3rd Gen / L98 Engine Tech 1982 - 1992 Engine Related

How can I tell what I've got

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Old Apr 15, 2003 | 04:27 AM
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AL SS590 M6's Avatar
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Question How can I tell what I've got

I bought an 89 Formula 350 at an auction last week (impulse buy). It's a TPI 350 A4 with air, power everything, and cloth seats. I looked in the console for the RPO codes. Well they're gone.
The car has disc brakes all the way around and has WS6 caps on the aluminum wheels. Are there any things that I could check to verify whether it's a WS6 or just has WS6 wheels on it?
Is there any resource that can tell me exactly what I have from just the Vin#?
It's a really pretty reddish bronze. What's it called?
I want to restore this car and do some small mods to make it my daily summer driver as I've decided to relegate the 00 Formula to drag strip duty only.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 05:46 AM
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MSM69Z28's Avatar
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some info here but not sure how to decode W6.

http://www.autoinsurancetips.com/vin_number.htm
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 07:21 AM
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where did you check to find the rpo codes???
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 07:37 AM
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Re: How can I tell what I've got

Originally posted by AL SS590 M6
I looked in the console for the RPO codes.
thats where they should be go to http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/vin/ and you can decode your vin but i dont think thatll tell you WS6 or not.
Old Apr 15, 2003 | 12:26 PM
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RPO Codes Check the back box the one in the hatch area & the Fuse box lid.
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 12:02 AM
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AL SS590 M6's Avatar
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Originally posted by krazzycowgirl
RPO Codes Check the back box the one in the hatch area & the Fuse box lid.
Thanks to all. I decoded the vin but that doesn't help.
I'll look in the other areas.

Last edited by AL SS590 M6; Apr 16, 2003 at 12:04 AM.
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 01:50 PM
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On 85-90 third gens, the SPID label can be found inside the center console. On 91-92 third gens. it can be found on the inside of the right rear quarter trim panel door.

As far as your WS6, ALL third gen formulas were WS6.

Some things that the WS6 package included are:

16" Rims - Can be verified by looking at the placard on edge of driver's door. Should be 245/55/16 IIRC.

36 mm front sway bar - opposed to the 34 mm non-WS6 cars

Performance Suspension' badge - All WS6 cars had this badge on the passenger side lower dash. Some cars, like mine, didn't have the WS6 but still opted for upgraded suspension, opposed to the base suspension.

BTW, if you have no SPID label in your car, you are basically SOL. Only newer cars can have there RPO's decoded by taking there VIN to GM and punching it into their PC and they get all the options right there. The only other help I can give you is either find your build sheet, or get a packet from PHS. But even your build sheet won't contain as much info as your SPID label, or what PHS can give you.

Last edited by joshp14; Apr 16, 2003 at 01:54 PM.
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 02:06 PM
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Originally posted by joshp14
On 85-90 third gens, the SPID label can be found inside the center console. On 91-92 third gens. it can be found on the inside of the right rear quarter trim panel door.
Not true my Husbands 87 Iroc had it in the back pocket. my 83 Firebird had one (& everyone said they didnt do one for 82-84) was in my fuse box cover.
Old Apr 16, 2003 | 02:09 PM
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Originally posted by krazzycowgirl
Not true my Husbands 87 Iroc had it in the back pocket. my 83 Firebird had one (& everyone said they didnt do one for 82-84) was in my fuse box cover.
Yeah i know people have found them in different spots depending on the year. That was the general location for them for the corresponding years.
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 01:16 AM
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Again thanks to all for the help. I'll post up if I find it somewhere else in the car.
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 07:19 AM
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Sometimes you can suck up to the dealer and get them to print the RPO list from the VIN. If not, you can spend $30 and have Pontiac Historical Services send you a very informative package, including your RPO list.




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