Jebadias

I just bought an 88 Firebird for my wife. It has 15" tires and some firebird badging on it. Just to look at it you would think it's a ho hum V6. It has the 305 TBI engine in it though, and the suspension is tighter than my 85 T/A ever was.
Now I could believe either a real good conversion job to a V8, including suspension and stuff, or a hurt Formula repaired with V6 donor car parts. Decoding my vin tells me that it is in fact a firebird, and it came with the 305. I was always under the impression that you needed at least the formula option for this. Can anyone give me some historical insight? BTW, the VIN reads 1G2FS21E9JLxxxxxx. Thank you.

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Formerly a fairly quick 92 RS 305TBI 5-speed. Now just a stock 305 TBI Firebird.
***WARNING*** If you value your car, don't let the wife drive.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

The throttle body 305 was available as an option in the base firebird, with the 2.8 liter V6 being standard. The tbi 305 was standard in the Formula with the TPI 305 and TPI 350 being optional. The suspension probably feels better because the V8 required stiffer front springs, and it's always possible that the car came with an upgraded suspension. On the Camaros the RPO for the upgraded suspension was F41. It may or may not be the same on the Pontiac.

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Jebadias

OK, I never heard about a V8 option for the base model. Wish they still did that. As far as the suspension though, if it came with some heavy duty package wouldn't they have the 16" rims on it? They are more than just stiffer springs. This thing rides like a rock. Very comparable to my 85 T/A. My 92 RS rode much smoother. Of course the suspension could have been changed, but I kind of doubt it. How would I find out if it has a better suspension (Like the F41)? I have no codes in the glove box. Come to think about it, I have never seen a car with them (Maybe the RPO sticker is just a myth). What was changed? The size of the swaybars as well as springs and stuff? I'll have to pull the mics out when I get home. Thanks

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Formerly a fairly quick 92 RS 305TBI 5-speed. Now just a stock 305 TBI Firebird.
***WARNING*** If you value your car, don't let the wife drive.

[This message has been edited by Jebadias (edited January 12, 2001).]

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

All Formulas have the WS6 suspension.

All thirdgens, you could always get a V8 engine with the base model. From 82-87 you could get the LG4 carb, and from 88-92 you could get the LO3 TBI.

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West Coast GM Shootout 2001!
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
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89FirebirdUK

I have a base firebird with a V8, 305 TBI and 15" rims.

As for suspension the RPO codes I have listed are:

FE1 - SUSPENSION SYSTEM, SOFT RIDE

6XT - SPRING, COMPUTER SELECTED, FRONT LEFT HAND

7XT - SPRING, COMPUTER SELECTED, FRONT RIGHT HAND

8UX - COMPUTER SELECTED, FRONT LEFTHAND SPRING----(ALONG WITH GXW/6ZX)
SPRING, COMPUTER SELECTED, RIGHT LEFT HAND

I'm not sure if the above differs on a V6 firebird ?

For pics of my bird have a look at

Geoff's Bird

Geoff

MilehighBird

iTrader: (1)

If you can't find the rpo sheet in your glove box,you can climb under the car and check the springs.If they are the originals they should have tags on them with a three letter code.That might help figure out what suspension option you have.

avro206

Or you could go to youe local GM parts dept with your VIN# and be real nice and see if they can print you up a sheet detailing all the RPOs your car has. At least in Canada you can