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 |
|
6 | 9 | Year: 1979 |
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 | $4825 | 3257 | 38,642 both 6 & V8 |
2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V8 | 4 | $5020 | 3330 | |
2F | T87 | 2-door Hardtop Esprit - V6 | 4 | $5193 | 3287 | 30,853 |
2F | T87 | 2-door Hardtop Esprit - V8 | 4 | $5388 | 3360 | |
2F | V87 | 2-door Hardtop Formula | 4 | $6018 | 3452 | 24,346 |
2F | W87 | 2-door Hardtop Trans Am | 4 | $5799 | 3511 | 93,341 |
VIN Code | A (Buick) | Y | W | H | X (Buick) | R (Olds) | L (LM1) (Chev) | Z (Olds) | K (Olds) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 90° V-8 |
Valving | Overhead valve | 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 | Cast-iron |
Head | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron |
Bore & Stroke | 3.80 x 3.40 in. | 4.06 x 3.04 in. | 4.06 x 3.04 in. | 3.74 x 3.48 in. | 3.80 x 3.85 in. | 4.06 x 3.38 | 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.35 x 3.38 | 4.35 x 3.38 |
Displacement | 231 cid (3.8 liters) | 301 cid (5.0 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) | 403 cid (6.6 liters) | 403 cid (6.6 liters) |
Compression ratio | 8.0 : 1 | 8.1 : 1 | 8.1 : 1 | 8.4 : 1 | 8.0 : 1 | 7.9 : 1 | 8.2 : 1 | 7.9 : 1 (opt: 8.1 : 1) | 7.9 : 1 |
Brake H.P. | 105 @ 3200 rpm | 140 @ 3600 | 150 @ 3800 rpm | 133 @ 4000 rpm | 155 @ 3400 rpm | 160 @ 3600 rpm | 160 @ 3800 rpm | 185 @ 3600 rpm | 185 @ 3600 rpm |
Torque (lb-ft) | 185 @ 2000 rpm | 235 @ 2000 rpm | 240 @ 2400 rpm | 244 @ 2000 rpm | 280 @ 1800 rpm | 270 @ 2000 rpm | 260 @ 2400 rpm | 320 @ 2000 rpm | 320 @ 2200 rpm |
Main bearings | Four | Five | Five | Five | Five | Five | Five | Five | Five |
Valve lifters | Hydraulic | ||||||||
Carburetor | 2-barrel Rochester M2ME | 2-barrel Rochester M2MC | 4-barrel Rochester M4MC | 4-barrel Rochester M4MC | 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 | 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 |
1979 Firebird Notes