My New Car! - Black WS9 "HellS1"

[kTrainHurricane]

Well as some of you know, I sold my T on Monday. A kid offered me $800 more than I paid for it, and let me keep the GNX/GTA rims (which are for sale!). Seeing as though the rims were included when I bought the car, it was a deal I couldn't refuse. That morning I went onto craigslist just to browse around, and came across what is now my 1998 Pontiac Firebird Formula, complete with a BEASTLY LS1 motor. The kid was firm on his asking price but I managed to haggle and get myself what I think is a great deal on a great car. Here is the info:

Factory Options (RPO Codes)
AAA: 4-Way Manual Seat Adjuster
AU3: Lock Control, Side DR, Elec
AU0: Lock Control, Remote Entry - Keyless Entry (Domestic)
FE2: Suspension System, Ride Handling
GU6: Axel Rear, 3.42 Ratio
G80: Axel Positraction, Limited Slip
J65: Brake System, PWR FRT & RR Disc
LS1: 5.7L GEN III V8 Engine
MM6: Transmission, MAN 6 SPD, Borg Warner
NP5: Steering Wheel, Leather Wrapped
PA6: Wheel, Styled, Painted
UA6: Theft Deterrent SYS
WS9: Model Conversion, Formula
W66: Merchandised PKG, Formula
9TH: Suspension - Computer Selected, RR, RH

Performance
Pacesetter Ceramic Coated Longtube Headers
Hooker Aerochamber Catback Exhaust
3" Exhaust Cutout
OEM GM LS6 Intake Manifold (Z06 Vette)
Ported and Polished 78mm Throttle Body (Z06 Vette)
Throttle Body Coolant Bypass
SLP Air Lid
SLP Cold Air Induction System
SLP Smooth Bellow
Hypertech 160* Thermostat

Drivetrain
Carbon Kevlar Synchronizers
LS6 Clutch and Flywheel (Z06 Vette)
Drill Mod (?)
1-2, 3-4, 5-6 gear assemblies replaced alolng with the blocker rings
1 and 2 gear Solid Keys, 3,4,5,6 gear Billet Keys
New OEM Slave Cylinder
New OEM Master Cylinder
Bronze Linkage Bushing

Suspension/Chasis/Braking
UMI Adjustable Panhard Bar
UMI Control Arm Relocation Brackets
J&M Lower Control Arms
Eibach Pro Kit Lowering Springs
Bilstein Front Shocks
KYB 8-Way Adjustable Rear Shocks
Cross Drilled/Slotted Brake Rotors


Exterior Mods
Glasstek WS6 Hood
Eurolights 8000k HID Headlight Conversion
17x9 (245/35/17) and 17x11 (315/35/17) American Racing Torque Thrust II Wheels
Magnaflow 3" Dual/Dual Polished Aluminum Tips
Clear Corner Blinker Lights, Tinted
Tinted Tail Lights
Rear Fender Lips Shaved
Autografics "FORMULA" Decal Package

Electronics
MTX 5500 10" Subwoofer
JL Audio StealthBox
Jensen 460 watt Amp (first thing that needs to go, lol...)
Custom "FORMULA" Head Unit Mount
Autopage Alarm System

 

[kTrainHurricane]

By no means does this car replace the Buick, but to be honest its faster, and it feels a LOT faster. But again, it can never replace a Turbo Buick!

 

[87 Pete]

Very nice, i love the rims.

I've got a black TA and LS1's are AWESOME bang-for-the buck... plus I drive it anywhere and don't have to worry about getting stolen/hit etc. like my GN

Pete

 

[TurboBob]

the drill mod means drilling out a restrictor in the clutch cylinder (slave cylinder I think) so the clutch will engage faster.

Bob

 

[WH1_T-Type]

My friend had the exact same car, but in blue (so I guess not the EXACT same car! lol)

My wife backed it up with the drivers door open and caught it on a pole...oops.

Love that car though! That is great looking. Good find.

 

[DJ Red Barron]

That's a bad ass Formula! While you may not feel like a Formy can replace your TR, you do indeed have a car that is quick as hell and reliable. I have seen a few LS1s go for 140k+ miles, putting it down a 10-second quarter mile at a time and not bat an eye.

Is that the hood that is WS6 up front, but has the Firehawk heat extractors toward the back? If so, I handled several group purchases for those hoods back when the original manufacturer (US Exotics) was building them. Those hoods are awesome.

 

[TurboBob]

getting rid of the amp? what model?

B

nice car BTW, a friend has a black 2000 Firehawk. I like my 94, a very nice driver.

 

[GNBRETT]

Nice score! Those rims are quite tasteful on that car. Looks awful warm there to. Ur right tho, she ain't no TR. I like it tho. Get an STS kit. Ummm yea, that Jenson's gotta go.

 

[mat231v6]

nice

 

[kTrainHurricane]

WOW guys thanks! I must say I am both pleased and honored to have such great feedback on the car! I will do my best to reply to everyone here...

87 Pete - EXACTLY! That hit the nail on the head.

TurboBob - thank you very much for the explanation of the "drill" mod. As far as the amp, i'm not exactly sure what model it is. Its a Jensen and is 460 watts, with blue lights that come on when the car is turned on. I'm sure if you google it you can find it; if not, I will check tomorrow and get back to you!

DJ Red Barron - I believe this is the hood you're talking about, but I'm not 100% sure. I DO know that the "nostrils" are not functional --> there is a mesh grille but behind it is solid metal. However, I'm going to my buddy's tomorrow to borrow a Dremel, and am going to cut a long rectangle on the underside of the hood right in front of the SLP, and then I'm going to individually drill into the holes of the grill in front to make it functional

GNBRETT - although that is indeed a nice kit, if I were to go forced induction I'd go with a Procharger. I just love the whine! Either way, my friend (with the Dremel, lol) is a BIG GM/LS1 guy and has a Camaro SS that runs 10s. He's basically got full bolt-ons and a 220 shot of nitrous with a fully built auto tranny. Anyway, he was saying that the rear end of these cars goes out pretty easily launching off the line hard with spray or forced induction, so I honestly don't even know if I would want to take the chance. Remember, I sold the TR and bought this for practicality reasons...I need a DD to get my ass to school and back hassle free!


Thanks again guys for all the compliments! I notice a lot of people like the Torque Thrust II's, and I agree that they look pretty sick on the car (especially from behind, wrapped in 315s!)

 

[TurboBob]

...I need a DD to get my ass to school and back hassle free!
......

So mentioning that there is a Scanmaster for the LS1 is not the feedback you were looking for?

Bob

 

[TurboBob]

does it look like this?

I need a cheap amp to put in my 94

Bob

 

[kTrainHurricane]

Not sure if any of these are doubles, but this is the last handful I found to throw on here!

 

[kTrainHurricane]

So mentioning that there is a Scanmaster for the LS1 is not the feedback you were looking for?

Bob

Oh God!!!

haha - no, not really what I was looking to hear. But since you've spilled the beans, I have to Google now.


The amp is Jensen Power Plus 420* not 460, sorry. Link:
Jensen Power Plus 420 2-Channel Amps Car Amplifiers Car Audio Car Audio, Video, & GPS Navigation - Sonic Electronix
To be honest though, for what (i think) it's worth, I'm just gonna keep it for now. I'm kind of a big audiophile, and the amp I want to replace this with is going to cost me a hefty amount of money I don't have. Plus, it pushes my little 10" MTX extremely well. I guess the hatchback really does make a big difference in car audio...

 

[TurboBob]

neither amp has much power, but to drive a small sub it should work fine. I actually have a stealth sub in 'BigBird'. The amp that was in there I want to put in the GN, so I want to find another small amp.

But the small amps don't cost much so I won't have to look far.

Also, after it rains, be careful opening the hatch as the spoiler holds water which runs into the car when you open it...... (like right on your speakers)

Bob

 

[DJ Red Barron]

DJ Red Barron - I believe this is the hood you're talking about, but I'm not 100% sure. I DO know that the "nostrils" are not functional --> there is a mesh grille but behind it is solid metal. However, I'm going to my buddy's tomorrow to borrow a Dremel, and am going to cut a long rectangle on the underside of the hood right in front of the SLP, and then I'm going to individually drill into the holes of the grill in front to make it functional

...although that is indeed a nice kit, if I were to go forced induction I'd go with a Procharger. I just love the whine! Either way, my friend (with the Dremel, lol) is a BIG GM/LS1 guy and has a Camaro SS that runs 10s. He's basically got full bolt-ons and a 220 shot of nitrous with a fully built auto tranny. Anyway, he was saying that the rear end of these cars goes out pretty easily launching off the line hard with spray or forced induction, so I honestly don't even know if I would want to take the chance. Remember, I sold the TR and bought this for practicality reasons...I need a DD to get my ass to school and back hassle free!

Yea, the read end is the weak link in those cars. A good 12-bolt would be advisable if you're gonna go very much in the added power department.

The tried and true mods I've seen work on these cars is heads, cam, LTs, drag radials, skinnies & gears (some of which you already have). I'm sure your buddy with the 10 second car would probably agree. But hell, if this is your DD, it's already damned quick as it sits with the existing mods. If I were you, I'd just drive it as she sits.

 

[kTrainHurricane]

The tried and true mods I've seen work on these cars is heads, cam, LTs, drag radials, skinnies & gears (some of which you already have). I'm sure your buddy with the 10 second car would probably agree. But hell, if this is your DD, it's already damned quick as it sits with the existing mods. If I were you, I'd just drive it as she sits.

I already posted this on the "other" site, but here is what will be done, in order:
Front Tires (almost bald right now!)
DiabloSport Predator Chip/Tuner
Nitto 555R Drag Radials in Rear
Speakers+Amps - probably some CDT Audio's with Precision Power "Art Series" amps, period. Only amps I will ever buy...
AND THAT'S IT!!!

 

[artrenee10]

That is absolutely gorgeous....

 

[alwayscode390]

Dude, what is a GOOD haggle price.

Please realize I am NOT doing this JUST to be nosey ... but I am about to sell my 4th gen, thanks bro ---

 

[DailyDrifter]

Nice. Those LS1's love to be sprayed , as Barron said the rears are a weak link. Badass looking car nonetheless.