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Pontiac Firebird
Part 2
Third Generation
1982-1992
Introduction: The third generation Firebird was all new in many ways from the previous generation. A full unibody hatchback body replaced the subframe construction of the second generation and the Firebird received all new sheetmetal that greatly differentiated it from the Camaro. However, under the skin, the Firebird was now even more like the Camaro, and would use GM corporate engines (which were really Chevy engines) instead of the previous Pontiac engines. A large part of its uniqueness was gone.
1982 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The third generation Firebird was introduced in 1982 featuring all new sheetmetal. The front end sported hidden headlights and sleak styling. The model lineup was simplified to Base, luxury-oriented S/E and Trans Am. Base cars started with the obnoxiously loud, rough, and underpowered "Iron Duke" 2.5 liter OHV inline four cylinder engine rated at a truly pathetic 90 bhp. Most buyers wisely opted for either the S/E's standard 2.8 liter OHV V6 rated at a still-pathetic 105 bhp or one of the V8s. Optional in the Base and S/E models and standard in the Trans Am was a 5.0 liter (305 cid) V8 with four barrel carb rated at 145 bhp and which could be matched up to either a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic. Optional in the Trans Am was the trouble-plagued "Cross-Fire Injection" version of the engine which used Throttle Body Injection to crank out 165 bhp, but it was only available with the automatic transmission. But the big news for Firebird fans was the debut of "Kitt", a talking Black Trans Am that could out-act David Hasselhoff on the hit TV show "Kight Ridder", which further increased the Firebird's popularity.
Production:
Engines: 2.5 liter I4 90 bhp. 2.8 liter V6 105 bhp. 5.0 liter V8 145 bhp. 5.0 liter ("Cross-Fire Injection) V8 165 bhp.
Performance:
1983 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: Not much changed visually for 1983, but under the hood, things were definitely improving. The S/E's V6 saw its output rise to 125 bhp and a five-speed manual was now available. A new "L69" 5.0 liter V8 with four barrel carb appeared mid-year with available five-speed manual rated at a somewhat respectable 190 bhp. A new four speed automatic transmission also was available.
Production:
Engines: 2.5 liter I4 90 bhp. 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter V8 145 bhp. 5.0 liter ("Cross-Fire Injection) V8 165 bhp. L69 5.0 liter V8 190 bhp.
Performance:
1984 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: Not much changed for 1984 except for the expanded availability of the L69 engine and the discontinuation of the Cross-Fire Injection V8. A special white with blue trim 15th Anniversary Trans Am was offered that featured Recarro seats.
Production:
Engines: 2.5 liter I4 90 bhp. 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter V8 145 bhp. L69 5.0 liter V8 190 bhp.
Performance:
1985 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The 1985 Firebird featured a restyled nose, new taillights, and full rocker and quarter panel extensions on the Trans Am to give it a more aggressive appearance. The 5.0 liter V8 was now available with Tuned Port Injection (TPI) which allowed it to produce 205 bhp, although it could only be equiped with the four-speed automatic. A new WS6 suspension package was made available on the Trans Am, which also included 16-inch wheels with huge P245/50VR16 Goodyear "Gatorback" tires.
Production:
Engines: 2.5 liter I4 90 bhp. 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter V8 145 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp.
Performance:
1986 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: An ugly Federally Mandated Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) installed in a blister atop the rear hatch's glass was the only real change for 1986.
Production:
Engines: 2.5 liter I4 90 bhp. 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter V8 145 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp.
Performance:
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1987 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: A new 5.7 liter (350 cid) V8 with Throttle Body Injection was the big news for 1987. Although rated at just 210 bhp (15 less than the Camaro due to a more restrictive intake), and only available with the four speed automatic transmission, the engine's high torque rating and flexibility made it the best engine ever yet installed in a 3rd generation Firebird. Furthermore, the 5.0 liter TPI engine was now available with a manual transmission. To further improve the Firebird, Pontiac eliminated the S/E model, the CHMSL bump (it was now incorporated into the spoiler), and the pathetic four cylinder engine. A new budget performance model, the Formula 305, joined the lineup as well as a new top of the line Trans Am called the GTA.
Production:
Engines: 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter V8 145 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp. 5.7 liter TPI V8 210 bhp.
Performance:
1988 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: There were a few changes for 1988 including a new steering wheel, new wheels for the Formulas, and new radios. The carbureted 5.0 V8 finally disappeared.
Production:
Engines: 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp. 5.7 liter TPI V8 210 bhp.
Performance:
1989 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: Pontiac created a special 20th Anniversary edition Trans Am for 1989 by raiding the Buick parts bin. Pontiac took the Buick turbo-charged 3.8 liter V6 (which had gained fame under the hoods of Buick Gran Nationals and GNX), modified the cylinder heads and turbo plumbing, and squeezed it into the Firebird engine bay and hooked it up to a mandatory four-speed automatic transmission. Pontiac conservatively rated the engine at 250 bhp, but most independent testers felt that it made more. This turbo charged beast was relatively easy to live with and truly fast. Furthermore, Trans Am GTAs could also be ordered with a notchback-style hatch, that gave the car the look of a coupe.
Production:
Engines: 2.8 liter V6 125 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp. 5.7 liter TPI V8 210 bhp.
Performance: 3.8/250: 1/4 mile in 14.2 seconds @ 97.8 mph.
1990 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The Buick turbo-charged engine was dropped, so Firebirds reverted back to their regular engine choices. The base V6 was enlarged to 3.1 liters and rated at 135 bhp.
Production:
Engines: 3.1 liter V6 135 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp. 5.7 liter TPI V8 210 bhp.
Performance:
1991 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: A new nose was introduced for 1991; some thought it was ugly, others thought it made the Firebird more aggressive. The big news was the return of the convertible Firebird, the first since 1969. Everything else was carry over.
Production:
Engines: 3.1 liter V6 135 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 205 bhp. 5.7 liter TPI V8 210 bhp.
Performance:
1992 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: There were only small changes for the 1992 Firebird, the last year of the 3rd generation. GM added some adhesive to the joints and panels of the car's structure to quiet squeaks and rattles, and the Performance Equipment Group boosted the TPI 5.7 liter V8 to 230 bhp.
Production:
Engines: 3.1 liter V6 135 bhp. 5.0 liter TPI V8 230 bhp. 5.7 liter TPI V8 210 bhp.
Performance: |
4th Generation
1993-2002
Introduction: Pontiac saved the best for last with its Fourth Generation Firebird. Although these Firebirds would be the fastest and most powerful Firebirds since the glory days of old, the overall decline in the sport coupe market and the changing taste of young performance buyers to newer, more refined imports, sealed the fate of the Firebird. At least it went out on top.
1993 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The Firebird was substantially revised for 1993, the beginning of its fourth generation. The exterior styling was dramatically aerodynamic, and incorporated plastic front fenders, although much of the floorplan and rear suspension was carried over from the third generation. The front suspension was new, and incorporated a new short/long-arm design and incorporated rack-and-pinion steering for the first time. The Firebird lineup was reduced to three models, Base, Formula, and Trans Am, the convertible was eliminated and engine choices were now just two. The base engine was a new 3.4 liter V6, based on the previous 3.1, rated at a decent 160 bhp. But the big news was the new LT1 version of the classic 5.7 liter small-block V8 rated at a stout 275 bhp. Furthermore, the LT1 could be ordered with a six-speed manual transmission and was standard in both the Formula and Trans Am models.
Production:
Engines: 3.4 liter V6 160 bhp. LT1 5.7 V8 275 bhp.
Performance: 5.7/275: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.1 sec. @ 98.45 mph.
1994 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: 1994 saw the reintroduction of the convertible and a special blue and white 25th Anniversary Trans Am. Also new was a GT version of the Trans Am which added additional luxury features such as leather seats. Perhaps most annoying was a new "Skip Shift" feature on the six-speed manual which, depending on throttle position, would force an upshift from first to fourth gear for better fuel economy. This lead to an explosion in aftermarket skip shift eliminator kits.
Production:
Engines: 3.4 liter V6 160 bhp. LT1 5.7 V8 275 bhp.
Performance:
1995 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: 1995 saw minimal changes to the Firebird. Traction control was added, the Trans Am GT trim was dropped, and at mid year, GM's familiar 3.8 liter V6 was offered as an alternative to the 3.4 V6.
Production:
Engines: 3.4 liter V6 160 bhp. 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LT1 5.7 V8 275 bhp.
Performance:
1996 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: With the new 3.8 V6, there was no need for the 3.4 liter engine, so it was dropped for 1996. Furthermore, Pontiac offered an optional 3800 Performance Package for the Base Firebird which added four-wheel disc brakes, dual exhaust, limited slip differential, and alloy wheels. Formula and Trans Am models saw the 5.7 liter V8 gain 10 bhp for a total of 285 bhp. But now there was a new top engine choice. Pontiac reintroduced their fabled "Ram Air" cold air induction system for the 5.7 V8 as option WS6 available on Formula and Trans Am coupes (not convertibles). Ordering the WS6 package added twin nostrils (air intakes) on the hood which boosted the engine rating to a stellar 305 bhp. 17" wheels were thrown in for good measure.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LT1 5.7 V8 275 bhp. LT1 WS6 5.7 V8 305 bhp.
Performance:
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1997 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The WS6 was now available on Formula and Trans Am convertibles. Also new was the option of a 500-watt Monsoon audio system.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LT1 5.7 V8 275 bhp. LT1 WS6 5.7 V8 305 bhp.
Performance:
1998 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: Not content with 305 bhp, Pontiac replaced the LT-1 with the LS-1 V8 engine, which had first appeared in the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette. The all-aluminum LS-1 was rated at 305 bhp in base trim and 320 bhp in WS6 "Ram Air" mode. Firebirds also received new front end styling, and Base Firebirds could be ordered with a Sport Appearance Package which gave them some of the more aggressive look of their bigger brothers.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LS-1 5.7 V8 305 bhp. LS-1 WS6 5.7 V8 320 bhp.
Performance:
1999 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The 1999 Firebird got only minor changes, including a Torsen limited-slip differential for V8 models (and V6s with the Performance Package). A few new options were available, including a Hurst shifter for the six-speed manual transmission and a power steering cooler on V8 models. Pontiac celebrated the Trans Am's 30th Anniversary with a special White with Blue trim color scheme along with blue-tinted alloy wheels and a white leather interior.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LS-1 5.7 V8 305 bhp. LS-1 WS6 5.7 V8 320 bhp.
Performance:
2000 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The 2000 model was a complete carryover from 1999.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LS-1 5.7 V8 305 bhp. LS-1 WS6 5.7 V8 320 bhp.
Performance:
2001 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: 2001 saw a small increase in engine ratings, with the LS-1 increasing to 310 bhp and 325 with the WS6 option. The Ram Air engine was now no longer available on the Formula trim.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LS-1 5.7 V8 310 bhp. LS-1 WS6 5.7 V8 325 bhp.
Performance:
2002 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: 2002 would prove to be the last year for the Firebird, and Pontiac decided to issue a special 35th anniversary Firebird (as opposed to Anniversary of the Trans Am). This special model was a Trans Am which featured yellow paint, black wheels, and special graphics. Not really much of a send off for one of only two vehicles (the Chevrolet Corvette is the other) that survived from the muscle car days to the modern era without interruption.
Production:
Engines: 3.8 V6 200 bhp. LS-1 5.7 V8 310 bhp. LS-1 WS6 5.7 V8 325 bhp.
Performance:
Musclecarclub.com - Pontiac Firebird - History |
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