89Formula3

A buddy of mines coworker is selling a 92 Formula 350 with 115k the car is pretty orginal except for some common bolt on parts paints fadeing a bit aswell.I wasn't gonna buy the car but just wanted to get a feel for it. This was my first time driving a 350 formula and it pulled pretty good but it just wasn't as fun as my 305tpi t5.

I personaly love shifting gears on my own. I have a 90 5.0 notchback auto all original. I love the car and all but it just doesn't have that fun factor like the formula.

I wanna see what most here think is better from a driving/fun standpoint? A thirdgen Formula 350 auto or 305 tpi stick.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

L98 350 auto
LB9 305 5spd
L69 305 5spd
L69 305 auto
LG4 305 5spd
LG4 305 auto
LB9 305 auto
everything else...

If I already had a LB9 5spd I wouldn't get all that excited about getting a 350, but if I had nothing and was choosing I'd pick the 350. The only really annoying part of the automatic is that 700R4's are junk, and they're expensive to rebuild.

89Formula3

I was reffering to the LB9 5spd.

I don't know even though the 350 had higher HP rateing i think the 5 spd more than makes up for that in fun and take off.

The 350 i drove felt good the guy had loads of paper work documenting it's maintiance but i just wasn't as impressed as i thought i was gonna be.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

Fun to drive, LB9 5-speed > L98 AT, imho.

Jason E

I find the smooth torque of the 350 addicting...so that's my pick.

Drew, how the hell could you possibly pick an LG4 auto over an LB9 auto??? Either that's a typo, or you enjoy a minimum 25-30hp and 40 lb/ft less. That simply makes no sense...

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

WRONG

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Hey everyone is welcome to their own opinion... Some people value a manual transmission over the 350 auto combo. That's fine, except the T5 is a POS, so is the 305. The LB9 paired with the 5spd is about as good as any 305 ever gets. The only way to improve on a LB9 is to swap it for a 350. At least with a 350 car you get a decent engine. If you push it, the T5 is a liability and will need to be upgraded anyway. Replacing an auto with a decent manual isn't much different then replacing a T5 when it fails. It's easier to find a set of pedals, and cut a hole in the floor then it is to find a good used V8 T5.

As for the LG4 over the LB9... Most LB9's are weak, they're extremely boring to drive. At least the LG4 is a 4bbl and has potential to respond to modifications. Even easier to swap to a 350 when that time comes. Many of the LB9 auto cars I've driven were as boring as the L03 auto cars. Aside from a technological advantage, the carbed cars are more fun to drive.

hardon85

Personally I think shifting your own gears is the only way to go, I have always looked at any performance car that is an auto is a waste. As for the reliability issue I guess I would rather have the T-5 since from what I have heard and read if you don't abuse them the T-5 will run for a long time but with a 700r4 it seems like it's not if but when the tranny will break no matter how they're treated.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

As for 700r4's I've owned three, and they treated me as well as I treated them. Regular fluid changes, and allowing them to warm before putting alot of stress on them is the key to r4 longevity. Yes, warm.

Many hot rodders have switched (upgraded) over to 700's from other autos earlier autos like power glides, 2004rs and so on.

I manually shift my 700's often. I decide where the shift points are.

UNCLE TOM

iTrader: (1)

shifting gears is half the fun in driving our cars . not everyone is in a drag race , not everyone has a 400hp. engine , not everyone wants to impress others with a street burn-out . i would venture to say that there are many out there that have never driven a stick shift . many that do not even know how to drive a standard . just my thoughts , all you "shiftless" people are missing half the fun .

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

Yes I am shiftless. But I do shift w/o the clutch much of the time. I am able to do a burn out with both a stick, or an auto. Both of my camaros have 700's in them. They are in great shape, and I'm not about to trash them.

KMK454

I passed over a boatload of very nice, low-mile L98 automatic cars. For me, a sports car must have 3-pedals. This is non-negotiable. The 350 is the better engine, but the T-5 and a properly optioned rear-end put the LB9 car right with the 350. Here are some figures I have from an old magazine article comparing the L98 B4C to an LB9 T5 B4C:

Top Speed L98: 152 MPH
Top Speed LB9: 150 MPH

The L98 has the slight advantage all around in speed and acceleration, but it's not significant enough to make a manual guy want an L98. I think a lot of people blow its advantage out of proportion (this is a STOCK vs. STOCK comparison!).

As far as collectibility and value, that's a little odd with the thirdgen. We'll use the firstgen as an example: usually the biggest engine with the 4-speed and all the performance options is the one you want (or a 302 Z/28 with a 4-speed). Autos bring money but the 4-speeds are what people really want. With thirdgens, it's a little weird; the best engine isn't available with a manual, yet the manual isn't significantly slower. I think desirability will vary depending upon model; for example, a Z28 or IROC-Z will be a wash between an LB9 T5 or L98 auto, but a 1LE will be more desirable in LB9 T5 than an L98 auto (I'm surprised they even made their 1LE road-racing package with a 4-speed slushbox. This wasn't the era of paddle-shifted F1 automated-clutch gearboxes).

87 player bird

No clutch, no point if buying a performance car.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

I agree with you KMK. There is no replacement for a stick. Especially when you need to down shift. Try going from third to second with an r4. Feels like the drive shaft and u joints are getting recycled.

I had a MGB when I was younger, and that car was made for a standard. No clutch, no stick, no clutch peddle, no sports car. I still like my Camaros w/r4's

eseibel67

The auto/manual debate is as old as the hills and it has an easy answer.

For drag racing, commuting in traffic, or just getting the famliy to the lake, auto is a must.

If you're driving just for the sake of driving, manual transmission is the one. And a paddle/button/dual gate automotaic is not the same, it's not even close to the same driving experience as a spring clutch with a gearbox.

As for performance third gens, in order to get the 10 extra HP of the L98, you get saddled with a slushbox. No thanks - make mine an LB9 with a 5 speed and a 3.45 axle.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

It's rare to hear anyone talk good about the 5 liter on TGO, or anywhere else. I have 2 305's w/slush. I still like them both. If I could snap my fingers, I would go stick, but I have other expenses at the moment As far as slushboxes go, Ill take the 700 over the 200, 350, or the 400, and the dreaded powerglide.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Except... Horsepower isn't the best way to measure thirdgens. Torque is what matters. It's only a 10hp difference, but the 350 had a 45ft lb boost over the best 305. That's about the same difference between the low output 305 and the mighty LB9 5spd.

I've had several 5spds over the years, so I know what I'm missing. It doesn't really bother me. I've got a T56 sitting in the corner for when the 700R4 in the Formula finally kicks the bucket (it's been iffy since 1999). But I'm only going to do the swap because 700R4's are expensive to build right, and it's even harder to find a trans shop to do the work.

KMK454

The hp/tq gain is significant in the 350, but this was the era of less efficient slushboxes with 4 speeds. The L98 auto combo is quicker in a straight line, but it's not this night and day difference that people make it out to be. If the WC T5 with 3.42 rear gears could have handled the 350s hp, it would definitely be quicker than the L98 auto. Nowadays we have more efficient 5, 6 and even 7-speed autos, automated manuals, SMGs, F1 paddles, etc., in sports cars and they outdo 5 and 6-speed manuals for efficiency, consistency, and acceleration figures. The Porsche 911s with the PDK automatics are blazingly fast (and yet I'd still take the slower 6-speed!).

Modifications change the game entirely, though. If the goal was to build a highly modified car instead of keeping one factory stock, then it's best to start with the L98 auto and build from there (T56 swap or built auto).

eseibel67

Your patience is commendable. Wating for that 700R4 to calve.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

It just won't die. It had a mystery noise from the time I bought it, that could have been from a cracked flywheel. Fixed that and it made less odd noises. Then 6 or 7 years ago it had some kind of problem that made neutral, reverse, and park forward gears. It's done that twice and both times I got it to come back out of it. I've driven the hell out of it, and it refuses to lay down. But then I've had half a dozen junk 700R4's. They just don't last all that well. 75-100k miles is about all the further they seem to go.
.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

You said this one won't die. How many miles do you have on it?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The car is at 125k or so, the last 30k of that has been while I've owned the car.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

You would have to admit it is a good testimonial to the 700.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Personally I would opt for a 305/manual car; it's easier to swap a 400 where a 305 used to be, than a manual where an auto used to be.

Oh wait... already did that...

Next question?