Pontiac Firebird Formula Quiz (3rd Gen)

Answer: 1987 - 1992

With the Ford's new, 225hp 5.0L fuel-injected V8 engine providing all the V8 power for Mustangs throughout its own generation, Pontiac was obligated to respond. The 1987 Trans Am GTA effectively replaced the Firebird S/E, retired after '86, and the Formula was designed to be a lower-cost alternative for buyers who didn't want all the extras in a GTA. "Just the power and performance goodies, thank you!".

Answer: Firebird

The Ford Mustang LX 5.0 was aggressively priced with performance options at below $12,000 and Pontiac wanted a piece of that market share - enter Firebird Formula.

Answer: Trans Am

The Pontiac Firebird's optional 5.0L V8 engine was the standard engine on the Firebird Formula. Optional was the 5.0L & 5.7L TPI engines, which were available on the Trans Am, where as the 5.7L TPI engine was always standard on the GTA.

Answer: Have a cowl-induction bulge

Though non-functional, all Formulas were visually distinct because they had cowl-induction hoods. There are many aftermarket hoods available for Firebirds, so this may throw the average Firebird spotter off - however there are other visual distinctions discussed shortly.

Answer: True

The WS6 package was the key to the Formula's handling - this gave it all of the GTA's standard handling/suspension goodies, such as larger brakes, thicker stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and a limited slip rear differential to name a few. The WS6 option coupled with either the mid-tier 5.0L TPI V8 or top-tier TPI V8 made the Formula a formidable rival to Mustang LXs.

Answer: 240

While Ford's engine output remained at 225hp, GM saw an opportunity to make incremental output boosts to the 5.7L TPI engine, reaching 240hp in 1991 / 1992 before being succeeded by the 275hp LT1 engine in 1993.

Answer: Flat-surfaced "High Tech Turbo" 16 inch wheels

In 1988, the standard wheel became the 16" High Tech Turbo wheels, where the inner pattern is concave. In 1991 and 1992, a no-cost option would be a set of cross-lace wheels (like the ones used on the GTA/Trans Am) though only in black.

Answer: Driver-side Air Bag

The government was encouraging all automotive manufacturers to implement safety features, and an airbag for the driver's side was standard throughout the rest of the production run. When the 4th gen Firebirds made their debut in 1993, dual airbags were standard in the redesign.

Answer: Leather Seats

Leather was reserved for the top-of-the-line Firebird model, the GTA. Leather was available as a standalone option on all 1987 Firebird models, including the Formula, which makes the 1987 model year most unique of all 3rd gen cars since any combination of options could be used. For 1988, GM/Pontiac switched to option packages, making option combinations more common.

Answer: 5.7L TPI V8 + 5-speed Manual

For those who were not satisfied with the base 5.0L throttle-body injected V8 (4bbl in 1987 only), one could opt for the mid-level engine being the 5.0L TPI V8. The 5.0L TPI V8, with an automatic transmission, had a 5000rpm redline due to a milder camshaft, while manual-equipped 5.0L TPI V8 and 5.7L TPI V8 cars used the more aggressive camshaft which provided a 5500rpm redline.