What was the 1980 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo?
What was the 1980 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo?
The ultimate Trans Am Turbo was the 1980 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica. There were originally supposed to be 6,300 of these (eventually cut to 5,700). The Pace Car replicas were essentially Trans Ams with the turbo engine and every available Firebird option, including a T-top roof, air conditioning,…
What was the first turbocharged Pontiac car?
It was Pontiac’s first turbocharged production car, but it also brought down the curtain on a storied era of unique Pontiac engines. This is the story of the little-loved, often-forgotten Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo.
What was the rear axle ratio of a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am?
The 1979 W72 was mandatory with a 4-speed manual transmission with a factory Hurst shifter and 3.23 rear axle ratio. For those Trans Am owners who were used to the more powerful Trans Ams of the 1970s, the Turbo Trans Am was a letdown.
What kind of V8 did Pontiac have in 1980?
For 1980, the only V8s left in Pontiac’s inventory were the 301 and 265 cubic-inch V8s. The 301 was the best choice for Trans Am duty starting in 1980. However even with a semi-performance engine tune, a free-flow dual outlet exhaust system, and a 4-bbl carburetor the most horsepower the 301 V8 could produce for 1980 was 155.
The ultimate Trans Am Turbo was the 1980 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica. There were originally supposed to be 6,300 of these (eventually cut to 5,700). The Pace Car replicas were essentially Trans Ams with the turbo engine and every available Firebird option, including a T-top roof, air conditioning,…
It was Pontiac’s first turbocharged production car, but it also brought down the curtain on a storied era of unique Pontiac engines. This is the story of the little-loved, often-forgotten Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo.
What kind of engine did the Pontiac Firebird have?
A 4.9L Turbocharged V-8 was showcased in the 1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy Pace Car edition. During 1980-81, a 5.0L V-8 was the largest engine offered. Although less powerful and much more common than earlier high-performance Firebirds, late ’70s Trans Ams are enjoying renewed popularity today.
The 1979 W72 was mandatory with a 4-speed manual transmission with a factory Hurst shifter and 3.23 rear axle ratio. For those Trans Am owners who were used to the more powerful Trans Ams of the 1970s, the Turbo Trans Am was a letdown.
