1978 FIREBIRD

  • The appearance of the sporty Firebird was similar to 1977, with rectangular quad headlamps and a dark grille
  • Wide three-row tail lamps had back-up lights at the inner ends, close to the license plate
  • Tail lamp ribs filled most of the back panel
  • Base engine was the 231-cid (3.8-liter) V-6 with three-speed shift
  • Formula had a 305-cid (5.0-liter) V-8, while Trans Am carried a 400-cid four-barrel V-8
  • Equipment included
    • Endura bumpers
    • hubcaps
    • dual horns
    • FR78x15 SBR tires
    • bucket seats
    • a heater/defroster
  • Esprit added
    • wheel covers
    • sport mirrors
    • bright hood and wheel opening moldings
    • custom pedal trim
  • The Trans Am included
    • a front air dam
    • black grille
    • rear spoiler
    • sport mirrors
    • rear wheel air deflectors
    • Rally II wheels
    • "shaker" hood and air cleaner
    • rally instrument panel with tachometer.
  • Formula and Trans Am models had power brakes
  • Automatic transmission was standard on the Formula and Trans Am, but Formula Firebird buyers could get a four-speed manual at no extra cost.

I.D. NUMBERS

 VIN LocationOn top of dash at left, viewable through windshield
PositionCharacterDescription
12General Motors: Pontiac Division
2SBasic Firebird
TFirebird Esprit
UFirebird Formula
WTrans Am
3 & 487hardtop coupe
5Engine code
  • A = 231-cid two-barrel V-6
  • U = 305-cid four-barrel V-8
  • X = 350-cid four-barrel V-8
  • L = 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (LM1)
  • R = 350-cid four-barrel V-8
  • Z = 400-cid four-barrel V-8
68Year: 1978
7_Assembly plant
8 to 13100001 and upproduction sequence

IDENTIFICATION

Model NumberStyle NumberBody TypeSeatingFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
2FS872-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V64$4545328532,672
both 6 & V8
2FS872-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V84$46953377
2FT872-door Hardtop Esprit - V64$4842328536,926
2FT872-door Hardtop Esprit - V84$49923408
2FU872-door Hardtop Formula4$5448345224,346
2FW872-door Hardtop Trans Am4$5799351193,341

ENGINE

VIN Code A (Buick) Y U X R (Olds) L (LM1) (Chev) Z K (Calif)
Cylinders 90° V-6 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8
Valving Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve
Block Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Head Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Bore & Stroke3.80 x 3.40 in. 4.00 x 3.00 in. 3.74 x 3.48 in. 3.88 x 3.75 in. 4.06 x 3.38 4.00 x 3.48 4.12 x 3.75 4.35 x 3.38
Displacement 231 cid (3.8 liters) 301 cid (5.0 liters)305 cid (5.0 liters) 350 cid (5.7 liters) 350 cid (5.7 liters) 350 cid (5.7 liters) 400 cid (6.6 liters) 403 cid (6.6 liters)
Compression ratio8.0 : 1 8.2 : 1 8.4 : 1 8.0 : 1 7.9 : 1 8.2 : 1 7.7 : 1 (opt: 8.1 : 1) 8.0 : 1
Brake H.P. 105 @ 3200 rpm 135 @ 3800 145 @ 3800 rpm 170 @ 4000 rpm 170 @ 3800 rpm 170 @ 3800 rpm 180 @ 3600 rpm (opt: 220 @ 4000 rpm)185 @ 3600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 185 @ 2000 rpm 235-245 @ 2000 rpm 245 @ 2400 rpm 280 @ 1800 rpm 275 @ 2000 rpm 270 @ 2400 rpm 325 @ 1600 rpm (opt: 320 @ 2800 rpm)320 @ 2200 rpm
Main bearings Four Five Five Five Five Five Five Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic
Carburetor 2-barrel Rochester 2GC2-barrel Rochester 2-barrel Rochester 2GC4-barrel Rochester M4MC4-barrel Rochester M4MC4-barrel Rochester M4MC4-barrel Rochester M4MC4-barrel Rochester M4MC

TRANSMISSION

Three-speed manual floor shift
Four-speed manual shift
Three-speed automatic

CHASSIS

FeatureFirebirdEspritFormulaTrans Am
Wheelbase108.1 in.108.1 in.108.1 in.108.1 in.
Overall length196.8 in.196.8 in.196.8 in.196.8 in.
Height49.3 in.49.349.549.5
Width73.473.473.473.4
Front tread60.960.961.361.2
Rear tread60.060.060.460.3
TiresFR78x15FR78x15FR78x15GR70x15
SteeringRecirculating ball
Front suspensioncoil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar
Rear suspensionsemi-elliptic leaaf springs with anti-sway bar
BrakesFront disc, rear drums
IgnitionElectronic
Body constructionUnit with separate partial frame
Fuel tank21 gal

OPTIONS

305-cid four-barrel V-8$150
350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird)$265
350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula)$115
400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula)$280
403-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula)$205
Four-speed manual floor shift transmission$125
Four-speed manual floor shift transmission$182 credit
Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission$270
Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmissionN/C
Safe-T-Track differential$60
Power brakes$60
Heavy-duty alternator$31
Engine block heater$13
Esprit "Skybird" appearance package$426 - $461
Trans Am special edition$1259
Firebird custom trim group$35 - $154
Formula appearance package$137
Trans Am special performance package$249 - $324
Air conditioning$470 - $581
Cruise control$90 - $95
Power windows$118 - $190
Hatch roof$625
Canopy top$111

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Introduced Oct. 6, 1977
  • High sales of the Trans Am of 1977-79 was certainly due to the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, and Jackie Gleason. It was a cops-and-robbers chase spectacular. The "bandit" was the unstoppable black Trans Am.

1978 FIREBIRD PHOTOS


1978 Trans Am
1978 Trans Am
1978 Trans Am
1978 Trans Am
1978 Trans Am
1978 Trans Am
1978 Trans Am
1978 Firebird Esprit
1978 Firebird Formula
1978 Firebird Formula
1978 Firebird Formula
1978 Firebird Formula

LITERATURE & LINKS




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