Pg1 = Info and specifications of the 1970 Firebird Formula 400
Pg2 = What I have done to my car
Pg3 = more info...
Pg4 = Update-OUCH!
Pg5 = Other family Pontiacs

This site is about my 1970 Firebird Formula 400 , this is my first car, I purchased it in 1995.

-But, first... what exactly is a Formula 400 you ask? - read on...

The Formula was introduced along with the rest of the 1970 "plus" Firebirds on February 20th 1970.
This is a first year Formula.
If you were to have ordered a brand new Formula 400, you had the choice of one of three 400 engines, and four different transmissions. The Formula 400 was intended as a no frills high powered Firebird.
The Formula 400 package centered around the engine, which in standard form came as a four barrel carbureted, 10.25:1 compression ratio "Premium Fuel" 400 cubic inch engine.
The base engine was backed up by a heavy duty (muncie built), floor mounted, three speed manual transmission.
Also included in the Formula package was:
-a specific "twin scooped" hood,
-low restriction (2-1/4") dual exhaust with chrome exhaust tips.
-a five blade flex fan,
-front(1-1/8") and rear(5/8") stabilizer bars,
-heavy duty (12 bolt) differential,
-a floor mounted Hurst shifter,
-F70-14 tires on 14x7" steel wheels; c/w 'dog dish' hubcaps,
-dual "sport" mirrors,
-and dual horns

A part of the Formula package which was only included if a Ram Air engine was ordered - made the twin scooped hood functional.
When a Ram Air engine was ordered on the '70 Formula 400 aside from a differnet engine, the following modifications were done:
1- The block-off's on the forward edge of the hood scoops were opened, a set of screens were inserted where the block off's used to be (although not completly effective, they were intended to keep bugs out of the air cleaner)
2- A set of rubber boots were bolted to the underside of the hood; these boots mated to a specific air cleaner, which made the Ram Air functional.
Ram Air equipped cars also had "Ram Air" decals on the hood scoops.

The standard 400(RPO "L78") was rated at 330hp @ 4800rpm, and 430lb/ft torque @ 3400rpm. It included specific carburetion, camshaft, and cylinder heads(#13 for auto cars/ #12 for manual cars).

The next step up for an engine was a 'Ram Air'(RPO "L74") version of the 400ci mill. This engine was rated as having a 10.5:1 compression ratio, once again requiring the "Premium Fuel" designation. The 'Ram Air' mill, known today as a Ram Air III, was rated at 345hp @ 5000rpm & 430lb/ft torque @ 3400rpm. The Ram Air package included specific carburetion, a hotter camshaft, specific cylinder heads(#12 regaurdless of transmission), and 'header type' exhaust manifolds.

The third engine was the Ram Air IV 400(RPO "LS1"). Although available, the LS1 was never 'factory' installed in a 1970 Formula. The LS1 egine was only seen as a dealer installation for 1970 Firebird Formulas - many 1970 Formula LS1 parts were sold during the 1970 model year for these cars (they were officially sanctioned for NHRA racing, and were seen at dragstrips across north america).
There were only eighty-eight LS1 powered Firbirds, and they were all Trans Am's; Pontiac didn't advertise this engine for the 1970 Firebird, but there was a blank line in the engine option section of the ordering sheet in which the RPO code LS1 would have been written - this is also why (unlike the L78 & L74)the Firebird rating for the Ram Air IV was the same one used on the GTO.
The Ram Air IV was rated at 370hp @ 5500rpm & 445lb/ft torque @ 3900rpm. This engine came with exotic "round port" cylinder heads(#614 regaurdless of transmission), a better flowing aluminum (two piece) intake manifold, specific 'header type' exhaust manifolds, specific carburetion, and a specific camshaft.

There was a 'heavy duty' three speed automatic transmission (M40) available as well as two four-speed manual transmissions; either a close ratio (M21) or wide ratio (M20)depending on what gearing you ordered.

This car was originally ordered as 1 of 286, 330HP, 3spd m/t Formula 400's built.

My '70 Formula was ordered with the following cost options:
1- RPO 401 = AM push button radio ($42.10)
2- RPO 484 = Ralley gauges w/tach ($65.32)
3- RPO 494 = Console ($40.64)
4- RPO 501 = Power Steering ($72.58)
5- RPO 502 = Power Brakes ($29.03)
6- RPO 521 = Floor Mats; front ($4.72)
7- RPO 522 = Floor Mats; rear ($4.35)

The no cost options ordered for my car are:
1- 'special order' "Carousel Red" paint (the colour was a deep orange with a red tint in it. It was also known as Hugger Orange for Chevrolet/ Hemi Orange for Dodge or Chrysler/ Boss Orange for Ford)
2- Black standard vinyl interior

Total 1970 Formula 400 production is 7,708 cars.
The manual vs automatic percentages for 1970 Formulas are: 36% Manual vs 64% Automatic.

.