Is your RPO sticker intact? WS6 package gets its name from the RPO code. I'm not sure if it was integrated into the Formula RPO though like it was with the GT, in which case it won't show WS6 on your sticker.
The short answer is that all 88 V6 cars (Formulas and GTs) got the "performance" suspension. Whether the WS6 RPO code is present, or not. The performance suspension consists of the rear sway bar, staggered width wheels (15x6, front; 15x7, rear) and maybe some minor differences in the shock valving and front control arm bushings.
Springs were chosen for ride height, not stiffness. They are all the same spring rate from one model to the other. (The bushing comment is speculation, based on the information that the base coupe's front LCA assemblies had different part numbers from the GT and Formula. I could be wrong.) The shock and bushing differences are marginal at this point, because after 25 years, the shocks have likely been replaced (or need to be) and the bushings are probably tired, too. All replacements will be the same for all models.
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
Yes it is a 'real' Formula 5-speed, purchased recently from the 'real' original owner who ordered the car when purchase new, black with tan interior, 67K miles.
[This message has been edited by hdryder (edited 11-23-2012).]
Spring... 84 and 88 uses same springs on all options, including WS6. 85-87 uses different spring on WS6 package. See my Cave, RPO List
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Yes it is a 'real' Formula 5-speed, purchased recently from the 'real' original owner who ordered the car when purchase new, black with tan interior, 67K miles.
If it's a real Formula (verifiable with the VIN number), then it has WS6. WS6 was standard on 88 Formula and GT Fieros. Sounds like a great car. Post up some pics!
Yes it is a 'real' Formula 5-speed, purchased recently from the 'real' original owner who ordered the car when purchase new, black with tan interior, 67K miles.
don't get snooty, the reason I asked is because someone can slap stickers on a car and nobody is the wiser and can ask, and get, more money for it. Mine is a "stickerless" Formula, I have no intention of selling, but if I did it would be worth it to slap stickers on it since you didn't seem to know if your Formula had the WS6 package, someone had to alert you to this fact don't get mad at me for your lack of knowledge on the subject, I was only trying to help
IP: Logged
01:32 PM
hdryder Member
Posts: 674 From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA Registered: Apr 2011
Spring... 84 and 88 uses same springs on all options, including WS6. 85-87 uses different spring on WS6 package. See my Cave, RPO List
Found something interesting (at least to me) on that RPO list.
My '86 v6 SE 4spd, does not have WS6, it shows WS3 and WS8 whatever that means, but it has the stiffest springs on both ends.... Front 6JA 7JA, Rear 8XD 9XD but... My '88 v6 Formula Automatic [real formula ], does have WS6, Front springs are a mid stiffness 6RD 7RD, Rear are very stiff (but not stiffest) 8UC 9UC....
Why 2 different spring rates? is that common for WS6 ??
IP: Logged
05:53 PM
dratts Member
Posts: 8373 From: Coeur d' alene Idaho USA Registered: Apr 2001
If it's a real Formula (verifiable with the VIN number), then it has WS6. WS6 was standard on 88 Formula and GT Fieros. Sounds like a great car. Post up some pics!
who has the VIN numbers of Formula's?
the only difference I have found between my car and a Formula is the decal on the doors I have seen Formula's with T-tops, power windows and door locks, chrome exhaust tips, and a number of other differences, but not all Formula's have these.
IP: Logged
08:53 AM
Raydar Member
Posts: 41580 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
Basically, if it's an 88, with a coupe body, and a V6, and a rear sway bar - it's a Formula.
The 8th digit of the VIN indicates the engine. If it's an "R" it indicates a Duke. If it's a "9" it indicates a V6. (I don't have my VIN handy or I'd post it. Mine is a "real" Formula.)
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
Basically, if it's an 88, with a coupe body, and a V6, and a rear sway bar - it's a Formula.
The 8th digit of the VIN indicates the engine. If it's an "R" it indicates a Duke. If it's a "9" it indicates a V6. (I don't have my VIN handy or I'd post it. Mine is a "real" Formula.)
Raydar is correct: there is no way of telling from the VIN if the 88 V6 is a Formula or not, at least from what I have been able to find the VIN of both Formula and V6 reads: 1G2PE119#JP2XXXXX 1=USA G=GM 2=Pontiac P=Fiero E=coupe 11=2 door, sealt belt, no air bag 9=V6 X=check digit J=1988 P=Pontiac, MI (production plant) 2XXXXX=sequential production number
some were sold as a Formula with the door decals, and some were sold without the decals and were not called Formulas (by dealers or window sticker) the thing is, back in the day, some insurance companies would charge extra for a Formula compared to the same car without decals and "Formula" designation
and you can buy a Formula decal for $20 at the Fiero Store, which will increase the value of your non Formula hundreds, if not over a thousand dollars
[This message has been edited by ZaraSpOOk (edited 11-24-2012).]
IP: Logged
10:01 AM
Stickerguy Member
Posts: 104 From: Mesquite, Texas (Dallas) Registered: May 2012
Raydar is correct: there is no way of telling from the VIN if the 88 V6 is a Formula or not, at least from what I have been able to find the VIN of both Formula and V6 reads: 1G2PE119#JP2XXXXX 1=USA G=GM 2=Pontiac P=Fiero E=coupe 11=2 door, sealt belt, no air bag 9=V6 X=check digit J=1988 P=Pontiac, MI (production plant) 2XXXXX=sequential production number
some were sold as a Formula with the door decals, and some were sold without the decals and were not called Formulas (by dealers or window sticker) the thing is, back in the day, some insurance companies would charge extra for a Formula compared to the same car without decals and "Formula" designation
and you can buy a Formula decal for $20 at the Fiero Store, which will increase the value of your non Formula hundreds, if not over a thousand dollars
"E" is the designation for the coupe body. Both Formula and base coupe. ("G" designates GT) The only thing that differentiates the Formula from the base car in the VIN is the 8th digit "9".
All 88 V6s with coupe bodies were Formulas. There were none shipped without door decals, unless it was an oversight. (Which wouldn't surprise me. I had a friend that worked at a Pontiac dealership, around that time. Said that they would get Firebirds delivered with Camaro door panels. They would take them off and go down the street to the Chevy dealer and trade out for the Firebird door panels that were installed in the Camaros.) In any event, removing the decals with a hair dryer was fairly easy. I "de-badged" my 88 Firebird Formula the same way, in a couple hours.
IP: Logged
10:50 AM
css9450 Member
Posts: 5590 From: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA Registered: Nov 2002
Mine is a "stickerless" Formula, I have no intention of selling, but if I did it would be worth it to slap stickers on it since you didn't seem to know if your Formula had the WS6 package, someone had to alert you to this fact don't get mad at me for your lack of knowledge on the subject, I was only trying to help
Sounds like yours got "debadged" just like Raydar's did with the hair dryer.
IP: Logged
12:10 PM
PFF
System Bot
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
My wife swears up and down that her Fiero, that she bought new off the showroom floor, was an 88 notchie with a V6 but no Formula stickers on the doors.
I had not considered that a V6 notchie could have been sold without the WS6 package and not been a "real" Formula. I was under the impression that ALL 88 V6 notchies were Formulas. Period. But then again, it would have had to have some kind of trim designation such as SE. BUT, since all notchies in 88 had the same nose and belt line and none of them had ground effects, the addition of a V6 really didn't involve a "trim" change.
That means either you could buy a "base" car with the V6, which makes no sense, or some Formulas were sold without stickers (and possibly the rear sway bar).
Originally posted by Raydar: The only thing that differentiates the Formula from the base car in the VIN is the 8th digit "9".
the 8th digit differentiates a V6 from the Duke, and hopefully, nobody needs a VIN code to tell them apart although I suppose if the engine has been changed, nice to know what it was originally.
I bought my car used from a guy in 1990 who claimed he bought the car optioned as a Formula, but claimed it was not a Formula. I don't know why he would say that since it would lower the value of the car.
I have seen a window sticker of a Formula and it is listed as a "1988 Fiero Formula" it was a "trim level" not an option package. the various equipment that we associate with a Formula were listed as equipment of the vehicle rather than in the option section which listed the "W66 Formula option" at NC
The V6 engine, manual transmission, 4 wheel power discs, larger tires, 15” Al wheels, special performance package (whatever this is since it does not explain), rear spoiler, and gauge cluster were all listed as equipment of the Formula
I'd like to see a window sticker of a 1988 V6 Fiero (not a GT or Formula) if anybody has one.
[This message has been edited by ZaraSpOOk (edited 11-24-2012).]
IP: Logged
01:30 PM
css9450 Member
Posts: 5590 From: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA Registered: Nov 2002
That means either you could buy a "base" car with the V6, which makes no sense, or some Formulas were sold without stickers (and possibly the rear sway bar).
Re-reading that thread just now, we're still drawing the same conclusion (in both threads). IE: all 1988 Fieros with a V6 are Formulas (unless of course they're a GT) and in the case of Boostdreamer's wife and ZaraSp00k here in this thread, its almost a certainty that the decals were removed at some point (Boostdreamer, was she ever able to some up with a VIN? Its been a long time and perhaps she has forgotten if it was really an '88, or a V6).
in looking at the option codes, mine lists W66 which was the Formula option, it also lists WS6 I wonder if Pontiac simply produced some without the stickers, knowing not everyone would want them.
originally I wanted a Formula, but after seeing the car without decals, I preferred it that way, and still do
I never really checked out the codes before, some interesting things: K60=100 amp alternator I am guessing 8VC & 9VC are the springs, but not sure what it means CD4= wipers, variable L44=V6 engine N33=tilt steering U29= gauge cluster? YLM, XEM, PB4 &PHO= larger tires, wheel locks & wheels AD3=sunroof C60=air conditioning D60=rear spoiler A01=tinted windows D35=dual mirrors K34=cruise control MG2, FX8, MM5=Muncie, 3.61 axel, 5 speed WV9 & 1SB= value option package & option package 1 (whatever they are)
I'm working on my car today, it is under 20F out, so I have to come inside often to warm up
[This message has been edited by ZaraSpOOk (edited 11-24-2012).]
Re-reading that thread just now, we're still drawing the same conclusion (in both threads). IE: all 1988 Fieros with a V6 are Formulas (unless of course they're a GT) and in the case of Boostdreamer's wife and ZaraSp00k here in this thread, its almost a certainty that the decals were removed at some point (Boostdreamer, was she ever able to some up with a VIN? Its been a long time and perhaps she has forgotten if it was really an '88, or a V6).
now you have me wondering, someone broke into the car when it was owned by the original owner, I have been finding glass for the last 24 years, I wonder if the door needed repainting and the owner decided to go without decals?
IP: Logged
02:18 PM
Boostdreamer Member
Posts: 7175 From: Kingsport, Tennessee USA Registered: Jun 2007
Re-reading that thread just now, we're still drawing the same conclusion (in both threads). IE: all 1988 Fieros with a V6 are Formulas (unless of course they're a GT) and in the case of Boostdreamer's wife and ZaraSp00k here in this thread, its almost a certainty that the decals were removed at some point (Boostdreamer, was she ever able to some up with a VIN? Its been a long time and perhaps she has forgotten if it was really an '88, or a V6).
I'd love to see some documentation but so far I haven't. Something may still exist here but I've not gone snooping. I've also asked her for photos but those were pre-digital days. I'll see what I can do. If I find anything, I'll post it here and in the other thread.
Jonathan
IP: Logged
10:03 PM
Nov 25th, 2012
FFIEROFRED Member
Posts: 751 From: GULFPORT, MS Registered: May 2008
Back in the day the "formula" was a insurance beater. All the GT stuff with out the "GT" insurance rate. Same with the "F" cars.
that's kind of humorous because before I bought my car I asked my insurance agent, both GT & Formula had a premium. That was part of the incentive for me to buy my car, it wasn't a Formula (despite the fact the rpo code says otherwise)
IP: Logged
11:47 AM
css9450 Member
Posts: 5590 From: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA Registered: Nov 2002
that's kind of humorous because before I bought my car I asked my insurance agent, both GT & Formula had a premium. That was part of the incentive for me to buy my car, it wasn't a Formula (despite the fact the rpo code says otherwise)
So your agent would've charged extra for a Formula or GT but he didn't recognize yours as one so he didn't charge you extra? That IS humorous! Consider yourself lucky.
], does have WS6, Front springs are a mid stiffness 6RD 7RD, Rear are very stiff (but not stiffest) 8UC 9UC....
