Newbie from Central Jersey (Born & Raise from Brick city)

[dav3455]

Hey guys, just got my new toy 89 f-body formula, which I believe has a stock 305 but not to sure since I'm a straight newbie with fb's....hopefully I can get some tips on my winter project on what type of mods I can throw in this engine....thanks guys

[WiMiMc]

welcome!

the easiest way to find out is pop the hood and look at the sticker near the hood latch, if it says 5.0L hen you have a 305, if it says 5.7L you have a 350.

hows the body and does it run well?

[WildBillyT]

welcome!

the easiest way to find out is pop the hood and look at the sticker near the hood latch, if it says 5.0L hen you have a 305, if it says 5.7L you have a 350.

hows the body and does it run well?

With the exception being if there is evidence of an engine swap, which is not uncommon.

Welcome to the board!

[dav3455]

Thanks WiMiMc,
The body is in good condition and rust free, the paint job does looks like it was a (Macco job) since the original color was red and now black but of course they didnt sand or prime....I will check on the engine (thanks for the tip) when I get home from work. I just gutted out the entire interior and upgrading it with camaros seats (black)

It runs ok, but smokes when I start it up so I'm debating if I should swap the engine or upgrade the exsiting engine. Not to sure yet..

[dav3455]

With the exception being if there is evidence of an engine swap, which is not uncommon.

Welcome to the board!

Thanks Bill, I have been searching for mods but nothing is making sence so it might have been swap, I will have pics up later on in the day.

[Whiplash Performance]

Welcome!@

[btownws6]

welcome lets see some pics

[dav3455]

Just got the pics, WiMiMc you were right about the sticker (thanks) it does say 5.0 v8, so I will take it that this is a stock 305 with a Elderbrock carb? not to sure but dont like it at all... lol

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dav3455/V8305Motor.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dav3455/V8305Motor.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dav3455/Rear.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dav3455/Front1.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f84/dav3455/Front.jpg


Let me know what you think guys, I have so far full interior, t/a taillights coming by Monday, hid kit, trying to find a full ground effect with a gta hood, also want to paint it but not sure what shop down in Central jersey... and would like to dress up the enigine or replace it with a 350? not to sure what type of trans im assuming its also stock..

[dav3455]

Just got the pics, WiMiMc you were right about the sticker (thanks) it does say 5.0 v8, so I will take it that this is a stock 305 with a Elderbrock carb? not to sure but dont like it at all... lol

Let me know what you think guys, I have so far full interior, t/a taillights coming by Monday, hid kit, trying to find a full ground effect with a gta hood, also want to paint it but not sure what shop down in Central jersey... and would like to dress up the enigine or replace it with a 350? not to sure what type of trans im assuming its also stock..


Also has a full dual flowmaster exhaust...sounds very sweet..

[WildBillyT]

Car looks very nice. I can't see the carb, just the air cleaner lid which says Edelbrock on it. Can you read anything on the intake manifold (the silver thing the upper radiator hose is going to)?

[dav3455]

Car looks very nice. I can't see the carb, just the air cleaner lid which says Edelbrock on it. Can you read anything on the intake manifold (the silver thing the upper radiator hose is going to)?

Thanks Bill, Hmm once I go back home I will remove the lid and see if I can get any info on what type of carb it has, most likley it is also stock since the previous owners never really did any mods on this car.

I also open a tread to discuss a good enigine swap for this fb :wink:

[omarcamaro]

welcome are you still in newark

[edpontiac91]

:w00t: Welcome aboard. Great to see another 3rd Gen Formula saved from the bone yard. LOL

[maroman88]

89 would be TBI (throttle body injection) like the chevy trucks had back then... doesnt appear that a carb was added from the pics shown. my 88 camaro was TBI originally, now its carb'd... theres a ton of info on TBI upgrades on the internet, i bought stuff from this site... http://www.cfm-tech.com/GMTBIPerformanceParts.htm i bought a TB spacer, ported throttle body, and a few other things back in the day

[NJ Torque]

Welcome.

[Tru2Chevy]

Welcome to the club!

Being that your car is an 89, it is very likely a 305 TBI, not carb (as mentioned before). '87 was the last year for a stock carb in an f-body. There are TONS of free and cheap mods you can do to these engines to perk them up and keep you happy until you have everything together for an engine swap.

What HID setup did you get? Just bulbs and ballasts, or did you get housings and projectors too?

- Justin

[BigRocsFirebird]

Welcome!

[dav3455]

welcome are you still in newark

na, move down to Middletown with the wife...north newark (summer ave) is where I'm from.... :lol:

[chrisfrom nj]

welcome

[dav3455]

:w00t: Welcome aboard. Great to see another 3rd Gen Formula saved from the bone yard. LOL

lol no problem :wink:

[dav3455]

Welcome to the club!

Being that your car is an 89, it is very likely a 305 TBI, not carb (as mentioned before). '87 was the last year for a stock carb in an f-body. There are TONS of free and cheap mods you can do to these engines to perk them up and keep you happy until you have everything together for an engine swap.

What HID setup did you get? Just bulbs and ballasts, or did you get housings and projectors too?

- Justin

thanks, lol taught all this time it was carb :-| not to familer with tbi setups...
with the his, I bought the projectors with bulb and ballast for about 100 bucks.

[Tru2Chevy]

with the his, I bought the projectors with bulb and ballast for about 100 bucks.

Good....was hoping you would have projectors in new housings for 'em.

Post up before / after pics of them when you do the install.

- Justin

[V]

Welcome.

that rear hatch setup intrigues me. the hatch itself, glass section at least is from an 86 fbody(could be camaro or firebird). The spoiler is originally from an 87-90 trans am, GTA or formula, but the side extensions have been cut off. The stock wing is a rubber/foam type of material the degrades over time so thats probably why they were cut off, OR the glass hatch didnt have the proper mounting clips for the wing arms.
also it has a base model firebird hood on it currently, the formy hoods have a bulge on the drivers side. Id say try to get one of those hoods instead of the trans am ones.

[greenformula92]

car doesn't look bad, its a good start.....and welcome to the board