Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

Started doing stuff to the Formula

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 07:38 PM
  #1  
Smithwick88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Ar
Default Started doing stuff to the Formula

So, you know when you do something new or maybe different and you want to show other enthusiasts? Well, this is my new stuff on recently purchased 150k 2002 A4 Formula.

Before:









After (so far):







I didn't have time to take any more pics tonight but if the weather permits tomorrow I will take it out and get some better all around pics.

As of today I have done the following:
(bought used)
SLP lid
85 mm MAF
4 x WS6 wheels powdered custom (matte gunmetal bronze)
Magnaflow catback w/ 4 in single outlet tips (tips getting powdered same as wheels currently)
Stripped tail light center panel

(bought new)
Smooth bellow
Crappy spark plug wires
NGK plugs
Detroit TrueTrac LSD
3.23 Richmond gears
2 x cooper Zeon RS3-A (up front)
2 x cooper Zeon RS3-S (out back)
Replacement DRL/blinker lamps
Autolumination LED DRL/Blinker switchbacks (Amber/White)
PONTIAC lettering for back in dark gray metallic
PONTIAC lettering for headlight in dark gray metallic
Front liscense plate cover graphics two tone dark gray metallic/silver metallic
Silver metallic door/rocker panel lettering for lid

(sitting in my garage)
243 heads off LS4 (used)
COMP 918's with Titanium retainers (used)
More NGK spark plugs (new)
MSD plug wires (new)
LS2 lifter trays (new)
LS7 lifters (new)
180 degree thermostat (new)
Founders LCA relocation brackets (new)
Summit Racing heads replacement hardware kit (new)
Plus all of the stock BS I took off

Parts wanted list:
BBK headers and Y pipe
Any decent cold air/ram air kit
Tune (hopefully the merv can help me out!)
Small cam, > Z06 but < 228/228 on 112
Eventually a hardened T56 built for street/canyon carving.

Please leave me any feedback or suggestions. Let me know any ffedback on my parts wanted list to please. Thanks!
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 08:10 PM
  #2  
justin hover's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Default

Get a ws6 hood to set it off
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 08:20 PM
  #3  
Mista Blazer's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Moore, Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by justin hover
Get a ws6 hood to set it off
ditto to the WS6 hood, or something along that style. i think it looks pretty clean as is. but never been a huge fan of the front/rear bumper i always likeed the TA style
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 09:10 PM
  #4  
Smithwick88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Ar
Default

I figured someone would say WS6 hood. I like the sleek beak personally. I had a trans am for my last car and the thing I didn't like about it were the factory ground effects/rocker panels. I love the streamlined look of a "fighter jet" plus the possible sleeper effect it has on people who think they know F-bodies otherwise I would have bought a trans am because they are a lot easier to find. Let's just say that if I did get a WS6 hood it would be VFN's fiberglass WS6 hood because I like the way the outer ridge is sharper than normal WS6 hoods near the cowl. The bad thing about that is that I've heard VFN hoods have fitment issues and I don't have the money right now to get one ordered shipped and painted right away.

This is the best pic I could find to show you what I'm saying...

this is "stroked383HSR" trans am

Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 09:16 PM
  #5  
Cajun ELESS-ONE's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Default

get a cat back/exhaust and ditch those ugly tips lol
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 09:19 PM
  #6  
Smithwick88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Ar
Default

Originally Posted by Cajun ELESS-ONE
get a cat back/exhaust and ditch those ugly tips lol
I have a magnaflow on it right now and the tips (4in silos) are at the powder coater for the same color as the wheels but gloss instead of matte. That's why I didn't take any pictures of the car from the back or even move it to take better pictures.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 11:01 PM
  #7  
justin455's Avatar
Douchebag On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 4
From: Indianapolis, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Smithwick88
I figured someone would say WS6 hood. I like the sleek beak personally. I had a trans am for my last car and the thing I didn't like about it were the factory ground effects/rocker panels. I love the streamlined look of a "fighter jet" plus the possible sleeper effect it has on people who think they know F-bodies otherwise I would have bought a trans am because they are a lot easier to find. Let's just say that if I did get a WS6 hood it would be VFN's fiberglass WS6 hood because I like the way the outer ridge is sharper than normal WS6 hoods near the cowl. The bad thing about that is that I've heard VFN hoods have fitment issues and I don't have the money right now to get one ordered shipped and painted right away.

This is the best pic I could find to show you what I'm saying...

this is "stroked383HSR" trans am
WS6 hoods look better on Trans Ams. For Formulas...raptor hood is where it's at.

Reply
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 11:10 PM
  #8  
RJDio's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: NearHouston, TX
Default

where is your Formula badges on the doors?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 15, 2013 | 11:26 PM
  #9  
Cajun ELESS-ONE's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 686
Likes: 76
From: Thibodaux LA
Default

Originally Posted by Smithwick88
I have a magnaflow on it right now and the tips (4in silos) are at the powder coater for the same color as the wheels but gloss instead of matte. That's why I didn't take any pictures of the car from the back or even move it to take better pictures.
the powder coated tips would look different. I like the way the duel tips look on trans ams thought
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2013 | 06:46 AM
  #10  
justin hover's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Default

Yeah..where are those badges?. My vfm hood fits great btw
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2013 | 08:27 AM
  #11  
Nathan C's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 238
From: dayton, ohio
Default

I'm guessing he took them off, along with the side molding. He did have the factory Formula exhaust tips, so it is an LS1 car. OP, I like it.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2013 | 01:11 PM
  #12  
Smithwick88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Ar
Default

to justin455:

That hood looks damn good

to RJDio:

When I bought the car it had crappy firehawk graphics and I couldn't justify keeping those. I always take off all of my trim and badges anyways so I stripped them all.

to Cajun ELESS-ONE:

I went with dual duals on my last trans am and it tucked really good but I love the way the single 4 inchers look behind the firebird/formula rear bumper cover. I'll post pics as soon as they get put on.

to justin hover:

Which VFN hood do you have, like, is it a pin on or bolt on and is it the WS6 or the WS9 outlaw? How much was it to paint?

to Nathan C:

Thanks sir, when I bought it it had a flowmaster with the stock tips welded back up.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 01:21 PM
  #13  
1961ba427's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 1
From: Milledgeville, GA
Default

Originally Posted by justin455
WS6 hoods look better on Trans Ams. For Formulas...raptor hood is where it's at.

^^This^^ and a TA hatch/spoiler
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 03:03 PM
  #14  
Smithwick88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Ar
Default

Originally Posted by 1961ba427
^^This^^ and a TA hatch/spoiler
If I did that it would almost be the exact same car lol. Have to have some remaining ingenuity.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 09:42 PM
  #15  
SinisterZ28's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Bristol,TN
Default

Raptor, wsq or smoothie q hood, and get some pasesetter or better long tubes and get you a bomber pin up girl on the fenders( fighter jet)
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 10:08 PM
  #16  
Smithwick88's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Ar
Default

Originally Posted by SinisterZ28
Raptor, wsq or smoothie q hood, and get some pasesetter or better long tubes and get you a bomber pin up girl on the fenders( fighter jet)
I heard bbk's have great fitment and clearance which I will need when I start doing suspension. Plus it doesn't really matter if I get headers with 3inch collectors because my catback is only 3 inches at it's largest.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 11:05 PM
  #17  
LT1RAY's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default

I have a set of coated BBK's I'm selling next month. They have about 2k on them and look great. ORY is included as well. Send me a PM if your interested.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 11:16 PM
  #18  
RJDio's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: NearHouston, TX
Default

oh man, I'd put those formula badges back on, Formulas are rare Fbody and I always crack a smile when I see them. Even my 10 year old daughter will tell me when she sees a Formula.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2013 | 11:53 PM
  #19  
Daniel Richards's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 0
From: Ellijay, GA
Default

Originally Posted by justin455
WS6 hoods look better on Trans Ams. For Formulas...raptor hood is where it's at.

this and a T/A rear bumper, subtle yet aggressive, nothing wrong with the Firebird/Formula front bumper (I never can decide which front bumper I like more). The rear bumper is the biggest failure for the Firebird/Formula's, well that and that puddle collector they call a rear spoiler.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2013 | 12:03 AM
  #20  
SteveWs6's Avatar
Launching!
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 247
Likes: 3
From: Chicago
Default

You have a really clean Formula. Do it how you want to do it! These guys have good ideas though, just make sure you do what makes you happy with it. I do like that Raptor hood for it though especially over a WS6 hood- for the Formula.

You definitely have a lot of great parts to start off with for it!
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE