Below you'll find some information I have collected about the 1982-1992 Firebirds......
FIREBIRD HISTORY
1982
The new third generation Firebirds and Trans Ams arrived on January 14, 1982; the model line was pared to the base Firebird, the Firebird S/E, and the Trans Am
Radically restyled, the T/A now sported a sleek, aero shape that registered some of the lowest .Cd numbers ever registered up to that time..... some models recorded as low as .029 Cd in wind tunnel tests
Largest available powerplant (standard in the T/A) was the 5.0L “corporate” GM engine, in either carbureted or throttle-body “Cross-Fire” fuel injection; horsepower ratings were 150 for the four barrel version and 165 for the TBI engine
Originally, Pontiac planned to use the Turbo 4.9L engine from 1980-81 with revisions, and some pre-production photos of the new car featured the “Turbo T/A” engine callouts
The four-speed manual transmission returned on the four-barrel engine, but was N/A on a TBI car; the automatic was optional for both powerplants
First appearance of the “WS-7” suspension package; basically the WS-6 minus the rear disc brakes, this change was necessitated due to the increased demand for WS-6 cars
In fact, there was only a ten-day period when both the WS-6 packages and the TBI engines (a late year arrival) were installed in the same cars
The black/gold edition of the T/A returned as well, coupled with the popular Recaro seats; a limited availability option.... only some 2000 cars were built in 1982..... at a $2,486 (5.0L 4bbl) or a $2,968 (5.0L TBI) premium to the buyer.....
Leather seating surfaces were available (part of optional B20 luxury group) for the entire Firebird line; the only prior use was in the 1979 Tenth Anniversary T/A..... these seats were an $844 option on T/As
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 9.2 seconds, 17.0 seconds @ 80.5 mph (quarter-mile) Engine: 5.0L TBI V8
Trans Am production for 1982 rose markedly to 52,960 units, a substantial jump from the previous year’s totals; this figure included the 2,000 Recaro T/As as well
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1983
1983 marked the first year of improvements for the still new-and-flashy T/A line; several additions and revisions were made, both mechanical and otherwise, as well as a couple new “models”.....
Biggest mechanical news was the addition of the “overdrive twins”..... the new MM5 five-speed manual and the MXO four-speed automatic overdrive transmissions
Standard powerplant remained the 5.0L four barrel V8, with the 5.0L TBI engine checked as an $831 option; the new five-speed manual transmission was standard fare in the T/A..... adios four-speed “box”
November 1, 1982 marked the introduction of the 1983 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Limited Edition T/A; limited to a run of 2,500 cars, this was the first third-generation T/A to sport an “aero” body kit
Also released on the same date was the second “model”..... the Recaro seat option was greatly amplified and marketed as the Recaro Special Edition T/A; the package content was quite complete and included specific graphics and other items both inside the car and out, including the first use of the famous “venetian blind” hood bulge decal
The Recaro T/A carried a stiff $3,160 (5.0L / 4 bbl.) penalty; buyers who selected the 5.0L TBI T/A engine were hit with a $3,610 tab for all the “Recaro goodies”
June 10, 1983 brought the introduction of the 5.0L HO engine in the T/A; rated at 190 hp, the engine was basically a “package option” with many other features tacked on as well
Other features of the HO package included the WS6 suspension package, the MM5 manual transmission, and a 3.73 rear axle ratio; specific suspension pieces and tuning were also part of the package
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 7.9 seconds, 16.1 seconds @ 85.0 mph (quarter-mile) Engine: 5.0L HO V8
T/A production for 1983 dropped to 31, 930 units, a drop of some 20,000 units over the previous year
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1984
1984 marked the fifteenth (15th) anniversary for the T/A..... naturally, Pontiac didn’t disappoint the faithful masses......
Powerplants remained limited to five liters (5.0L), with the base engine checking in at 150 hp and the 5.0L HO motor showing 190 hp; the TBI “CrossFire” engine was dropped from the books for 1984
For the first time, an optional aero package could be ordered for any T/A for $199 extra; it was a no-cost feature in the Y84 Special Edition Recaro T/A package
Again available in only black/gold, the Recaro T/A featured full leather trimmed seats for the first time as part of its luxury interior; the price for the package was, however, reduced to $1,621
1984 also was the first year that the “Trans Am” logo was applied to the rear bumper on the RH side
Wheel design were again shifted as the finned 15” wheels lost their aero covers this year; the standard wheel was a deep-dish high-tech aero design, with the finned cast aluminum wheels a no-cost option
First seen in October 1984, the 15th Anniversary T/A was the second in the line of famous “anniversary cars”; produced in very limited quantities (1,500), the 15th T/A was the ultimate 1984 T/A
The 15th T/A featured virtually every option in the books; the 5.0L HO was the standard powerplant; priced at $3,499 more than a regular WS6 T/A, most cars went out the door with @ a $17,500 sticker price
Mechanically, this model was the first F-Body to sport 16” wheels and tires; the VR50 Goodyear “Gatorback” tires were used on 16” white “flush” high-tech aero wheels; some tests complained that the suspension was not up to the level of the tire/wheel combo
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 7.8 seconds, 16.2 seconds @ 86 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.0L HO V8
T/A production for 1984 rebounded to 55,374 total units, including the 1,500 Anniversary cars
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1985
1985 marked the first major “restyle” for the third generation T/A; both the interior and exterior of the car were treated to a thorough makeover
The aero panels were made standard fare on the T/A and were much more integrated into the car’s design; the hood was new and featured “louvers” and “extractors’ front and rear, replacing the former asymmetrical “power bulge” found through 1984
Another exterior feature was the newly designed front fog lamps in the lower front fascia; likewise the rear end got a new treatment as well, featuring neutral density tail lamps replacing the previous “louvered” look
The interior was also all new, featuring a softer, kinder appearance over the stark, hardened effect of the previous years; everything from the dash layout to the door panels got a thorough update
Standard powerplant was still the four-barrel 5.0L, but a new engine came on line: the LB9 5.0L Tuned-Port-Injected V8; borrowing the then-new injection system from the Chevy Corvette, the new engine brought 205 hp to bat in 1985
The other optional T/A engine was still the 190 hp, L69 5.0L HO, coupled with the MM5 manual transmission only; the new fuel-injected V8 was available only teamed with the automatic
The WS6 package was also upgraded with beefier pinnings, whereas the “old” WS6 settings became the T/A-standard Y99 package; the new WS6 setup utilized 16” wheels and tires for the first time
This year marked the first appearance of the third-generation T/A in a monochromatic paint scheme (a credit delete option); this look was especially appealing on cars with the new-for-1985 “AeroWing” rear spoiler
T/A wheels were again shuffled, with 1985 being the year of the high-tech turbo aluminum wheel in both 15” (deep-dish) and 16” (flush-face) diameters; a no-cost option on the T/A was a new diamond-spoke design, a wheel which would see major applications in the future
The T/A had no separate Recaro model option for 1985, although the Recaro seats were available as a separate option, along with the Lear Siegler custom front bucket seats as well
No factory limited edition T/As were built for 1985, but there was an official Daytona 500 Pace Car for that year; a two-tone white and charcoal color, the car featured a special hood bird decal and all the appropriate lettering and graphics
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 7.6 seconds, 15.6 seconds @ 87 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.0L L69 HO V8
0 to 60 mph @ 7.79 seconds, 16.07 seconds @ 84.5 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.0L LB9 TPI V8
Production for 1985 clocked in at 44,028 units..... a bit down from the previous year’s totals, but still respectable
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1986
For the T/A, the 1986 model year was basically, the year of the brake light......
Federal regulations mandated the use of a center mounted stop lamp on all 1986 model US cars, and the T/A got one too...... right in the middle of its hatchback glass
Basically a year of minor changes and adjustments after the previous year’s overhaul; the T/A still received some worthwhile updates
1986 was the first year for the basecoat/clearcoat paint system on the T/A, providing a more luxurious and longer-lasting exterior finish; a total of thirteen colors were available for the top Firebird model
Some interior additions included the use of new back-lit graphics on the instrument panel, a new electronic day/night rear view mirror, and the use of a new 140 mph speedometer on TPI-equipped cars
Standard engine was the 160 hp, 5.0L 4bbl V8; the LB9 TPI V8 was optional at 190 hp, derated due to emissions regulations, whereas the L69 5.0L HO was dropped soon after the start of the model year
Transmission selection was either manual or automatic on the base engine, and automatic only on the TPI motor
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 8.2 seconds, 16.23 seconds @ 87 mph (quarter mile)
Engine: 5.0L TPI V8
T/A production rebounded to 48,870 units in 1986, a slight increase over the previous season
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1987
1987 brought with it the first real return of performance: the L98 5.7L TPI V8 engine...... and, along with it, a new model: the Trans Am GTA
Available as an option on the T/A, the GTA brought to bat the 5.7L engine as standard equipment, as well as the WS6 suspension package, and a list of other performance upgrades; the exterior likewise was exclusive to the model as well: a monochromatic exterior scheme contrasted by gold accents, including the wheels
The T/A came with the base 5.0L TBI V8, rated at 160 hp; optional were the 205 hp 5.0L TPI and the 210 hp 5.7L TPI "twins".....
Manual transmissions were limited to the smaller V8 engines; the big 5.7L V8 was offered with the automatic only
A mid-year option on the T/A was the Ultima articulatng bucket seats; these were standard on the GTA models; the basic interior configuration continued as before
Wheels were again shuffled on the T/As..... standard was still the 15” high tech wheel, but the previous 16” flush “aero” wheels were dropped in favor of a new deep-dish, high-tech aero design; also optional were the 16” diamond-spoke aluminum rims
The 1987 model year marked the last year the Firebird models were produced at the plant in Norwood, OH; it was closed in August 1987, leaving only the Van Nuys, CA plant in production
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 6.8 seconds, 15.10 seconds @ 92 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.7L TPI V8
Overall T/A production in 1987 clocked in at 32,875 units, including 9,481 Trans Am GTA models
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1988
1988 saw continued refinement in the T/A line, as option packages and standard equipment levels alike were thoroughly shuffled; the GTA remained optional for the T/A, although it was touted more as a separate model
This was the first popular year for two future option “mainstays” on the T/A: the monochromatic paint scheme and the diamond-spoke aluminum wheels
The GTA model was fully contented for 1988; the only options were exterior color, engine selection, T-tops, leather trimmed seats, and the digital dash package
Standard powerplant for the T/A remained the 5.0L TBI engine; the 5.0L TPI received a power boost for this year: manual-equipped cars got a “hotter” camshaft and were rated at 215 hp, whereas the automatic cars were rated at 190 hp
Still standard in the GTA and optional for the T/A was the 225 hp L98 5.7L TPI engine; it remained teamed with the 700R-4 overdrive automatic
New for the GTA was a new Notchback rear decklid treatment; available after December 1987, the new decklid transformed the car’s stance and gave the appearance of a “fastback” styled rear end
Also new for the T/A in 1988 was the availability of the 1LE Performance Package, a unique suspension package that transformed cars equipped with it into road-ready, street-legal autocross racing cars; only three (3) T/As left the factory so equipped in 1988
Performance times: 0-60 mph @ 7.1 seconds, 15.5 seconds @ 85 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.7L TPI V8
1988 production spiraled down to a total of 18,558 units, including 9,765 GTA models
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1989
1989 was yet another anniversary year for the T/A, and, naturally, Pontiac didn’t disappoint; the Twentieth (20th) Anniversary T/A was released in a limited run of 1,555 units
Based on the GTA model, the 20th T/A sported a Pontiac-massaged version of the famous Buick 3.8L V6 Turbo engine from the recently departed Buick Regal Grand National; with a laughingly listed output of 250 hp, these cars were the fastest T/As since the days of the SD455
The other T/A models..... base Trans Am, and the GTA..... soldiered on with only minor changes for the year; for example, WS6 cars received new ZR-rated Goodyear Gatorbacks, instead of the previous season’s VR-rated tires
1989 marked the first year that a CD-equipped stereo was available in the T/A; the GTAs with this unit did not use the steering wheel radio controls, but instead used the standard T/A leather-wrapped wheel
The GTA’s Notchback option was cancelled before the start of production in 1989, ensuring that it would become a rare option due to its single year of availability
The N10 dual converter exhaust option first appeared this year for 5.0L cars with the five-speed transmission, and for the 5.7L engine as well; utilizing two separate catalytic converters forward of the mufflers, this option added ten (10) hp due to the decreased backpressure in the exhaust system
Again, the 5.0L TBI, in uprated 170 hp form, was the standard engine in the T/A; the TPI engines were optional; power ratings were inched upwards this year once again
The 5.0L TPI engine was rated at 190 hp with the automatic, but the addition of the five-speed transmission and its required dual converters jumped the output up to 225 hp; the GTAs standard 5.7L engine sported 235 hp with the dual converters, and 225 hp with the single exhaust
The 1LE Performance Package was again available; twenty-six (26) units were built; all the Anniversary T/As were also built to 1LE specifications as well
Performance times: 0-60 mph @ 6.72 seconds, 15.64 seconds @ 92.8 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.0L TPI V8
0-60 mph @ 6.44 seconds, 15.13 seconds @ 94.3 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.7L TPI V8
0-60 mph @ 5.5 seconds, 13.5 seconds @ 100 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 3.8L V6 Turbo
Production in 1989 slipped again to 15,717 units, including the 1,555 Anniversary T/As and 8,435 GTA models
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1990
The 1990 T/A introduced several new features to the line, including the first use of a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint, a.k.a. the ubiquitous "airbag", in the Firebird line
The instrument panel accessory switches were also redesigned and their mounting panels were cleaned up; the difficulty of operation was one subject Pontiac had received a lot of input on
The T/A "dispatched" the 5.0L TBI V8 in 1990, and the 5.0L TPI engine was the standard offering, with the GTA’s 5.7L TPI being the only optional powerplant
Power numbers were again revised on the 5.0L engine; the automatic-equipped cars were rated at 200 hp, whereas the five-speed models were listed at 225 hp for the 5.0L TPI engine
Again, the N10 dual converter exhaust system was standard on both the five-speed 5.0L cars and the 5.7L TPI engines as well
Engine management systems were changed as well this year; a new Speed Density system replaced the previous Mass Air Flow air/fuel metering system on TPI-equipped cars
The 1LE package remained available for 1990, but only four (4) units were built
Performance times: Not Available (N/A)
T/A production plummeted below the previous year’s total with only 1,938 total units built; this figure included 884 GTA models; the short model year played a part in the total number as well, as the cars were really only offered for half the normal model year
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1991
1991 brought about the last facelift for the third-generation cars; inspired by the Banshee show car of 1988, the 1991 T/As were unique, to say the least
Also improved were Pontiac’s construction methods; new adhesives were used to complement the body welds during the car’s assembly, producing the “tightest” third-generation car to date
The revised aero package was for the first time semi-functional; the front fascia featured ducts to channel air to the front brakes for cooling
The standard T/A 5.0L TPI engine received a 5 hp boost to 205 hp with the automatic and 230 hp with the five-speed manual transmission; the optional 5.7L TPI engine received a similar boost to 240 hp
For the first time in the T/A and GTA, the removable hatch roof was N/A with the 5.7L engine; only 5.0L cars were permitted to have this option
A new requirement for the top TPI engines in the T/A and GTA was the Performance Enhancement Group; this grouped the previously optional dual converter exhaust with the engine oil cooler and the performance axle ratio
Also available was a new Performance Axle Ratio package, featuring the performance axle ratio, aluminum propshaft, specific fuel tank with high wall reservoirs, specific fuel sender, wide-strainer fuel pump, and specific 12-inch front disc brakes but it was not available with A/C; this package featured some of the components of the 1LE Showroom Stock package, which was also still available...... sixty-two (62) 1LE T/As were built for 1991
The GTA model retained its fully contented status, albeit at a stiff price.....$24,530; base price for the standard T/A was $17,530
T/A standard underpinnings were an upgraded F41 package and, for the first time, standard 16-inch wheels and tires; the WS6 Performance Package was still optional, with its P245-50ZR/16 performance Goodyear tires
SLP Performance Engineering made its first official appearance in 1991; a dealer-ordered package, the SLP kit featured new performance parts engineered for maximum performance from the TPI engines.....claimed power increases amounted to 50 hp across the board on cars equipped with the performance kit
Also returning to the line for the first time since 1969 on a “factory” basis was the T/A Convertible; the T/A was available in 5.0L TPI trim only, the big 5.7L engine was not offered
Total convertible production for the year was 950 Firebird convertibles and 555 T/A convertibles; the Formula and GTA models were not offered as “droptops”
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 6.36 seconds, 14.86 seconds @ 96.07 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.7L TPI V8
0 to 60 mph @ 7.0 seconds, 15.4 seconds @ 91.3 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.0L TPI V8 (five-speed manual)
Production for 1991 benefited from the extended production year; a total of 7,034 T/As were built for the year, including the 555 convertibles and 2,035 GTA models
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1992
For 1992, the T/A line was basically a carry-over; the main changes were cosmetic..... new body colors, new interior colors, etc.
The previous year’s structural improvements were expanded to include more insulation in the doors, dash, and rear hatch areas to further improve the car’s structural integrity
Again standard was the 5.0L TPI engine, with the Performance Enhancement Group standard on manual-equipped 230 hp 5.0L TPI and all 240 hp 5.7L TPI models
This year, the T/A got a different gold “GTA” wheel and body decal option, but the standard equipment list was as before
The GTA got a new Beige interior color option, replacing the previously used Camel; several new colors were also added to the model, including Jamaica Yellow; the standard equipment list was the same as previous years
Unfortunately, the retail prices were not: the T/A listed for $18,105 (coupe) and $23,875 (convertible), whereas the GTA listed at a staggering $25,880
Again, T-tops were N/A in 5.7L T/As and GTAs, although a special 5.7L Formula model was available with them, in conjunction with the 16-inch diamond-spoke wheels
The 1LE Showroom Stock package again made a small showing for 1992, with only nine (9) T/As equipped with this option
Performance times: 0 to 60 mph @ 6.20 seconds, 14.68 seconds @ 94.1 mph (quarter-mile)
Engine: 5.7L TPI V8
With the new fourth-generation cars on the horizon, 1992 production sagged again to a dismal 1,705 units produced; this figure included 663 convertibles and 226 GTA models
The Firebird history is featured here with premission of Frankie Rider who owns and operates the GTA SOURCE PAGE, thanks a bunch Frankie!!!!!!!!