Pontiac Firebird (1983) – Ultimate Guide
Introduction
- Major changes to the Firebird were in the power train.
- Styling was similar to the 1982 redesign.
- Both four-speed and five-speed manual gearboxes were available this year, along with a four-speed automatic transmission.
- The Firebird SE got a high-output version of the 173-cid (2.8-liter) V-6, along with the five-speed transmission.
- Base models again carried a standard fuel-injected 151-cid (2.5-liter) four with four-speed manual shift.
- The Firebird SE had new cloth seats and a split-folding back seat (also available for other models in a custom trim package).
- New Lear Siegler articulated front bucket seats became optional.
- The Trans Am again carried a standard 5.0-liter V-8, but with the new five-speed transmission and a 3.73:1 axle ratio.
Base Firebird
Standard base Firebird equipment included:
- power brakes
- power steering
- reclining front bucket seats
- P195/75R14 glass-belted radial tires
Firebird SE
The Firebird SE added:
- P205/70R14 SBR tires on turbo cast aluminum wheels
- a handling suspension
- five-speed gearbox
- sport mirrors
- color-keyed body side molding
- lower accent paint with striping
Trans Am
- The Trans Am had a rear spoiler and wheel opening flares.
I.D. NUMBERS
| Pontiac used the industry-wide 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 |
| 1st | 1 | US built |
| 2nd | G | General Motors product |
| 3rd | 2 | Pontiac Motor Division vehicle |
| 4th | A | Manual seatbelts |
| 5th | S | Firebird |
| X | SE | |
| W | Trans Am | |
| 6th & 7th | 87 | Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe |
| 8th | * | Engine type where * is replaced by the following
|
| 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 |
| 10th | D | The model year where D = 1983 |
| 11th | _ | Manufacturing plant code |
| 12th to 17th | 100001 and up | Production sequence serial number |
IDENTIFICATION
| Model Number | Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – Four | 4 | $8399 | 2866 | 32,020 both 4 & V8 |
| 2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V6 | 4 | $8549 | 2948 | |
| 2F | X87 | 2-door Hardtop SE – V6 | 4 | $10,322 | 2965 | 10,934 |
| 2F | X87 | 2-door Hardtop SE – V8 | 4 | $10,397 | 3145 | |
| 2F | W87 | 2-door Hardtop Trans Am – V8 | 4 | $10,396 | 3107 | 31,930 |
ENGINE
| VIN Code | R or 2 | X or 1 | Z | H (Chev) | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinders | Four (inline) | 60° V-6 | 60° V-6 | 90° V-8 | 90° V-8 |
| Valving | Overhead valve | Overhead valve | Overhead valve | Overhead valve | Overhead valve |
| Block | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron | Cast-iron |
| Head | Cast-iron | Aluminum | Aluminum | Cast-iron | Cast-iron |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.00 x 3.00 in. | 3.50 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) | 173 cid (2.8 liters) | 305 cid (5.0 liters) | 305 cid (5.0 liters) |
| Compression ratio | 8.2 : 1 | 8.5 : 1 | 8.9 : 1 | 8.6 : 1 | 9.5 : 1 |
| Brake H.P. | 90-94 @ 4000 rpm | 107 @ 4800 | 125 @ 5400 | 150 @ 4000 rpm | 175 @ 4200 rpm |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 132-135 @ 2800 rpm | 145 @ 2100 rpm | 145 @ 2400 rpm | 240 @ 2400 rpm | 250 @ 2800 rpm |
| Main bearings | Five | Four | Four | Five | Five |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic | ||||
| Carburetor | Throttle-body fuel injection | 2-barrel Rochester E2SE | 2-barrel Rochester E2SE | 4-barrel Rochester E4ME | Throttle-body fuel Injection |
TRANSMISSION
| Four-speed Transmission | Standard on base Firebird |
| Five-speed Transmission | Standard on Firebird SE |
| Three-speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic | Optional |
| Four-speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic | Optional |
| Final drive ratio with 4-speed | 3.42 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with V-6 and 5-speed | 3.73 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with V-8 and 5-speed | 3.23 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with 3-speed automatic | 3.23 : 1 |
| Final drive ratio with 4-speed automatic | 2.93 : 1 |
CHASSIS
| FEATURE | Firebird | SE | Trans Am |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 101.0 in. | 101.0 in. | 101.0 in. |
| Overall length | 189.8 in. | 189.8 in. | 189.8 in. |
| Height | 49.8 in. | 49.8 | 49.8 |
| Width | 72.0 | 72.0 | 72.0 |
| Front tread | 60.7 | 60.7 | 60.7 |
| Rear tread | 61.6 | 61.6 | 61.6 |
| Tires | P195/75R14 GBR BSW | P205/70R14 SBR BSW | P205/70R14 SBR BSW |
| Steering | Recirculating ball | ||
| Front suspension | Modified MacPherson struts with coil springs between lower control arm and X-member | ||
| Rear suspension | Torque arm/track bar with coil springs | Torque arm/track bar with coil springs and anti-sway bar | |
| Brakes | Front disc, rear drums | ||
| Ignition | Electronic | ||
| Body construction | Unit | ||
| Fuel tank | 16 gal | ||
OPTIONS
| 151-cid four (Firebird SE) | $300 credit |
| 173-cid V-6 (Firebird) | $150 |
| 305-cid V-8 four-barrel (Firebird) | $350 – $375 |
| 305-cid V-8 four-barrel (SE) | $50 – $75 |
| H.O. 305-cid V-8 (Trans Am) | $858 |
| Five-speed manual transmission (Firebird) | $125 |
| Three-speed automatic transmission (Firebird) | $425 |
| Three-speed automatic transmission (SE) | $195 |
| Four-speed automatic transmission (Firebird) | $525 |
| Four-speed automatic transmission (SE / Trans Am) | $295 |
| Limited-slip differential (Firebird) | $95 |
| Power four-wheel disc brakes (Firebird) | $274 |
| Power four-wheel disc brakes with performance package | N/C |
| Rally handling package | $50 |
| California emissions | $75 |
| Trans Am Recaro option | $3160 – $3610 |
| Firebird SE and Trans Am special performance package | $408 |
| Firebird custom exterior | $51 – $112 |
| Air conditioning | $625 – $725 |
| Cruise control | $170 |
| Power seats | $210 – $420 |
| Power windows | $180 – $255 |
| Hatch roof | $825 – $861 |
| Louvered rear sunshields | $210 |
| Lear Siegler bucket seats | $400 – $1294 |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1983 Firebird Notes
- Introduced Nov. 18, 1982
- After the enthusiasm of the initial year of the third generation, sales dropped from 116,382 to 74,884
1983 Automotive Notes
- GM news:
- Ford news:
- Chrysler news:
- AMC news:
- Other makes news:
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1983
1. General Motors 3,511,491 2. Ford 1,243,887 3. Chrysler 737,835 4. AMC 168,726 5. Others 100
- Top model year production for 1983
Chevrolet 1,175,200 Oldsmobile 916,583 Buick 808,416 Skyhawk 63,152 Skylark 104,647 Century 127,926 Regal 228,239 LeSabre 136,052 Electra 98,166 Riviera 50,234 Ford 783,225 Mercury 359,594 Pontiac 318,478 Dodge 304,464 Cadillac 292,814 Cimarron 19,294 Seville 30,430 DeVille 130,723 Eldorado 67,416 Fleetwood Brougham 43,500 Fleetwood Limousine 1,451 Plymouth 273,489 AMC 168,726 Alliance 142,205 Spirit 3,491 Concord 5,300 Eagle 502,259 Eagle 3015,471 Chrysler 159,882 Lincoln 101,068 Avanti 100
1983 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery
Keyword: 1983 Pontiac Firebird