Pontiac Firebird (1980) – Ultimate Guide

Introduction

  • 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
2F T87 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V6 4 $5967 3304 17,277
2F T87 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V8 4 $6147 3377
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

1980 Firebird 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 Automotive Notes

  • GM news:
  • Ford news:
  • Chrysler news:
  • AMC news:
  • Other makes news:
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1980
1. General Motors  5,053,190
2. Ford  1,584,894
3. Chrysler  764,122
4. AMC  199,613
5. Others   511
  • Top model year production for 1980
Chevrolet   2,288,745
Ford   1,162,275
Oldsmobile  910,306
Buick   854,011
Skyhawk   8,322
Skylark   265,654
Century   141,936
Regal   214,735
LeSabre   99,770
Electra    22568,480
Riviera   48,621
Pontiac   770,100
Mercury   347,711
Dodge   308,638
Plymouth   290,974
Cadillac   230,028
Seville   39,344
DeVille  104,678
Eldorado   52,685
Fleetwood Brougham  31,959
Fleetwood Limousine   2,362
AMC   199,613
Spirit   71,032
Concord    80,456
Pacer   1,746
AMX    n/a
Eagle   46,379
Chrysler   164,510
Lincoln  74,908
Checker   250
Avanti II   168
Excalibur   93

1980 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery