Formula --> Trans Am Conversion
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (6)
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,185
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From: Highland, Indiana
Formula --> Trans Am Conversion Ok, I have a 98 Formula I like the look of the Trans Am alot more especially the rear end and now that I have realized there is a difference the front end too although I wouldnt normally replace it the previous owner thought a Firebird could double as a bumper car and cracked my bumper causing the paint to be all F'd up so might as well replaced it too. While I'm sure replacing the front and rear bumpers will be easy , I read someplace that you can't just get a trans am hatch and swap it out with the firebird one, something about the little hydraulic supports not being strong enough, is this true ? The whole thing can't possibly be very difficult. But here is the big question how much do you think it would cost to repaint a hatch, front bumper , and possibly a ram air hood ? This is something I have been thinking about for a while and thought I would get an idea of how much I need to save up before I attempt this
I am in the midst of this conversion too. I have decided just to mount everything and have the car repainted. So all the paint will match. I have a TA hatch and seen friend mount them and never seen any of them have problems with it.
ok well i would say i have a great amount of knowledge on conversions
I converted my 95 formula into an 02 T/A..... so heres whats up.... you will need new fog light brackets as your fog lights won't be direct fit... (this I read) you will need a new bumper and parking light lamps...The support for the hatch WILL NOT WORK. I still have mine on there an they only work if the car is at about 100*(they are gas power i'm sure you understand why)You will need a new hatch, and your old hatch is about worthless as almost no one has any interest in your current one..... unless you have the equipment to replace glass I suggest buy the hatch with glass or plan on putting new in... I also have to suggest you remember how the hinges fit exactly.. they can look to fit several ways... if you get going to the wrong way you will be confused for hours.... (personal mistake) the sideskirts mount right up on the current body....they come with bolts that go into the fender on the sides.. You do not have these predrilled so you will either have to remove them and mount without or drill some holes... I will recommend you do without as if you mess up the fenders are 250 a pop.. plus paint!!!!.....you will also need a new t/a rear bumper. If you need help on getting everything off let me know... o h yeah the bumper is not near as easy as you think to get off!!!! so good luck... oh one more thing I'm not 100% but i'm sure you need a new absorber as well.. this is all going to cost a few bucks but can be done cheap for the patient on eBay or in the for sale forums. Good luck.
I converted my 95 formula into an 02 T/A..... so heres whats up.... you will need new fog light brackets as your fog lights won't be direct fit... (this I read) you will need a new bumper and parking light lamps...The support for the hatch WILL NOT WORK. I still have mine on there an they only work if the car is at about 100*(they are gas power i'm sure you understand why)You will need a new hatch, and your old hatch is about worthless as almost no one has any interest in your current one..... unless you have the equipment to replace glass I suggest buy the hatch with glass or plan on putting new in... I also have to suggest you remember how the hinges fit exactly.. they can look to fit several ways... if you get going to the wrong way you will be confused for hours.... (personal mistake) the sideskirts mount right up on the current body....they come with bolts that go into the fender on the sides.. You do not have these predrilled so you will either have to remove them and mount without or drill some holes... I will recommend you do without as if you mess up the fenders are 250 a pop.. plus paint!!!!.....you will also need a new t/a rear bumper. If you need help on getting everything off let me know... o h yeah the bumper is not near as easy as you think to get off!!!! so good luck... oh one more thing I'm not 100% but i'm sure you need a new absorber as well.. this is all going to cost a few bucks but can be done cheap for the patient on eBay or in the for sale forums. Good luck.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Mullica Hill
dude i have a perfect, complete Trans Am hatch......glass, raised wing, wiring and all if you want it. Ill sell it dirt cheap if you want it. If your in South Jersey, you can pick it up for 50 bucks.otherwise, ill ship it.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Originally Posted by HAWK#549
dude i have a perfect, complete Trans Am hatch......glass, raised wing, wiring and all if you want it. Ill sell it dirt cheap if you want it. If your in South Jersey, you can pick it up for 50 bucks.otherwise, ill ship it.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 594
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From: Houston/Lubbock
Can someone please tell me what exactly is the difference between the T/A and Formulas? I know that they have the same motor and what not, just looking for the appearance differences. Thanks
the t/a also had basically everythign standard, while it was mostly options on the formy. if i had a formula, id put the T/A hatch and maybe rear bumpers, but id keep the formy front bumper. a WS9 hood from VFN would complement it nicely
11 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse In
This makes me sad I own a 98 Formula and The idea of making a clone is kinda sad. Formula owners be proud of what you own. They are rare Compared, They made 594 Black A4 T-top Formula in 98 and i have one of em. They made somewhere in the 4k+ Black Trans Am with the A4. That Aside I did buy the WS6 ram air hood but that is not a attemp to clone. Got it for the Proformence and looks. Otherwise the wing side Skirts and other stuff like bumbers add Weight. If i did it all over again I would of gotta the 98 Formula Conv they only made two that year Or the 1LE Formula 14 Total in 1998. The point is love what you got They are all F-body's and we do all share a Common Interest. I'll put up Pictures of mine Thursday of this week.
Good luck with the Clone Guys
Good luck with the Clone Guys
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (6)
Joined: May 2005
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From: Highland, Indiana
I really just had the idea cuz the paint is SOO bad on the front bumper and needs to be fixed, I will post some close ups of it tomorrow it looks like a crusty old elephants wrinkles
I didnt realize they made so few maybe I will keep the rear end the same, do you know how many hardtop formulas they made in 98 ?
I didnt realize they made so few maybe I will keep the rear end the same, do you know how many hardtop formulas they made in 98 ?
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (6)
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 3
From: Highland, Indiana
Ok here are the pictures of the front bumper, the paint is so ugly and wrinkly it makes me sad...
yet somehow I didn't notice this when I bought the car... although I would have bought it anyway
yet somehow I didn't notice this when I bought the car... although I would have bought it anyway
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13
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From: New Jersey
I say definately keep it a Formula. They make the perfect sleeper car. Unless the competition can hear that V8 rumble, they'll think you're just another V6 Firebird. Then you woop their *** and they feel like a retard 
I'd love to find myself a Formula when I'm in the market for buying an f-body, although I do kinda like that Trans Am spoiler better....
I'd love to find myself a Formula when I'm in the market for buying an f-body, although I do kinda like that Trans Am spoiler better....
i like the formulas better, not to mention i wouldnt want some of the standard features in a t/a like ttops. But i like the look of formulas better, t/a's are so common around here.