Trans am vs Formula?

I'm just wondering what the difference is between a LT1 Firebird Formula and a Trans Am besides looks/badges etc. They both have the 5.7L LT1 in them, so is there a difference in performance? I know for the later years in the 4th Generation for F-Bodies the Camaro SS bests the Z28 by a small bit, and the Trans Am is supposedly the SS of Pontiac. I'm just wondering because theres a 94 Formula I'm looking at buying, and I'd like to learn more about the Pontiac side of the F-Body family.
This is the car on autotrader if anyones interested in takin a look and saying what they think(it's Canadian currency) 94 Formula (http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=11618531&pgno=2&srt=7)

The Formula are slightly lighter and have a few less options usually but if you know about Z28's then you know Firebird/trans am cause its basically the same car with different body panels. The only difference between the T/A and Formula is the front bumper (Formula don't have fog lights) and the rear spoiler on T/A's is usually higher than the Formula's but besides that nothing really different about either model.

thank ye Formula. I didn't know Formulas were lighter, that's cool, I can live with less options.

thank ye Formula. I didn't know Formulas were lighter, that's cool, I can live with less options.
Formula > Trans Am

At least for drag racing.

therer are a few differances.
front bumper is a bit fifferent it isnt as pointy
back bumpers are simmilar but still different because

therer are a few differances.
front bumper is a bit fifferent it isnt as pointy
back bumpers are simmilar but still different because there is a line in the trans am rear bumper that allows you to make it look like THIS (http://www.autogazeta.com/c/7/s/2002_pontiac_firebird_trans_am_collector-2.jpg) but the formula does not.
also the side skirts on the trans am have corners but the formula has round ones Trans am (http://www.nopinationals.com/2002/carshow/carshowamerican/Trans%20Am%20White%20w%20Black%20Top%201.jpg), Formula (http://firecruise.50megs.com/96bird14.jpg) notice the differance.
than the trans am has the same spoiler

mechanicly they are the same i think exept the trans am has the WS6 option that has harder suspension and. trans am isnt ecactly SS becouse the Ram air package is optional that makes the trans am W/O ram air have less horsepower

Yeah a Formula is pretty much a V6 Firebird body with the V8 stuffed under the hood. They are significantly lighter without all the extra body cladding etc that adds 100 lbs or so to the weight of the T\A.

Yeah a Formula is pretty much a V6 Firebird body with the V8 stuffed under the hood. They are significantly lighter without all the extra body cladding etc that adds 100 lbs or so to the weight of the T\A.

i think that the the body cladding weight is a myth. a have found these to pics on ebay one of a V6 Firebird!!!!! (http://216.127.91.106/north_pics/2G2FS22K622153292/DCP_0073.JPG) and another one of a Trans Am (http://photos2.ebizautos.com/794/708931_44.jpg) both are autos

as you can see there is only a 55KG or 120punds between a auto v6 and a v8 trans am

Believe me the way people sometimes obsess over extra weight, this is arguement enough.

this only proves my point that getting the v8 is a much better choice as you are nearly not getting any extra weight. this is a problem with many cars for example 3000gt if you get the non turbo 222hp version it weighs about 3200pounds but if you get the turbo version you get a car that weihgs around 600punds more

More useless factoids...
The earlier LT1 cars were marketed/ sold considerably different than the later LS1 cars.

They didn't have the "WS-6" option with Ram Air in '94. I believe that came out in '95, as the Comp T/A's had the ram air hood. Also, in '94 Pontiac tried to sell the Trans Am in a regular version or the higher "GT" version. The regular Trans Am had a firebird spoiler and the GT version had the normal Trans Am spoiler. Other differnces include the 115 speedo versus the 155 speedo, computer speed limiting, etc. This was the only year they did this which is why you'll see some Trans Ams running around with base Firebird spoilers (aside from those who have swapped them out)

From 93- 96 or so they were available with either all season radial tires and the lowly 115 speedo, 108 computer speed limiting. Or if you got the z rated tires you'd get the 155 speedo and no speed limit... (94 was the only year for the GT and the optional Trans Am spoiler offering)

Regarding Formulas they are mechanically the same, cosmetically like the base firebird. The marketing purpose was to offer Trans am performance for the person who didn't want the Trans Am bold asthetics.

They are lighter because they don't have the ground F/X and less plastic on the front and rear bumpers and like previously mentioned, they generally have less options. so if you're looking for a basic drag car then the Formula is the one to get. If you want to ride fast in style, then opt for the T/A.

Of course, whichever car you get will readily accept the later mechanicals from the LS1 cars such as the larger brakes/ spindles for the front (don't bother with the rear, it's not a noticable difference, they say) the larger Ws-6 front sway bar (the rear is the same size), the aluminum drivesahft, 17" wheels, etc...

Good luck with your ride!

Very nice Tuske.

yea good stuff to know, I can't seem to get ahold of the seller yet..

Formulas are geared tword Drag racing, and Trans Am's are track cars.

Look back at the early 70's. Pontiac put the 400 into the Formula, and made 330hp and 430lbs tq for base engine, 345hp and 430tq for Ram Air III, and 370hp and 430 tq for Ram Air IV. However these engines are all very under rated, look at the difference between the base 400 (YS) and the Ram Air III. You have a set of better flowing heads, better rocker arms and valve springs, a "hot" Ram Air "S" Camshaft, a better breathing intake manifold, a 760cfm 4 barrel carburator, and header style exhaust manifolds and the motor only tested 15 hp over stock and zero torque increase?

You can take a base 400, pick up a Ram Air "S" Camshaft and dyno it, and what will you get? High Performance Pontiac did that and ended up with a 400 that made over 370hp, so I highly doubt that the RAIII had only 345hp. Imagine what the Ram Air IV made? Hell they came with the best flowing heads Pontiac produced, a 800cfm carburator, the most aggresive camshaft Pontiac put out, pretty much the best of the best.

But to get back on track, there was a "drag Pack" option for the Formula in 1970 that alot of people did not know about, you could order a Drag Pack from a dealer, it was your basic Formula 400, however it did not have some of the basic equipment that came on the cars. A drag back came with a heater / defroster delete, Ram Air III motor, the power steering and power disc brakes that came standard where removed, the damn car even had a Radio delete option, no frills interior, 4 speed hurst shifter with 3.90 gearing, F70 tires, the car came in under 3,500 lbs. They ran high 12's out the door. Cool isnt it? A little fact that alot of people didnt know about.

Look at the histroy of the Trans Am and Formula, Trans Am's are a legend on road tracks, the Formula a legend at the drag strip.

However I would take a Trans Am over a Formula, I love the suspension they put in thoese things (even thought the Formula shared the same suspension as the Trans Am in 1970 - 1973).