All about the 1982-92 Firebird and Trans Am

[Trans Am Guru]

The availability and cost of gasoline (two fuel crises had occurred by this time) meant the weight and the fuel consumption of the 3rd generation had to be considered in the design. In F-body development, both the third generation Firebird and Camaro were proposed as possible front wheel drive platforms, but the idea was scrapped. The state of the art of computerized engine management was in its infancy, and as long as saving fuel was the primary objective, it was not possible to have high horsepower and torque numbers. They did manage to cut enough weight from the design so that acceleration performance would be better than the 1981 models. They also succeeded in the fuel consumption department, offering a four-cylinder Firebird that would provide 34 miles per gallon. GM executives decided that engineering effort would best be spent on aerodynamics and chassis development. They created a modern platform, so that when engine technology advanced, they would have a well-balanced package with acceleration, braking, handling, and aerodynamics. For the time being, they would have world class aerodynamics and handling, and excellent fuel economy.

The Firebird and Camaro were completely redesigned for the 1982 model year, with the windshield slope set at 62 degrees, (about three degrees steeper than anything GM had ever tried before), and for the first time, a large, glass-dominated hatchback that required no metal structure to support it. Two concealed pop-up headlights, a first on the F-Body cars, were the primary characteristic that distinguished the third generation Firebird from both its Camaro sibling and its prior form (a styling characteristic carried into the fourth generation's design). In addition to being about 500 pounds (230 kg) lighter than the previous design, the new design was the most aerodynamic product GM had ever released. Wind tunnels were used to form the new F-Body platform's shape, and Pontiac took full advantage of it. The aerodynamic developments extended to the finned aluminum wheels with smooth hubcaps and a functional rear spoiler.

Models
Firebird Base
Firebird S/E (1982-1986)
Firebird Formula (1987-1992)
Firebird Trans Am

Styles
Firebird Base (I4/V6/V8)-Series 2FS (1982–85)
Firebird Base (V6/V8)-Series 2FS (1986-92)
Firebird ASC Convertible (V6/V8)-Series 2FS (1986-89)
Firebird Convertible (V6/V8)-Series 2FS (1991-92)
Firebird Special Edition (S/E) (I4/V6/V8)-Series 2FX (1982–85)
Firebird Special Edition (S/E) (V6/V8)-Series 2FX (1986)
Firebird Formula (V8)-Series 2FS/W66 (1987-92)
Firebird Formula ASC Convertible (V8)-Series 2FS/W66 (1987-89)
Firebird Trans Am-Series 2FW/WS4 (V8) (1982-92)
Firebird Trans Am ASC Convertible (V8)-Series 2FW/WS4 (1986-89)
Firebird Trans Am Convertible (V8) 2FW/WS4 (1991-92)
Firebird Recaro Trans Am (V8)-Series 2FW/Y84 (1982–84)
Firebird Trans Am GTA (V8)-Series 2FW/Y84 (1987-92)
Firebird Trans Am GTA Convertible (V8)-Series 2FW/Y84 (1987-89)
Firebird 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Limited Edition Trans Am-(V8)-Series 2FW/WS4 (1983)
Firebird 15th Anniversary Trans Am-(V8)-Series 2FW/WS4 (1984)
Firebird 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am-(V6 Turbo)-Series 5FW/WS4 (1989)

 

[Pontiac Trans Am]

Great read!

 

[CRZTRBO]

Thanks for posting this.

I learned a lot!