StangKilla

im getting a new car (used but new to me :p) and i really want to get a trans am and since im going to buy it used i dont know what the diff between a formula and trans am are, besides the hood and rims and ram air. and you can add those on fairly easy to a formual to make it lok like a trans but not really be one, i think, so does anyone know the diff vin numbers for the cars or anything to look for to tell the diff. thanks.

unit213

First off, welcome to the very best website in the world and I'm not talking just LS1 related.

The main thing you want to make sure you get is the LS1 engine. I'm not sure about VIN #'s. I could go into detail about the differences, but I think you're better off having guys post pics of their cars and see for yourself. Basically, the difference is in appearance only.

Post up guys!

Dan

VIP1

Here is some info on the differences between the T/A and Formula

The T/A and formula have differnt front and rear bumpers and the T/A also has side skirts. The T/A also costs more than the Formula.

T/A
Auto comes with 3.23 in the rear dif
Leather Interior is standard
T-tops are standard
Chrome Wheels standard

Formula
Auto comes with 2.73 in the rear, but can be optioned with 3.23 in the rear
Leather is optional
T-Tops are optional
Silver painted wheels standard, Chrome Wheels optional

Firehawk (98 + models)
Available on T/A 98+ (not sure about after 2000)
Available on Formula 98+

WS6 (98+ models)
Available on T/A 98+
Available on Fomula 98-2000

Those are the biggest differences. There most likely are others (radio?). Make sure you get a CarFax (www.carfax.com) to make sure that the car in question is a true T/A or Formula and to see its history (accidents, etc.). Sometimes the dealership will pay for a CarFax. A dealership once tried to sell me what looked like a T/A WS6 but had the VIN of a stock Formula. They did pay for a CarFax and thats when I noticed the fraud. They shot themselves in the foot (figuratively). I went to another dealership and bought a new Formula. The freebee CarFax should at least tell you the Make and Model of the car, which would tell you if its a T/A or Formula.

--VIP1

slow

iTrader: (7)

Most of this is correct, a couple additions/corrections.

all V8 birds will show up as a forumla on carfax, regardless if its a stripper Formula, or a loaded Firehawk TA, or WS6. So the dealer did not shoot themself in the foot, other than the fact, that they did not know this. Knowledge they should have had, but cost them a sale over it.

1998 hawks did not exist "officially" there are 8-12 that slipped out.

Chrome rims were not standard all years.

and t-tops became standard on the forumlas in 02.

Carfax also does not tell all accidents, only ones that effect the title are guaranted to be listed. sometimes they do list others (normally large accidents)

also, the vin is not decodable to tell oprions, ect, Check the drivers door for "WS6" listed in the option codes. ff its a WS6 car.

Ryan.

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

My 02 T/A vert. came with 2.73s.When i first started visiting this board,i was told i would have 3.23s..not true.

Maybe only on the verts,i really don't know.

96 T-Top Bird

Go with a Formula, their cooler

The main differences are cosmetic as you can tell (high rise spoiler, side skirts, etc)

As long as you get one with an LS1 engine your set

Oh and my Formula came with 3.42 gears But I have an M6.

Pics in the sig.

Good luck.

2000LS1

sigh...
1993-2002 F-Body Vin Breakdown:

A31 power windows
AAA factory tint
AC3 power 6 way, bucket, driver
AG1 Adjuster, 6-Way Power, Driver Seat
AG4 Adjuster, 2-Way Manual, Driver Seat
AR9 front bucket, european style, passenger & driver
AH3 Adjuster, 4-Way Manual, Driver Seat
AK5 Restraint System Front Seat, Inflatable, Driver and Passenger
AN4 Restraint Provisions, Child
AQ9 Seat, Passenger and Driver, Recline
AUO Lock Control, Remote Entry
AUD remote keyless entry
AU3 Lock, Side Door, Electric
A31 Window, Power Operated, Side
A90 Lock, Rear Compartment Lid, Remote Control, Electric
B35 Floor Mats, Rear, Carpeted Insert
B84 Exterior Molding, Body Side
CC1 Roof Hatch, Removable Glass Panels
C41 HVAC System, Heater
C49 Defogger, Rear Window Electric
C60 HVAC System, Air Conditioner, Manual Control
DD9 Mirror, Outside, LH & RH, Remote Control, Electric, Breakaway, Painted
DE4 Sunshade, Removable Hatch Roof
DG7 Mirror, Outside LH & RH, Remote Control, Electric, Painted
DL5 Decal Roadside Service Information
D35 Mirror, Outside LH Remote, RH Manual, Painted
D5X gear-driven speedometer
D81 "GT" raised spoiler
D82 Paint Special
FE2 Suspension system, Ride handling
FE9 Certification Emission, Federal
F41 Suspension System, Firm Ride Handling, Front and Rear
GU2 Axle, Rear 2.73 Ratio
GU3 auto tranny,
GU4 Axle, Rear 3.08 Ratio
GU5 Axle, Rear 3.23 Ratio
GU6 Axle, Rear 3.42 Ratio
G80 Axle, Rear Posi-traction (Limited Slip)
G92 performance suspension package
ILD Trim, Interior Design
IL2 Trim, Interior Design
IPB Trim, Interior Design
IP2 Seat, Leather Sport Front Bucket, Driver & Passenger, Reclining
J41 Brake System, Power, Front Disc, Rear Drum, Cast Iron
J65 Brake System, Power, Front and Rear Disc
KC4 cooling system, engine oil
KG9 Generator, 140 Amp
K05 Heater, Engine Block
K34 Cruise Control, Automatic Electronic
K68 Generator, 1 05 Amp
LT1 Engine, 5.7L (V8) MFI
LS1 Engine, 5.7L (V8) MFI
L36 Engine, 3.8L (V6) MFI
MD8 THM 700 R4 auto tranny
MM5 Transmission, 5-Speed Manual (Merchandising Option)
MM6 Transmission, Manual, 6-Speed, Borg Warner, 65mm, 2.66 1st, 0.50 6th, O/D
MN6 Transmission - 6-Speed Manual (merchandising Option)
MXO Transmission - Automatic O/D (Merchandising Option)
M30 Transmission - Automatic, 4-Speed, 4LE, Electronic
M49 Transmission, Manual, 5-Speed, Borg Warner, 77mm, 3.75 1st, 0.76 5th, O/D
NA5 emission, federal, tier 0
NB6 Emission System, California Requirements, Tier 1
NC3 Tailpipe Modifications
NF2 Emission System- Federal Requirement, Tier 1
NK3 Steering Wheel, Sport, Soft Rim, Simulated Leather
NP5 Steering Wheel, Leather Wrapped
NW9 ASR Traction Control
N36 Steering Wheel, 4-Spokes, Sport
N60 Wheel, Aluminum, Painted
N92 Cover, Wheel, Bolt-On
N96 Wheel, 16x8, Cast Aluminum
N98 Wheel, Chrome, Var 2
P05 Wheel, Chrome, Var 1
P08 Cover, Wheel, Super Deluxe
PW7 16 x 8 alloy wheels
QA7 Wheel, 16x7.5, Aluminum
QB3 Wheel, 16x7.5, Steel
QEA Tire, P215/6OR16 BW R/Pe ST TL AL2 94T
QFZ Tire, P24515OZR16 BW R/PE ST TL AL3
QII Tire, P21516OR16 BW R/PE ST TL AL3 94H
QLC Tire, P24515OZR161N BL R/PE ST TL HW4
STE Plant Code-St. Therese, PQ, GM of Canada
TR7 Headlamps, Automatic Control Leveling System
T39 Lamp Turn Signal, Auxiliary
T43 Spoiler, Rear
T61 Lighting- Daytime Running
T96 Lamp, Fog
UA6 Theft Deterrent System
UB3 Instrument Cluster, Oil, Coolant, Temperature, Volts, Trip Odometer, Tachometer
UK2 Lever, Directional Signal, Multifunction
UK3 Electronic System Accessory Control
UL0 AM/FM Cassette ETR 200 Watt Monsoon Sound System w/cassette
UN0 AM/FM Cassette ETR 200 Watt Monsoon Sound System w/CD player
UN6 Radio, AM/FM stereo, Seek/Scan, Auto Reverse Music Search Cassette, Clock, ETR
UQ0 Speaker System 4, Dual Front Door Mounted, Standard Range Quarter/Shelf
UU8 Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Seek/Scan, Auto Reverse Music Search Cassette, HPS, Clock, ETR
U1A CD radio, 10 speaker
U1C Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Seek/scan, Compact Disc , Clock, ETR
U1S 12 Disc Compact Disc Changer
U1T Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Seek/Scan, Compact Disc, HPS, Clock, ETR
U18 Speedometer Instrument Kilometers
U19 Speedometer Instrument, Kilometers and Miles, Kilometer Odometer
U62 Speaker system 4, Dual Coax Front, Dual Coaxial Package shelf
U65 Speaker system 5, Dual Front Door Mtd, Dual Ext. Range Panel, Single Rear Compartment
U73 Antenna, Fixed
U75 Antenna, Power
UT6 AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto rev
UW2 speaker system, 10, quad front door mounted, dual rear sail panel
V73 vehicle statement, US/CANADA
VG8 Label, Vehicle , Notice to Buyer
VH5 Plate, Vehicle Information
VK3 License Plate, Front Mount Package
VM3 label information consumer, contains bumper impact standared
VP6 Noise Control
WS6 Performance Package - Formula/Trans Am
WS9 model conversion, FORMULA
WU8 SS Performance Package/Appearance Package - Camaro
W51 Entertainment system - Radio, AM/FM-stereo, seek/scan, cassette, 4 Speaker system · Standard Range
W52 Entertainment System - Radio, AM/FM stereo, Cassette, Equalizer, 4 Speaker system - Coaxial
W53 Entertainment System - Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Compact Disc, Equalizer 4 Speaker System - Coaxial
W54 Entertainment System - Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Cassette, Equalizer, 10 Speaker System, Amplifier
W55 Entertainment System - Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Compact Disc, Equalizer 10 Speaker System, Amplifier
W57 Entertainment system - Radio, AM/FM stereo, Cassette, Equalizer, 4 Speaker system - Coaxial
W58 Entertainment system - Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Compact Disc, Equalizer, 4 Speaker system - Coaxial
W59 Entertainment system - Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Cassette, Equalizer, 6 Speaker System, Dual Front Door Tweeters/Woofers, Extended Range Shelf
W66 Merchandised Package - Formula
W73 Entertainment system - Radio, AM/FM Stereo, Compact Disc, Equalizer, 6 Speaker system, Dual Front Door Tweeters/Woofers, Extended Range Shelf
Y81 Merchandised Package - Firebird
Y82 Merchandised Package - Trans Am, Base Coupe
Y83 Trans Am model
Y84 Merchandised Package - Trans Am
Y87 Merchandised Package - Performance Enhancement
Z28 Merchandised Package - Special Performance
Z49 Canadian Modifications
01U Primary Color exterior, Special
05Q Molding Color, Cyclamen
O5U Primary Color Exterior, Cyclamen
1LE Performance Package Components
101 Interior Trim - Arctic White
1OT Top Color - Arctic White
102 Trim Combination Leather, Arctic White
1OQ Molding Color - Arctic White
1OU Primary Color - Exterior, Arctic White
12B Trim Combination - Cloth, Graphite
12D Trim Combination - Cloth, Graphite
121 Interior Trim - Graphite
14B Trim Combination - Cloth, Dark Gray
1SG Preferred Equipment Group
28U Primary Color - Exterior, Navy Blue Metallic
1SA option package 01
1SC package option 03
1SZ discount option package
37Q exterior molding color, manta green metallic
17P wheel color, silver mist metallic
37U primary color, exterior, memphis blue metallic
141 trim/leather combo
17P wheel color; silver
8TH rear springs
9TH rear springs
81Q molding color, bright red
81U exterior color, bright red

CamaroSS

iTrader: (2)

Also not noted was that the Trans Am has functional front brake ducts, which cool the brakes. The Formula doesn't have this, also, T/As are identifiable to have a V8. With a Formula, you will have to go to the side of the car and read the embossed lettering that says Formula, while a Trans Am is a Trans Am from every angle. Just make sure you get a V8 LS1 thats all that matters.

StangKilla

thx for the help hope a ls1 (ta or formula) makes its way to my door in the near future

StangKilla

o and that vin number decoder how does that work cause im lookin at this trans am on autotrader and its vin=2G2FV22GXY2122428 and doesnt have any of the codes in it 2000ls1 posted up thanks for ur help. again.......

NightHawk

iTrader: (1)

Those codes (at least some of them) are the option codes on the driver's door.

Fast Eddy, I'm not sure what "vert" means, but my 2001 T/A has 2.73's

Get the T/A, they look cooler!

WhitePheonix

Is that true about the brake ducts only being on the TA

CamaroSS

iTrader: (2)

Yes, the Firebird and Formula do not have them. The Formula is more of a straight line car while a Trans Am is all around better because the have the ducts and better suspension.

slow

iTrader: (7)

And how do you get this info from the vin???

Like i listed look on the drivers door for the option codes.

Ryan.

VIP1

Upon inspection there were alot of oddities (including a bad aftermarket hood). Plus the dealer admitted to it.

Stealth. Especially if you remove all badging and molding.

Convertable

The T/A and the Formula both have the same suspension.

--VIP1

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

nice user name

VIP1

Who, me?

--VIP1

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

No the guy that started this thread

Fast Eddie's 02 T/A vert.

NightHawk,
Vert, means...convertible.So your T/A had 2.73s also.They really suck,i just had mine changed to 3.42s

CamaroSS

iTrader: (2)

I thought the WS6 had different suspension than the non WS6 Formula?