'93 Formula "Sleeper"

[CJOFORM]

That is why I have a hands off policy haha. I will direct when I help but I will not be touching much. Shit happens though, glad ya got it figured out man. Look forward to going for a ride tomorrow.

[93formulalt1]

Did some research, found a VIN decoder online that breaks down production numbers based on options (drivetrain, t-top/hardtop, paint, interior color/material, etc.) to determine rarity. . .

My car is one of 11 '94 PPM Formulas with LT1/T56, t-tops, and graphite leather interior. I knew it was a rare bird, but didn't think it was that rare. . . I was thinking maybe 1 of 250 or so.

[meissen]

Did some research, found a VIN decoder online that breaks down production numbers based on options (drivetrain, t-top/hardtop, paint, interior color/material, etc.) to determine rarity. . .

My car is one of 11 '94 PPM Formulas with LT1/T56, t-tops, and graphite leather interior. I knew it was a rare bird, but didn't think it was that rare. . . I was thinking maybe 1 of 250 or so.

Just for reference - said site, CompNine, says my 1994 red 3.4L v6 Camaro with graphite interior and T-tops is 1 of 1... Don't get caught up in what CompNine says too much.

[93formulalt1]

Just for reference - said site, CompNine, says my 1994 red 3.4L v6 Camaro with graphite interior and T-tops is 1 of 1... Don't get caught up in what CompNine says too much.

Why you gotta piss in Cheerios? It's not hurting anything. Lol

I know it's not the most accurate tool, but it's still kind of cool to see how the numbers break down, even if the math makes everyone's car rare. Lol

ETA: Here is how the options my car has fit in individually with the overall production:

51,523 Total Firebirds (all models and packages)
9,535 Formula Coupes
2,196 with T56 6-Speed
2,196 with 3.42 Posi Rear End
4,605 with t-tops (more hardtops made in '94)
2,048 with Graphite Leather Interior
257 in Purple Pearl Metallic/Grey Purple Metallic (91U)

Even if all other PPM Formulas were 6 speeds with graphite leather and t-tops, my car is still only one of 257 made that year. Combine that with the fact that the color was only available on LT cars in 93 and 94, And in 93, only 284 PPM/GPM Formulas were made, my car is STILL 1 of less than 600 Formulas this color. That's only factoring the paint color in, not including anything else, just Formula Coupes in PPM.

=Rare Bird. Lol

[93formulalt1]

Thinking about it the last few days, changing an oil pan isn't nearly as difficult as the forums would like you to believe. I'm going to attempt it again on Friday. I have all day Friday and most of Saturday to get it done, plus I can start on Thursday after work. Should be plenty of time to get it done. Even if it's not the only source of the oil leak, it's the biggest source, and getting it done now will just save me the hassle of dealing with it this winter. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the heat hooked up in the garage, I still haven't actually seen the place, and with two cars in a two car garage, I may not have enough space for the huge wood burner that I have. Winter projects may be rather limited this year, I'm afraid.

I have everything I need to get this done, and as soon as I get my last check from my previous employer, I will be ordering a new clutch. When I do the clutch, I plan to also replace the rear main seal, so all oil leakage should be stopped by that point. If not, I'll pull the front of the engine apart, replace the timing chain, cover, and seals in the spring, but right now, the only visible leaking is coming from the right side of the oil pan.

Anybody want to help out? Maybe someone with a lift and/or an engine hoist? Lol

[98blackbeauty]

Its pretty much a 1 man job. do you have a strut brace across the engine bay? Just use a tie down ratchet strap around that and harmonic balancer pulley. then take motor mounts loose, then drop kframe down 2-3 inches, then oil pan. its just time consuming because a lot of bolts are difficult to get at and its a slow job.

[93formulalt1]

Its pretty much a 1 man job. do you have a strut brace across the engine bay? Just use a tie down ratchet strap around that and harmonic balancer pulley. then take motor mounts loose, then drop kframe down 2-3 inches, then oil pan. its just time consuming because a lot of bolts are difficult to get at and its a slow job.

I have a STB, just haven't installed it yet. Ill put it on before I start this job and try your suggestion, it sounds like that's a better idea than trying to jack it up by the transmission.

I had the engine mount bolts loose last week, but couldnt figure out how to get at the backside of the left side bolt to tap it out, there just wasn't enough room there. I think this time, I'll have a friend operate the jack to lift it up until it just slides out, seems easier than trying to get something heavy enough behind it to tap it forward.

Once the motor mount bolts are out, it's all downhill. Thats the hard part, everything else is remove and replace. Hopefully I don't run into any issues. I just want the oil leak to stop! I lose about 4 quarts of oil a month right now. The previous owner should have taken care of this a long time ago, rather than buying stock in Pennzoil and continuing to top it off whilst he could keep driving it. Aside from the oil leak and heatsoak issue with the ignition system, the car really isn't in bad shape.

Also, considering the price associated with buying everything to swap a T56 into the '93, I got a smoking deal on this car. Whole car for the price of a transmission. . . Lol

[98blackbeauty]

Rather than tap out center bolt because of space issue undo the 3 bolts on the bottom motor mount bracket to the kframe. Easier to align when reinstalling also.

[93formulalt1]

Rather than tap out center bolt because of space issue undo the 3 bolts on the bottom motor mount bracket to the kframe. Easier to align when reinstalling also.

Why didn't I think of that?! I swear, every time I work on my car, I feel like an idiot. . .

Honestly, the walk through I was following online said to remove the long bolts in the motor mounts, that's why I wasn't thinking outside the box. . .

Going to give it a shot tomorrow after work. Hopefully it doesnt take forever to get done, I have left the car parked for nearly two weeks because of this leak.

[mcalus]

Remember, you have an easy $100 over here unless noted other wise

[93formulalt1]

Remember, you have an easy $100 over here unless noted other wise

You know, I'm seriously considering it. I LOVE the sound of the Magnaflow, but it's very raspy on deceleration. I know my SLP with the long tubes and no cats had ZERO rasp, I'm just wondering if the shorties are the cause of it. . .

Not to mention, I would be spending most of what I sell the Magnaflow for just to get the exhaust welded up on the car once I swap everything over. Lol

[mcalus]

You know, I'm seriously considering it. I LOVE the sound of the Magnaflow, but it's very raspy on deceleration. I know my SLP with the long tubes and no cats had ZERO rasp, I'm just wondering if the shorties are the cause of it. . .

Not to mention, I would be spending most of what I sell the Magnaflow for just to get the exhaust welded up on the car once I swap everything over. Lol

Get a cam, bye bye rasp. You tell me a price. Harbor freight usually has their 110v welders for $100. It's good enough for exhaust and sheet metal.

[93formulalt1]

I have a miller 110 welder, but I'm not comfortable enough with my welding skills to attempt it myself. Lol. Let me see what I can do, maybe I can figure something out. I'm planning on fixing the 93 at some point, so that's going to need an exhaust, but I think I may be more interested in a stock catback for that.

[MikeM]

Good luck with the work this weekend - hope to see your new 'Bird at the cruise!

And don't worry, if something does go wrong, you can ride with me

[93formulalt1]

Good luck with the work this weekend - hope to see your new 'Bird at the cruise!

And don't worry, if something does go wrong, you can ride with me

Thanks for the offer, I will keep that in mind. No offense, but I REALLY don't want to have to ride with anyone else, I'd rather just get this car fixed and drive it than have to ride with someone else. Lol