1982 FIREBIRD

  • A new, aerodynamically restyled Firebird was 1982's foremost news from Pontiac.
  • Instead of the previous four models, the revised Firebird came in three variations:
    • base coupe
    • luxury SE coupe
    • Trans Am coupe
  • Each one had its own suspension and tire setup.
  • Engines:
    • Base engine was now a fuel-injected 151-cid (2.5-liter) four cylinder hooked to a four-speed manual gearbox.
    • The SE carried a standard 173-cid (2.8-liter) two-barrel V-6, also with a four-speed transmission.
    • The Trans Am had a 305-cid (5.0-liter) four-barrel V-8 with a four-speed transmission.
    • Trans Am buyers could also step up to a dual throttle-body (crossfire) fuel injection V-8 with fresh-air hood induction.
  • Body:
    • A low nose now held electrically controlled hidden halogen headlamps.
    • Park/signal lamps sat in squat slots inboard of the headlamps, barely visible with the headlamp doors shut.
    • The twin air slots contained horizontal bars.
    • At the rear was a large, contoured, frameless all-glass hatch.
    • The tail lamps were housed in a full-width back panel.
    • The Firebird SE added full-width black tail lamps, body-color body side moldings, lower accent paint (with striping), turbo cast aluminum wheels, P205/70R14 steel-belted black sidewall tires and rear stabilizer bar.
    • The Trans Am included bird decals on hood and sail panel, front fender air extractors, front and rear wheel-opening flares, and an aero wing deck lid spoiler.
    • A WS6 suspension (optional on SE and Trans Am) included P215/65R15 steel-belted radial (SBR) tires on 7-in. aluminum wheels, larger stabilizer bars, four-wheel disc brakes, a posi-traction rear axle, and tuned springs, shocks, and bushings.
    • Standard Firebird equipment included P195/75R14 glass-belted black sidewall tires, hubcaps, a black-finished grille, a front air dam, power brakes, power steering, a front stabilizer bar, side window defoggers, and a black-finished instrument panel.
  • Interior:
    • Reclining front bucket seats were standard.
    • A new Formula steering wheel had an energy-absorbing hub.

I.D. NUMBERS

Pontiac introduced its new 17-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
It was located on the upper left surface of the instrument panel, visible through the windshield
PositionCharacterDescription
1st1US built
2ndGGeneral Motors product
3rd2Pontiac Motor Division vehicle
4thAManual seatbelts
5thSFirebird
XSE
WTrans Am
6th & 7th87Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
8th*Engine type where * is replaced by the following
  • R = 151-cid 4, 90-hp
  • 2 = 151-cid 4, 90-hp
  • X = 173-cid V6, 112-hp
  • 1 = 173-cid V6, 112-hp
  • H = 305-cid V8, 145-hp
  • 7 = 305-cid V8, 165-hp
9th?A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
10thCThe model year where C = 1982
11th_Manufacturing plant code
12th to 17th100001 and upProduction sequence serial number

IDENTIFICATION

Model NumberStyle NumberBody TypeSeatingFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
2FS872-door Hardtop Base Firebird - Four4$7996 41,863
both 4 & V8
2FS872-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V64$8121 
2FX872-door Hardtop SE - V64$9624 21,719
2FX872-door Hardtop SE - V84$9819 
2FW872-door Hardtop Trans Am - V84$9658 52,960

ENGINE

VIN Code R or 2 X or 1 H (Chev) 7
Cylinders Four (inline) 60° V-6 90° V-8 90° V-8
Valving Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve
Block Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Head Cast-iron Aluminum Cast-iron Cast-iron
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.00 in. 3.50 x 3.00 in. 3.74 x 3.48 in. 4.00 x 3.00 in.
Displacement 151 cid (2.5 liters) 173 cid (2.8 liters) 305 cid (5.0 liters) 305 cid (5.0 liters)
Compression ratio8.2 : 1 8.5 : 1 8.6 : 1 9.5 : 1
Brake H.P. 90 @ 4000 rpm 105 @ 4800 145 @ 4000 rpm 165 @ 4200 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 134 @ 2400 rpm 142 @ 2400 rpm 240 @ 2000 rpm 240 @ 2400 rpm
Main bearings Five Four Five Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic
Carburetor Throttle-body fuel injection2-barrel Rochester E2SE 4-barrel Rochester E4METhrottle-body fuel Injection

TRANSMISSION

Four-speed Transmission Standard
Three-speed Turbo-Hydra-MaticOptional
Final drive ratio with V-63.23 : 1
Final drive ratio with V-83.23 : 1

CHASSIS

FeatureFirebirdSETrans Am
Wheelbase101.0 in.101.0 in.101.0 in.
Overall length189.8 in.189.8 in.189.8 in.
Height49.8 in.49.849.8
Width72.072.072.0
Front tread60.760.760.7
Rear tread60.660.660.6
TiresP195/75R14 GBR BSWP205/70R14 SBR BSWP205/70R14 SBR BSW
SteeringRecirculating ball
Front suspensionModified MacPherson struts with coil springs between lower control arm and X-member
Rear suspensionTorque arm/track bar with coil springsTorque arm/track bar with coil springs and anti-sway bar
BrakesFront disc, rear drums
IgnitionElectronic
Body constructionUnit
Fuel tank16 gal

OPTIONS

151-cid four (Firebird SE)$125 credit
173-cid V-6 (Firebird)$125
305-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird)$295
305-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird SE)$170 - $195
Dual EFI engine package (Trans Am)$899
Turbo-Hydra-Matic (Firebird)$396
Turbo-Hydra-Matic (Trans Am)$72
Limited-slip differential$76
Power four-wheel disc brakes (Firebird)$255
Power four-wheel disc brakes (in performance package)N/C
Heavy-duty radiator$40
Heavy-duty battery$22 - $25
Heavy-duty alternator$51
Engine block heater$17 - $18
California emissions$65
Trans Am Recaro option$2486 - $2968
Special performance package (SE and Trans Am)$387 - $417
Firebird custom exterior$73 - $134
Firebird luxury trim$299 - $844
Air conditioning$595 - $675
Cruise control$145 - $165
Power windows$152 - $235
Hatchback roof$790 - $826

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Introduced on Jan. 14, 1982
  • While other Pontiac models dropped in sales, the Firebird increased from 70,899 to 116,382
  • The new Firebird design received extensive wind tunnel testing

1982 FIREBIRD PHOTOS


1982 Firebird
1982 Firebird
1982 Trans Am
1982 Trans Am
1982 Trans Am

LITERATURE & LINKS




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