1990s Classic Muscle Cars Pontiac Pontiac Firebird

1998 Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac Firebird (1998) – Ultimate Guide

Introduction

“The automotive family tree includes the branch that bore muscle cars — those revered, big-engined road rockets of yore,” said PMD’s 1998 sales catalog. “As often happens when a species evolves, the strong get stronger.”

The hot, rear-drive 2+2 Firebird offered just five model choices in 1998, after dropping the Formula convertible.
Previously base, Formula, and Trans Am convertibles were offered, but ragtop production failed to top 8,000 units in 1996-1997.
Production numbers for 1998 were close to 2,100 ragtops.
Coupes were again featured in base, Formula, and Trans Am trim levels.
Formulas and Trans Ams got a new, all-aluminum 5.7-liter 305-hp V-8 with a six-speed manual transmission.
A Ram Air package provided 320 hp.
Styling was freshened with a front fascia that incorporated a new headlamp design.
There were updated taillights, too.
Suspension tuning was revised and base models received a one-piece driveshaft.
Firebird V-8s with four-speed automatic transmissions had a larger torque converter.
All Firebirds got standard four-wheel disc brakes.
A midyear Formula option was an AutoCross package with a beefed-up suspension.
A $1,125-delete option that turned the Formula into a stripped-down street performance car was also new.

Firebird coupe

Standard equipment on the base Firebird coupe included

extensive acoustical insulation
dual front airbags
air conditioning
a black fixed mast antenna at right rear
a brake/transmission shift interlock safety feature with automatic transmission
power four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS
the RPO L36 3800 Series II 200-hp SFI V-6 engine
cruise control
electric rear and side window defoggers
Solar-Ray tinted glass
instrumentation
- electric analog speedometer
- a tachometer
- odometer
- coolant temperature indicator
- oil pressure gauge
- voltmeter
- LED trip odometer
sport exterior mirrors (left-hand remote controlled)
a day/night inside rearview mirror with reading lamps
left-hand and right-hand covered visor vanity mirrors
a Delco AM/FM stereo ETR radio and cassette
- seven-band graphic equalizer
- touch control
- search-and-replay
- Delco theft lock
- clock
- seek up/down
- remote CD prewiring
- four-speaker coaxial sound system
reclining front bucket seats
four-way driver and passenger front seat manual adjusters
a rear two-passenger folding seat
a four-spoke sport tilt steering wheel with adjustable column
the PASS-Key II theft-deterrent system
P215/60R16 touring tires with a high-pressure compact spare
the RPO MM5 five-speed manual transmission
controlled-cycle windshield wipers
bright silver 16-in. five-spoke cast aluminum wheels

Formula coupe

Formula models also included (in addition or in place of the above)

a power antenna
power door locks
power automatic sport mirrors with blue glass
a Delco 500-watt peak power Monsoon® AM/FM stereo with
- CD
- seven-band graphic equalizer
- clock
- Touch Control
- seek up/down
- search-and-replay
- Delco anti-theft lock
- high-performance 10-speaker sound system in coupe or six-speaker sound system in convertible
- HSS speakers and tweeters in doors
- 6.5-in. subwoofers in sail panels
- subwoofer amp and four speakers
- tweeters in rear quarter panels
a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls (including leather-wrapped steering wheel; shift knob and parking brake handle)
P245/5OZR16 speed-rated all-weather tires
power window controls with driver’s “express down” feature (power mirrors and door locks required)