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

  • R = 151-cid 4, 90-hp
  • 2 = 151-cid 4, 90-hp
  • X = 173-cid V6, 107-hp
  • 1 = 173-cid V6, 107-hp
  • Z = 173-cid V6, 125-hp
  • H = 305-cid V8, 150-hp
  • 7 = 305-cid V8, 175-hp
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