1978 FIREBIRD

Introduction

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.

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
	U	Firebird Formula
	W	Trans Am
3 & 4	87	hardtop coupe
5	Engine 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
6	8	Year: 1978
7	_	Assembly plant
8 to 13	100001 and up	production sequence

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V6	4	$4545	3285	32,672 both 6 & V8
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V8	4	$4695	3377	32,672 both 6 & V8
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V6	4	$4842	3285	36,926
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V8	4	$4992	3408	36,926
2F	U87	2-door Hardtop Formula	4	$5448	3452	24,346
2F	W87	2-door Hardtop Trans Am	4	$5799	3511	93,341

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 & Stroke	3.80 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 ratio	8.0 : 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 2GC	2-barrel Rochester	2-barrel Rochester 2GC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC

Three-speed manual floor shift

Four-speed manual shift

Three-speed automatic

FEATURE	Firebird	Esprit	Formula	Trans Am
Wheelbase	108.1 in.	108.1 in.	108.1 in.	108.1 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	73.4	73.4	73.4	73.4
Front tread	60.9	60.9	61.3	61.2
Rear tread	60.0	60.0	60.4	60.3
Tires	FR78x15	FR78x15	FR78x15	GR70x15
Steering	Recirculating ball
Front suspension	coil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar
Rear suspension	semi-elliptic leaaf springs with anti-sway bar
Brakes	Front disc, rear drums
Ignition	Electronic
Body construction	Unit with separate partial frame
Fuel tank	21 gal

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 transmission	N/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

1978 Firebird 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.