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4th Gen Cars

Third Generation (1982–1992)

The third-generation F-body was quite a bit lighter than its predecessor. GM's CCC ("Computer Command Control") engine control system continued to evolve, raising performance and fuel economy while simultaneously lowering emissions.

Engines:

• 1982-1983 LU5 5.0 L V8, 165-175 hp and 240-250 ft·lbf
• 1982-1984 LC1 2.8 L V6, 102-107 hp and 142-145 ft·lbf
• 1982-1985 LQ8 2.5 L I4, 88-92 hp and 132-134 ft·lbf
• 1982-1987 LG4 5.0 L V8, 145-170 hp and 240-250 ft·lbf
• 1983-1984 LL1 2.8 L V6, 125 hp and 145 ft·lbf
• 1983-1986 L69 5.0 L V8, 190 hp and 240 ft·lbf
• 1985-1989 LB8 2.8 L V6, 135 hp and 165 ft·lbf
• 1985-1992 LB9 5.0 L V8, 190-230 hp and 275-300 ft·lbf
• 1987-1992 L98 5.7 L V8, 225-245 hp and 330-345 ft·lbf
• 1988-1992 L03 5.0 L V8, 170 hp and 255 ft·lbf
• 1989-1989 LC2 3.8 L V6, 250 hp and 340 ft·lbf (Turbo Charged engine)
• 1990-1992 LH0 3.1 L V6, 140 hp and 180 ft·lbf

1982

In 1982, the 3rd Generation Firebirds were introduced: Firebird, Firebird S/E, and Firebird Trans Am. The Firebird was the base model, equivalent to the Camaro Sport Coupe, the Firebird S/E was a higher option level which could be loaded with more options than the Trans Am. The Trans Am was the highest performance level for the Firebird. The Firebird and Camaro got a new front end, with two pop-up headlights for the Firebird, and four exposed units for the Camaro.

In addition to being 500 lb lighter, the new Firebird was the most aerodynamic production Firebird to date. Wind tunnels were used to form the body shape. The aerodynamic developments extended to the finned aluminum wheels with smooth caps and a functional spoiler. The Trans Am received a turbo bulge hood styled loosely off the earlier turbo Trans Am. Plans had originally been made to use the Pontiac 4.9 turbo, but it was scrapped at the last minute. The hood remained and was made functional for the Cross-fire injected 305. The S/E could be had with every option the Trans Am could, but didn't use the bulged hood. Leather seating was also available on all models. Firebirds were available with several engines. The standard fuel injected 90 hp 2.5 L 4 cylinder Pontiac Iron Duke, a 102 hp 2.8 L V6, and two 5.0 L V8's. The first and most common was the LG4, a basic carburetor equipped 305 producing 145 hp. The other was a new fuel injected 305 using a fuel injection system similar to the 82 Corvette's 5.7L and producing 165 hp. The base Firebird came standard with 14" steel wheels. 14" aluminum and 15" aluminum wheels were available on the SE and Trans Am. Pontiac had also hoped to drop all the "Trans Am" badges from the new cars to save royalties paid to the SCCA for use of the name. Early promotional cars were marked "T/A" as an alternative, however the production cars came marked as Trans Am regardless. The WS6 option, available on the SE's and Trans Ams included 4 wheel disc brakes, P215/65R15 Goodyear Eagle GT radials with 15" cast aluminum wheels, stiffer springs, thicker front and rear sway bars, a high ratio 12.7:1 steering box, and limited slip rear differential.

The Trans Am came with the two 305 Chevy V8s as Pontiac V8s were no longer being produced. The four-speed manual transmission came with the four-barrel carbureted version that put out a milquetoast 145 horsepower, while the Cross-Fire injected 305 rated at 165 horses came with the automatic transmission. With either drive train, the newest Trans Am was no match for the 5.0 Mustang GT that took the performance car revival by storm that year thanks to its High Output 302, which started out with a two-barrel carburetor, 157 horses and a Top-Loader four-speed transmission to move the muscle, but the Mustang was much lighter than the Camaro or Firebird and the 302 engine had a much better assortment of high performance parts than the Chevy small block forced on Pontiac.

Its dimensions were reduced, wheel base was shortened, and weight reduced. It was also the closest in size to the 1967 model yet. Road & Track selected the '82 Firebird Trans Am as 1 of the 12 best cars in the world along with the Camaro. It won Best Sports GT category in the $11,000 to $14,000 range with the Camaro. It was also the 1st time a 4 cylinder was available in a Firebird. The windshield slope was 60 degrees, about 3 degrees steeper than anything GM ever tried before.

1983

In 1983, the Firebird remained basically unchanged. All Firebirds switch to a T-handle automatic gearshift knob. The shift indicator changed for the Automatic Overdrive 700-R4. Midyear the L69 high output 305 was introduced. The carbureted 190 hp V8 was virtually identical to the L69 in the Z28, but used a different air cleaner assembly. Instead of the Camaro's dual snorkel air cleaner, the L69 Trans Am received yet another functional cold air intake, designed to utilize the bulged hood. The Trans Am was selected as the DAYTONA 500 pace car. Pontiac sold 500 Daytona pace car replicas through their dealerships. The limited edition cars featured full body ground effect skirts, extending around the entire car. The front bumper grills were replaced with molded plastic panels, with the "Trans Am" script on the right panel. Also included were: Recaro leather/suede seats, special 15" "AERO" wheels with smooth covers, red gauge lighting, leather appointments, Daytona 500 graphics, and a unique white and charcoal paint scheme. The pace cars were only available with the LU5 Crossfire injected 305 with an automatic or the LG4 carbureted 305 with 5-speed manual. Other special packages were also available such as the Recaro trim package, which included the Recaro seats, and black paint with gold highlights.

A black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am built to mimic KITT from the TV series Knight Rider.

KITT on display at Universal Studios.

1984

For 1984 the Trans Am was now available with the same ground effects used on the previous years pace car replica. Grill inserts in front fascia replaced with solid pieces. New 20 slot 15" aluminum wheels also available. For the 15th anniversary of the Trans Am, Pontiac released another special limited edition Trans Am. Using the same body as the 83 pace car replicas, but with new 16" 20 slot convex aluminum wheels with Goodyear P245/50VR16 unidirectional tires. The new wheel/tire combo was very similar to the current Corvette's P255/50ZR16 arrangement. This was the first appearance of 16" wheels on a third generation F-body and was also the first Pontiac to come with 16' wheels. The 1500 15th Anniversary Trans Ams also included upgraded WS6 suspension with a new 25 mm rear sway bar vs. the normal WS6's 23 mm bar. The other features included: gray multitone and white leather Recaro interior, steering wheel, shifter, and parking brake handle, white striped taillights, white wheels, special blue stripes and blue hood decal, 4 wheel disc brakes, and T-tops. The only available V8 engines were the LG4 and L69.

1985

1985 Firebird Trams Am: Pontiac would use this wheel pattern until the early '90s on many non-Firebirds as well.

In 1985, All Firebird models underwent redevelopment to boost sales. LB9 Tuned Port Injected 305 is released. The new port fuel injected engine replaces the 305 H.O. as the hot ticket. Using a tuned runner design the 305 makes 215 hp. The new engine gains attention but is not available with a manual transmission. Carbureted V6 is dropped and replaced with new multi port fuel injected 2.8 L V6 making 135 hp. A Borg-Warner 9 bolt differential is available for first time. The new positive traction rear end is said to be stronger than the Dana 44. The interior was evolved by adding new Recaro styled seats, a new dash with redesigned gauges that used an embossed graph patterned background, new door panels, new T handle shifter for automatics, new ergonomic console, updated stereo, dash mounted map pocket, and a new ergonomic steering wheel. Further attempts to put the Trans Am into higher regard include: a new digital dash and a new overhead console. The console included two manually adjusted reminder wheels, a positionable map light, a removable "Firebird" flashlight, and a small pocket for a garage door opener or sunglasses. T-tops are also redesigned to use pin mounting rather than the previous year’s latches.

1985's benchmark makeover: restyled nose, vents, and return of the full hood bird

Trans Am drag coefficient is .32 but capable of .29 with standard Aero wheels over the High-Tech turbo aluminums. At the time it was the most aerodynamic car GM ever produced.

The Firebird received a restyled nose with wrap-around strips known as "bumperettes" to replace the old grille/solid inserts. Wrap around strips are also on the bumper. New tail lenses are introduced on Firebird. The Trans Am "Power Bulge" hood was discontinued in favor of new flat hood with twin louvered nostrils that were not functional. Trans Am received a restyled nose with integrated fog lights, new redesigned ground effects now standard. New "low density" taillights have a grid pattern. The Trans Am received previous years suspension as standard, WS6 is upgraded with new larger sway bars. Aluminum 16" 20 slot wheels are now available on all Trans Ams. Recaro option no longer available, but Recaro seats were.

1986

In 1986, All Firebirds received center, high mounted stop lamps as required by Federal legislation, placed on top of back window. Standard 2.5 L 4 cylinder engine dropped, multi port fuel injected 2.8 L V6 now becomes the standard engine. Firebird SE discontinued. New optional rubber/vinyl wrap-around rear spoiler introduced on Trans Am, available only in black. Mid year Pontiac introduces new light weight cross lace wheel available on Trans Am. Only 26 Trans Ams with the 305 H.O L69 were built in '86, it was discontinued because of fuel boiling. 305 TPI drops from 215 hp to 190 hp. Mid-Year, the L98 TPI 350 rated at 225 hp makes an appearance in the Trans Am. Paint RPO's change for new base-coat, clear-coat process. The '86 model also included the CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Light), just like its sister model, the '86 Chevrolet Camaro. American Sunroof (ASC), licensed by Chevrolet to build the upcoming 1987 Camaro convertible, builds 3 1986 Trans Am convertibles as a "design exercise".

1987

In 1987, Firebird body remains basically unchanged. All center high mounted stop lamps relocated to new position below spoilers. Large hood Firebird emblem disappears forever. All V8's receive factory roller camshafts. Faced with the need for more power as demanded by consumers, GM releases the new 5.7 L with tuned port fuel injection. Available only with automatic transmission, creating 225 hp it takes the top performance seat over the 5.0 L. L69 production stopped, leaving the LG4 as the only carbureted V8 used in an F-body. Trans Am GTA introduced, available with the LB9 305 TPI motor (which was brought back to 215 hp) or the L98 350 TPI. Gold 16" flat mesh diamond spoke wheels standard on GTA, and 16" 20 slot wheel standard on Trans Am. Formula receives 16" convex wheels only. Firebird Formula introduced, available with LG4, LB9 and L98 350 TPI motor. The earlier Trans Am "Power Bulge" hood returns on the Formula only. Wrap-around spoiler updated and now standard on Trans Am and Formula. Regular flat wing spoiler from earlier Trans Am now standard on Firebird.

The Trans Am GTA was Pontiac's pride and joy with a standard 5.7 L 350 Tuned Port Injection (TPI), the engine itself was pulled directly out of the C4 Corvette that began in 1985 and was used all the way through 1992. Its performance numbers were comparable to GMs flagship platform the Corvette. The factory "screaming chicken" seen previously in the firebird line up would be gone forever from the Trans Am line up. The vehicles target audience was males in their mid twenties to thirties Pontiac was trying to reach a more mature audience. The car came with a standard TH-700R4(4L60) automatic transmission, AC, and the legendary WS6 performance handling package. All of these options were packaged into the GTA (gran turismo Americano)under the RPO Code Y84. The GTA was produced until the end of the third generation f-bodies in the year 1992. Truly the greatest package ever.

Trans Am and Formula get optional 140 mph speedometer. Trans Am GTA gets new seats with inflatable lumbar and side bolsters. GTA also receives special door panels, epoxy filled emblems, body colored ground effects, and special GTA horn button. Also new for '87, Pontiac offers the promise of a Firebird/Trans Am convertible, built after market by ASC (of ASC McLaren fame) alongside the new Camaro convertible.

1988 Trans Am GTA equipped with a 305 TPI V8, and rare 5-speed manual transmission.

1988

For 1988, the Firebird remained basically unchanged. The 170 hp LG4 carbureted 5.0L was dropped in favor of new 170 hp L03 throttle body injected 5.0L. All V8's received serpentine belt systems and the A/C compressors were moved to passengers the side of engine, de-cluttering the under hood area. The Firebird Formula gets new high tech 16x8" aluminum wheels with silver WS6 center caps. GTA wheels were slightly restyled. Convex 16" wheels were dropped as all Trans Ams got the 16x8" diamond spoke aluminum rims available in different colors, such as: white, red, charcoal, and black, in addition to the GTA's gold. The GTA received new a steering wheel with integrated radio controls. The Trans Am was made available with body colored ground effects like the GTA. Optional on the GTA was a new "notchback" hatch. Rather than glass the new "notchback" consisted of a fiberglass trunk lid with a flat vertical glass window. The notch back also incorporated redesigned rear seatbacks with an integrated headrest. The optional convertible model also carries over.

1989 For 1989, GM made new N10 dual catalytic converter exhaust available, freeing up 13% more power from some LB9 and L98 equipped Trans Ams. L98 ups to 235 hp. Firebirds optioned with t-tops received new Lexan plastic tops. The new tops were lighter in weight and tinted darker, but were more dome shaped and aged rapidly. GM replaced many sets with glass under warranty, but the Lexan tops continued through 1992. All rear disc brake optioned Firebirds now receive PBR brake calipers and larger brake rotors. This resolved issues GM encountered with the earlier rear discs, and increased stopping power. Introduction of GM's Vehicle Anti Theft System or V.A.T.S. makes all Firebirds more theft resistant by incorporating a small resistor into the key. VATS equipped cars also display antitheft system warning decals in the lower rear corners of side windows. A new CD player is offered. The convertible model carries over.

The Trans Am is selected to pace the Indianapolis 500. Pontiac markets another pace car replica. This special 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am (TTA) based on the GTA is only available in white with tan interior and comes equipped with a Buick 3.8L V6 with a turbocharger developed for the Buick Grand National. These replicas are as close to the actual pace car as any replica offered up to this time. The only changes made to the cars that actually were on the track during the race were the additions of strobe lights and safety equipment. 1,555 were produced, 5 being test cars. Out of 1,550 cars produced by PAS, the actual pace cars were randomly selected and sent to Indy for testing and modification. When they were released to the public they were underrated in horsepower. Not all came with T-Tops or with leather, there were hardtops and cloth cars. Every car had an automatic transmission, the 2004R. The five test TTA's, because they were for pre-production use, were pulled off of the assembly line without regard to color and they were not white. At least two of these test cars were sold to private individuals. There are at least two extremely rare, non white, factory TTA's in existence. It’s known that one is red. Only three convertible TTA'S were built by ASC, one of which was bought by the president of PAS, the other two falling into private hands.

Specs:

1,321 T-Top & Leather Interior 187 T-Top & Cloth Interior 24 Hardtop & Leather Interior 15 Hardtop & Cloth Interior (Base) 3 Convertible (prev. T-Top) & Leather int. 4 Test Cars with T-Top & Cloth Interior 1 Test Car with Hardtop & Leather Interior

1990

In 1990 a driver’s side air bag was now standard. The Firebird interior again meets a redesign, this time the changes are much less drastic. Pontiac changes the lower dash and under dash panels. Accessory switches get new panel above heater and radio controls. Shoulder belts are added in the back. The console got a new shift indicator and different leather boot. Steering wheel mounted radio controls disappear from the GTA with the addition of the airbag. L98 cars no longer offered in a convertible due to supposed torque limitations of the unibody construction. Like the 1990 Camaro, the Firebird also only received a half year production as Pontiac raced to release the 1991. LB9 and L98 platforms updated with new speed density fuel injection. The elimination of the MAF sensor was for cheaper production costs and supposed improved performance.

  1991 Firebird with re-styled nose

1991

For 1991, all Firebirds received restyled noses loosely fashioned after "Banshee" show car as Pontiac was developing the new fourth generation platform. Trans Ams ground effects were restyled as well. The Base model Firebird was made available with Trans Am ground effects. The Trans Am and Firebird Formula received new fiberglass constructed, flat, wrap-around wing spoilers. The new styling brought higher sales, up from 1990's sales. All L98 cars now receive N10 dual catalytic converters standard. The Trans Am and GTA got updated 2 piece taillights with "PONTIAC" scripted in orange across the panels. Center high mounted stop lamps move to inside top edge of hatch. The Firebird convertible is now built on-site on the production line. Previously, ASC was converting customer/dealer ordered T-tops cars, but not officially offered through GM. The Firebird convertible was available with the LHO 3.1L V6, the L03 5.0 V8, and the LB9 5.0 V8. Production improvements led to use of new body sealants that added to the rigidity of the body.

1992

1992 marked the final year for third generation platform. 1992 provided few changes for the Firebird. Mid-year tuned port injected cars received blank throttle body plates rather than the "TUNED PORT INJECTION" plates of prior years, and black painted valve covers rather than the previous years silver components. The end of the L98 in the Corvette led to rough cast runners finding their way into L98 birds. Some cars received special rubber snubbers on the rear hatch frame designed to make the hatch more stable. Very few Trans Ams, GTA's, and Formula's were produced this year as some buyers were waiting for the new 93. In 1992, a company by the name of Street Legal Performance(SLP), modified a factory built Formula into what they called the "Firehawk". When you were to purchase your car, you would specify that you wanted this limited option. Then the Formula you selected, was sent out to SLP to be modified. No two cars they produced were alike, for they all were special orders. SLP had anticipated making 250 of these screaming machines, but only 27 were ordered. Out of those only 25 were ever built. They were numbered 1-25 for hardtops (numbers 18 and 23 were never built), and the ONLY Firehawk Convertible was numbered 27. Of those 25 Firehawks 21 were "Mandatory" Red, 1 Aqua, 1 White, 1 Blue, 1 Green, 11 had the Competition Package, 3 came with Aluminum Engine Blocks, 1 had T-Tops and 1 was a Convertible. RPO Code: B4U

Standard features: $39,995

• SLP modified 350 engine rated at 350 hp@5500 rpm and 390 ft·lbf@4400 rpm
• 17"X9.5" Ronal Rims with Firestone Firehawk SZ P275/275/40 ZR17 tires
• ZF 6-speed manual transmission with carbon fiber clutch
• Stainless catalytic converter exhaust system
• A performance Dana 44 rear axle with 3.54:1 Posi-gears
• Special Firehawk badging decals and numbered plaque

Competition Package: $9,995

• Cross-drilled 13 in Brembo Ferrari F-40 brakes
• Full roll cage minus the back seat
• Aluminum hood
• Recaro racing seats with full harnesses by Simpson and rear seat delete.

The engine:

• 4-bolt main engine block
• Forged steel crankshaft
• 1053 alloy forged steel "Pink" connecting rods
• Lightweight high silicon cast aluminum pistons
• Steel billet hydraulic roller camshaft
• High output aluminum cylinder heads with stainless steel valves
• Ray Falconer designed port injection intake manifold

Performance:

• Power to weight ratio: 9.7 lb per hp
• 0 to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds
• Quarter mile time: 13.2 seconds @ 107 mph
• Top speed: 160 mph
• Skid pad: 0.88g on full tread