1981 FIREBIRD

Introduction

The Formula had the standard 265-cid (4.3-liter) V-8
It could have the turbocharged 301-cid V-8.
The Turbocharged engine was now available in California
The four-speed manual transmission was available with the four-barrel 305-cid V-8
Standard power brakes now included a low-drag front caliper
It also had
- automatic transmission
- P225/70R15 tires
- simulated twin hood air scoops
- body-color mirrors
- a rear deck spoiler
- Rally II wheels with trim rings.

It had the 301-cid (4.9-liter) four-barrel V-8 with Electronic Spark Control
Optional engine: turbocharged 301-cid V-8.
The Turbocharged engine was now available in California
The four-speed manual transmission was available with the four-barrel 305-cid V-8
A new two-color bird decal for the hood and reflective bird decal for Trans Am's gas filler door was available
It also included
- automatic transmission
- P225/70R15 tires
- black-accent grille and headlamp bezels
- wheel-opening air deflectors
- side-split tailpipe extension
- engine-tuned dash trim plate
- Rally gauges with tachometer
- "shaker" hood
- Rally II wheels

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
Position	Character	Description
1	1	US built
2	G	General Motors product
3	2	Pontiac Motor Division vehicle
4	A	Manual seatbelts
5	S	Firebird
	T	Esprit
	V	Formula
	W	Trans Am
	X	Trans Am Turbo Special Edition
6 & 7	87	Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
8	*	Engine type where * is replaced by the following A = 231-cid V6, 110-hp S = 265-cid V8, 120-hp W = 301-cid V8, 135-hp T = 301-cid V8, 200-hp H = 305-cid V8, 145-hp
9	?	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
10	B	The model year where B = 1981
11	_	Manufacturing plant code
12-17	100001 and up	Production sequence serial number

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V6	4	$6901	3275	20,541 both 6 & V8
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V8	4	$6951	3350	20,541 both 6 & V8
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V6	4	$7646	3312	10,938
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V8	4	$7695	3472	10,938
2F	V87	2-door Hardtop Formula - V6	4	$7854	3397	5,927
2F	V87	2-door Hardtop Formula - V8	4	$7904	3472	5,927
2F	W87	2-door Hardtop Trans Am	4	$8322	3419	33,493
2F	X87	2-door Hardtop Trans Am Turbo SE	4	$12,257		33,493

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.	4.00 x 3.00 in.	4.00 x 3.00 in.	4.00 x 3.00 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	7.5 : 1	8.4 : 1
Brake H.P.	110 @ 3800 rpm	120 @ 4000	135 @ 3600 rpm	150 @ 4000 rpm	200 @ 4000 rpm	145 @ 3800 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)	190 @ 1600 rpm	205 @ 2000 rpm	235 @ 1600 rpm	245 @ 2000 rpm	340 @ 2000 rpm	240 @ 2400 rpm
Main bearings	Four	Five	Five	Five	Five	Five
Valve lifters	Hydraulic
Carburetor	2-barrel Rochester M2ME	2-barrel Rochester E2ME	4-barrel Rochester E4ME	4-barrel Rochester E4ME	4-barrel Rochester E4ME	4-barrel Rochester E4ME

Three-speed manual floor shift

Four-speed manual shift

Three-speed automatic

FEATURE	Firebird	Esprit	Formula	Trans Am
Wheelbase	108.2 in.	108.2 in.	108.2 in.	108.2 in.
Overall length	196.1 in.	196.1 in.	196.1 in.	196.1 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

265-cid two-barrel V-8 (Firebird)	$50
E/C 301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird)	$215
Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Formula)	$652
Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Trans Am)	$437
305-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird/Formula)	$75
305-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am)	$140 credit
Turbo-Hydramatic transmission	$349
Limited slip differential	$67
Power four-wheel disc brakes	$158
Super cooling radiator	$34 - $63
Heavy-duty alternator	$51
Engine block heater	$16
Heavy-duty battery	$22
Trans Am Special Edition	$735
Trans Am Special Edition with hatch roof	$1430
Formula appearance package	$200
Formula special performance package	$350 - 546
Trans Am special performance package	$350 - 546
Firebird custom trim	$45 - 164
Air conditiong	$560 - $625
Cruise control	$132 - $135
Power seat	$173
Power windows	$140 - $211
Hatch roof	$663 - $695

1981 Firebird Notes

Introduced Sept. 25, 1980
Firebird sales dropped sharply in anticipation of the third generation coming in 1982 where over 116,000 were sold.
Total Firebird sales was 70,899 in 1981 in contrast with 1980 sales of 107,344
At the close of the twelve year run of the second generation, a total of 1,153,705 second generation Firebirds were sold
This was an average of 96,142 per year -- not much different from the first generation model where it averaged 92,460 per year.
Early in 1981 Pontiac stopped making V-8 engines, using V-8s from other GM divisions.
William E. Hoglund was Pontiac's new general manager