LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

1994 Firebird Formula?

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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 07:48 AM
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Default 1994 Firebird Formula?

Hey guys, I am new here, I have been reading up on the site lately and reading the arguments between the LS1 and LT1 and tho I know the LS1 is nice, I do not have the price range for one lol. But I am looking to get a 1994 formula. anyone got any advice for me? I have heard that the 94 was a bad year for the birds. My buddy had a 1994 V6 Firebird, and it was kinda a bust. but I am not to sure on the LT1s and how the formulas are. The one I am looking to get has 125k Miles on it, a front clip from a 98 firebird, and a needs a few things here and there. but from what i was told and ill find out when i check it out, it runs solid. I will have to check it out but I wanna know everyones opinion on it and what i might expect, the owner wants $2000. am i getting myself into a mess??


I have attached some images as well. owner says it starts up with a second or 2 rev, and needs new battery, A/C hoses, and the trunk needs a new switch to open. And belts need to be tightened or lubricated. so what do you guys think?
Attached Thumbnails 1994 Firebird Formula?-lt11.jpg   1994 Firebird Formula?-lt13.jpg   1994 Firebird Formula?-lt14.jpg   1994 Firebird Formula?-lt16.jpg   1994 Firebird Formula?-lt12.jpg  

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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 08:27 AM
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Welcome to the site!
Not to be mean but that thing looks like a cobbled together pile of f***.
I know that there are WAAYY better LT1 cars out there for close to that price. This car looks like a disaster and I would question its reliabilty personally.
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 08:40 AM
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Red car witha white paint job.... RadiatOr support missing and ***** rigged,was it wrecked? How's the interior? See how it runs... How's the tires? A/c work? How's the exhaust? Any mods? For starters
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 08:44 AM
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I see the evap/ cond lines are missing so no a/c.... And I see stock manifolds...
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 08:47 AM
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lol no one noticed the intake elbow is upside down?
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by defaultexistence
I see the evap/ cond lines are missing so no a/c.... And I see stock manifolds...
And a caprice intake elbow...
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by fupa
lol no one noticed the intake elbow is upside down?
It's off of a caprice it looks like so it has that big hole on the top.
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 09:24 AM
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I would definitely keep looking....looks like a POS more trouble than it's worth.
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 01:32 PM
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lol well... unfortunetly before I read anyones replies. I actually went out and bought the car =p my buddy came with me who use to be a mechanic and I dont mean outta his garage mechanic I mean a in shop one. He took a look over, said its not too shabby, that might be dropping a couple hundred in with some repairs and what not, the engine runs nice, the trans is decent, cars got some ***** lol. I mean... pretty much... heres the story, I have a 1999 Camaro with the V6 3800 Series, however, that started to knock the other day and its pretty bad. I wanted to throw a v8 either ls1 or lt1, I like both engines, in it and do the whole conversion. I know its still gonna be a pain and drop some money in it, but for $1800(what I Paid) not to shabby to get the process started with the donor car. Idk, I will take some pictures and everything, car cleaned up pretty nice, I will take some videos and what not and post them. Worse comes to worse, I am sure I can always do a little work on it and get more than my money back reselling to someone. I would kinda like a project also hehe =p but yeah, Thank you guys for your input, I went out and bought it before reading, hope it doesnt bite me in the *** =p



edit:

BTW, I also have a trans am wing that I got when I bought a ram air hood for my buddys 99 TA guy threw it in with it just cause his wife made him get rid of it lol. I am not planning on keeping the car white. I was thinking of going back to red anyways, and as far as a wreck, it wasnt in one, the owner was a "project" kinda person and threw the front clip on there cause he likes the look better. if the car doesnt run decent for a while I will use the parts for the start of my conversion

Last edited by Demon Heart; Jul 8, 2011 at 01:36 PM. Reason: more to add
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 02:28 PM
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For $1800, it's not a bad deal if it runs good. The mileage isn't too bad, so it should run good. It just looks like someone took everything apart and lost a bunch of pieces and put it back together with whatever they could find. Just find a stock rad support plastic piece, stock intake elbow (or aftermarket), and if you need a/c you can get the lines for about $80 at a parts store. Compressor is probably bad too.

When you open the doors are the jambs red like the engine compartment?

Either way, you could part it out and get your $1,800 back easy, so I think you got a good deal.
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 03:14 PM
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I wonder if that is the original engine or if someone put one of the baby LT1's from a Caprice in it. Are the heads aluminum or iron? Can't tell from the pic...
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Old Jul 8, 2011 | 03:27 PM
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The part I hate the most is that the car was originally red and it was halfassed into a white car. That would drive me insane personally.
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 07:15 AM
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^^^^^^^^^^^x2
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 93M6Formula
It's off of a caprice it looks like so it has that big hole on the top.
Yep. In stock form the Caprice did not have the silencer below, but rather on top and it damn near covered up the entire engine.
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 08:35 AM
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I've had worse cars, for 1800 I doesn't look too bad!
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 08:58 AM
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I......would've saved my pennies and bought a nicer, LS1 car...
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 10:51 AM
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Yep for only around 820,000 more pennies you could have had a nice LS1 car. I think you did good. I may be kind of rough but you could definitly make it nice or even make a pretty good profit if you decide to part it.

Last edited by IronOutlaw; Jul 9, 2011 at 12:55 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 11:04 AM
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If you know anyone who has access to carfax, I'd do that before going any further. It may not tell you anything, but worth a shot.
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 12:48 PM
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well, I am going to replace the elbow, but from the rest it seems pretty decent, I will be doing some work on it this weekend and upload some updates =D going to throw the TA wing on it and all when I get a chance. I got it for $1,800 as far as I know its a decent deal... I dont know where the rest of you live where you can get a better deal for the price.... but here in the Chicago area these cars are about $2500 or more depending on the situation. I have seen some rollers for $1200... and I know I coulda saved up more to get an LS1 But my current situation was my camaros engine went, I dont have the time to fix it for a few weeks, as bad as this sounds a School bus hit my truck while it was parked on the street, no joke lol I will upload pictures tonight. So idk.... I mean... it doesnt seem like it was a steal by being perfect, but I kinda think that with a few hundred and some TLC it might be decent
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Old Jul 9, 2011 | 01:09 PM
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that is in IL right, i saw it on craigslist. there are nice camaros I think on craigslist for lt1 there are a few sketchy ones thou, just get the history of the vehicle and what services were done recently. Birds tend to have more probelms than camaros for what I hear, mainly headlights
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