1980 FIREBIRD

CHASSIS
ENGINE
HISTORY
ID
LITERATURE
OPTIONS
PHOTOS

Appearance changes were minimal, but the Firebird got a sharply altered engine selection this year.
- Base engine for base and Esprit models remained the 231-cid (3.8-liter) V-6.
- A new 265-cid (4.3-liter) V-8 was optional along with a 301-cid (4.9-liter) four-barrel V-8.
- Trans Ams now carried the E/C 301-cid four-barrel V-8, which was optional on Formula models.
- Both the Trans Am and Formula could also get a new turbocharged 301-cid four barrel.
- As in other models, California cars had a modified selection, including a 305-cid V-8 standard in the Trans Am and formula.
Base and Esprit Firebirds still had a three-speed manual transmission, while the Formula and Trans Am carried automatic transmissions.
All California Firebirds were equipped with automatic transmission.
Dual exhausts came in a lighter weight design this year.
- Turbocharged Firebirds included a unique hood with special bird decal.
- Turbo graphics went on the hood and deck lid spoiler.
- Another bird decal was available for non-turbo Trans Ams.
A new "Yellow Bird" option package with gold accent striping replaced the former Redbird package.
Trans Am buyers could again get a black-painted Special Edition package, either with or without a hatch roof.
New Trans Am graphics colors included bronze-and-burgundy and a revised red-and-gold combination.
New seating came in five colors.
Dark blue was a new interior color.
New optional electronic-tuned stereo radios came with a four-speaker system.
Tungsten halogen headlamps remained available.

I.D. NUMBERS

	VIN Location	On top of dash at left, viewable through windshield
Position	Character	Description
1	2	General Motors: Pontiac Division
2	S	Basic Firebird
	T	Firebird Esprit
	V	Firebird Formula
	W	Trans Am
3 & 4	87	hardtop coupe
5	Engine code	A = 231-cid two-barrel V-6 S = 265-cid two-barrel V-8 W = 301-cid four-barrel V-8 T = 301-cid four-barrel V-8 H = 305-cid four-barrel V-8
6	A	Year: 1980
7	_	Assembly plant
8 to 13	100001 and up	production sequence

IDENTIFICATION

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V6	4	$5604	3269	29,811 both 6 & V8
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V8	4	$5784	3342	29,811 both 6 & V8
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V6	4	$5967	3304	17,277
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V8	4	$6147	3377	17,277
2F	V87	2-door Hardtop Formula	4	$6955	3410	9,358
2F	W87	2-door Hardtop Trans Am	4	$7179	3429	50,898

ENGINE

VIN Code	A (Buick)	S	W	E/C	T (turbocharged)	H (Calif.)
Cylinders	90° V-6	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
Block	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
Bore & Stroke	3.80 x 3.40 in.	3.75 x 3.00 in.	4.06 x 3.04 in.	4.06 x 3.04 in.	4.06 x 3.04 in.	3.74 x 3.48
Displacement	231 cid (3.8 liters)	265 cid (4.3 liters)	301 cid (5.0 liters)	301 cid (5.0 liters)	301 cid (5.0 liters)	305 cid (5.0 liters)
Compression ratio	8.0 : 1	8.3 : 1	8.1 : 1	8.4 : 1	7.6 : 1	8.4 : 1
Brake H.P.	110 @ 3800 rpm	120 @ 3600	140 @ 4000 rpm	155 @ 4400 rpm	210 @ 4000 rpm	150 @ 3800 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)	190 @ 1600 rpm	210 @ 1600 rpm	240 @ 1800 rpm	240 @ 2200 rpm	345 @ 2000 rpm	230 @ 2400 rpm
Main bearings	Four	Five	Five	Five	Five	Five
Valve lifters	Hydraulic
Carburetor	2-barrel Rochester M2ME	2-barrel Rochester	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC

TRANSMISSION

Three-speed manual floor shift

Four-speed manual shift

Three-speed automatic

CHASSIS

Feature	Firebird	Esprit	Formula	Trans Am
Wheelbase	108.2 in.	108.2 in.	108.2 in.	108.2 in.
Overall length	196.8 in.	196.8 in.	196.8 in.	196.8 in.
Height	49.3 in.	49.3	49.5	49.5
Width	73.0	73.0	73.0	73.0
Front tread	60.9	60.9	61.3	61.2
Rear tread	60.0	60.0	60.4	60.3
Tires	P205/75R15	P205/75R15	P225/70R15 SBR	P225/70R15 SBR
Steering	Recirculating ball
Front suspension	coil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar
Rear suspension	semi-elliptic leaf springs with anti-sway bar
Brakes	Front disc, rear drums		Front disc, rear disc
Ignition	Electronic
Body construction	Unit with separate partial frame
Fuel tank	21 gal

OPTIONS

265-cid two-barrel V-8 (Firebird)	$150
301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird)	$325
301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am)	$180 credit
E/C 301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula)	$150
Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Formula)	$530
Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Trans Am)	$350
305-cid V-8 four-barrel (Firebird)	$295
Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission	$358
Limited slip differential	$81
Power brakes	$81
Power four-wheel disc brakes (Formula/Trans Am)	$162
Super-cooling radiator (Firebird)	$35-$64
Heavy-duty battery	$19 - $23
Heavy-duty alternator	$15 - $51
Engine block heater	$16
Esprit "Yellow Bird" appearance package	$505 - $550
Trans Am Special Edition	$748
Trans Am Special Edition with hatch roof	$1443
Formula appearance package	$100
Formula special performance package	$281 - $481
Trans Am special performance package	$281 - $481
Air conditioning	$531 - $647
Cruise control	$105 - $116
Hatch roof	$695

HISTORICAL NOTES

Introduced on Oct. 11, 1979
This was a bad time throughout the industry.
Pontiac sold 107,344 Firebird models down from 187,182 in 1979 (57%)
Camaro also dropped from 282,571 to 152,005 (54%)
A white limited edition Turbo Trans Am was the Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500
Robert Stempel moved from Pontiac's general manager to became head of General Motors
William E. Hoglund became Pontiac's general manager

1980 FIREBIRD PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS

email me: