-in-law's 95 Formula Firebird. It's in great shape and I am really interested in it.

I want to use the car for autocrossing, also, and was wondering about the differences between a Trans Am and a Formula car. I know both have the V8 and 6-speed, but did they have the same suspensions? I know the Formula doesn't have the body kit, and that's fine with me; I'm more concerned with any differences in handling (e.g. different spring rates or sway bay sizes, etc.) Are there and suspension differences?

After searching for an hour in the internet, I still couldn't find a diffinitive answer to these questions.

Thanks for your replies. I hope to get the car and bother you guys with more questions soon.

[Joe 1320]

The only difference between the two is cosmetic unless there is a difference in options. obviuosly a car without power windows, door locks, manual seats etc. will be lighter than a fully optioned out car.

[TraceZ]

Also, that Trans Am body kit adds extra weight, as a result the formula is lighter.

Look at the supporting vendors websites, lots of aftermarket suspension components are available for these cars.

Is sounds like its time to put that car on a diet and beef up the suspension.

it's easy to start with...
you can remove:

back seats
spare tire and jack
front and rear bumper supports
air conditioning
radio and speakers
carpet padding/noise insulation
t-top holders (if equipped)
carpet and trim in the trunk area
relocate the battery to the rear of the car for better balance
sunvisors

If you are able to strip the interior you can also get rid of the dash, airbags, glove box, center console.... I'm not sure what rules apply to the class you will compete in or how serious you are about winning.

You'll also want to maybe consider a brake upgrade.

[CSCC 148]

I'll be using the car in SCCA F-stock class, so that's why I'm concerned about the difference in the springs and swaybars--since you cannot change those in stock class (actually, you can change the front bar, but that's it)--only the shocks.

If the FOrmula is the same as a Trans Am (at least in the engine, tranny, and suspension areas) minus the body kit and some options, I think I'll be all over it. THanks for the info.

[Injuneer]

There was a "1LE" suspension option for these cars, that included upgraded suspension components. Can you use those, as long as it was an available option for the car you run?

[CSCC 148]

There was a "1LE" suspension option for these cars, that included upgraded suspension components. Can you use those, as long as it was an available option for the car you run?

I can (as long as it was available on the exact model year--1995 in this case), but the 1LE option also deleted several items from my understanding, and I would have to make the car an all 1LE car, which would take a lot of money to delete options.

So, if you upgrade an options package, you have to upgrade the entire package. You cannot pick and choose certain elements to use.

[Injuneer]

The big "delete" item, through the 95 model year was the A/C. After 95, A/C was available with 1LE, but then you had to have the WS6 Ram Air package to get the 1LE on the T/A or Formula.