HI , I was just currious, my brother purchased a 1989 Formula 350 Firebird and it didnt seem to be the same as all the others, it had like a factory cold air box, a set of looked like weird factory headers, and lexan T-Tops, I just have never seen one like that, does anyone know of or have seen a car like this, or could you give me any information about it if this is a special car. Thanks for you help and input.

 

sounds like it has some SLP stuff on it

 

Just out of curiosity, why do you think the airbox and headers were factory pieces? Any chance they had just been installed by a previous owner?

 

It really does sound like SLP stuff... SLP makes/Made a Cold Air Box conersion and the set of really nice shorty Headers When installed properly they could appear "Factory". It would surprise me if someone went thorough all that trouble and did not put on larger intake runner tubes as well.

The T-tops were made from Acylic, they were offered from 1989 throu 1991. I think they droped them due to problems with quality. Acrylic does not last as long as Glass...

John

 

Unless you are like me and have 4 perfect sets in dark storage.... im a lil tho

 

Well the car was bought new, and has a history, it was a girl that bought it and I dont think she knew what she was buying just it really ran and looked good, no offense and not saying girls dont know but this one dosent. The T-tops say LEXAN on them and they are really light. Also I have never seen headers like theese, they seem to be long tube but the collector on the driver side rolls around and actully becomes the Y pipe and crosses behind the oil pan before it makes its connection. I think there is something up with this car, is there a place I can look to get some specs about it? Thanks for your help. The car is a original Florida car but now is in Georgia, it need some work but I think its worth it, because I have never seen one like this.

 

THe SLP stuff could be Dealer installed, or you could buy it OTC. It very well could be a test car for a dealership. In theory the dealer could have set one up and looked at the feasability of selling more, by going on how well it sold and the reaction from customers.

When was the original purchase date, and what is the VIN.

The SLP stuff came into being around 1989/1990 ish. The headers your talking about sounds just like the ones I have on my car... They are about 2' long and they come around to a collector on the Passenger side where they join. They make a RH turn and then turn back to where the cat is.

In the rear of the car the dual exhaust (one on each side) was how every performance factory car came after 1987. Before that I am not sure. But the SLP Cat back system was 3" until it got to a "Glass pack" straight through muffler, on the opposite (Drivers) side there were dual 2" tubes that made a turn to the rear of the car. This is the EXACT same exhaust used on the 1991 & 1992 Firehawk.

Does the car have the Dual cats? If it does not that might play into the Dealer installed thing. Starting in 1989 All Formula 350's were to have Dual cats to get an extra 10 horses over the T/A & GTA, not all of them had it. Mid year it became true, and later in the year all GTA-350's (& possibly Trans Am 350 cars) also have it. From 1990-1992 All Formula 350 and GTA 350 cars have the setup. The dealer might have installed it so that it performed like the factory cars.

I hate to burst bubbles, but its not stock. GM never installed headers, or special one off cold air cleaners to be sold to the public on the 3rd gens. It just does not happen, especially to unexpecting girls who have no idea what they just bought. The Firehawk was not a GM option it was a conversion done by SLP.

At some car shows the SLP stuff does not detract from "Originlity" although it was a dealer installed option.

John

 

Thanks for all the info OKFOZ, I will have to look to check out the cat situation again, my brother just got the car a week ago. But I do know that was the way the car was bought from the dealer brand new, I wonder if maybe like you said that they may have installed the SLP options at the dealer. I will get the RPO codes and look at your site. Once again thanks for your imput. I just was currious if that set up was somewhat rare.

 

I hate to say this..but this post is worthless without pics...

 

 

O.K. I will try to get some, I dont have a digital camera but have a friend that has one, I will see what I can do. Thanks for all the input.