BrandonDrecksage

iTrader: (1)

I know they made a turbo trans am between 1979-1981. I'm almost certain it was a 81 model. does anybody know how many were made? I was at my local import performance shop(only shop local that does good work) They had two of them, one in the back that was beat up that looked liek it was going to get restored. Then there was a restored one in teh garage getting a custom turbo back exhaust done. I was jsut curious how many were made, i've only seen pictures, till i saw two at one place.

Wnts2Go10O

iTrader: (12)

lol those things are hunks of crap to say the least. its a 301 or 4.x v8 with a tiiinnny turbo in it. i don think they make more than 200hp.

rocketman442

iTrader: (8)

Very slow, had alot of detonation problems with qjet and turbo

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

And the 301 is a piece of crap both performance-wise and durability-wise, dont get one, you wont be able to find parts,

Oh yea I think its 80 and 81 they had the 301 turbo.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Yea they HAD to toss the turbo on to get the thing to drive out to the test shop! (Joking of corse, but it very well could be true lol)

Dan

iTrader: (1)

Don't dog the Turbo at least when I sell it I get to add 15% to the price for it being original..
http://www.transamworld.com/fbird-history-php2.php

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

Turbos were only on 80-81s. They were absolute dogs, couldn't spin the tires unless you were on very wet pavement. They were, however, very good looking cars. The turbo hood and wheels are beautiful, second only to the shaker scoop and WS6 wheels. And maybe some nice Rally IIs. Not a hell of a lot were made, so parts aren't so easy to find. But they are out there, and nice to get if it's in good shape. Something different that you don't see every day.

BrandonDrecksage

iTrader: (1)

I wasn't considering buying one. I've always appreciated them. I jsut thought it was funny that the local IMPORT performance shop has 2. I'm going there to get some exhaust work done tomorrow there and I want to see what the one in the shop had done to it because I'm pretty sure it wasn't stock.

EPP

iTrader: (22)

The 301 was the only small block V8 that Pontiac produced, and they didn't keep it around very long. Bob

7901 WS6

iTrader: (6)

I owned one once, for a short time I got it for cheap off a friend as he moved away. It was a 80 Pace car, the 301 was pulled for a 400. I had the 301 still hoping to install back in the car and turn around and see for quick buck, but I soon relized the time money needed to do it right. So I sold it on ebay for some good cash. I cant tell you the numbers of all that were produced. As I did some research though.
Both in 80 and 81 There were Turbo 4.9 301 t/a's/ Formulas and non turbo (turbo got the hood buldge with the boost gauge behind the scoop that was a series of 3 amber lights)
There were also WS6 Turbo cars(15X8 wheels) and non WS6 Turbo cars(15X7)
They were a awesome Idea at the time, but the technology was not there, a Carbed turbo with all the emissions junk just didnt make the power they thought it could, but it was the first ever production turbo V8 ever made.

Travisimo

iTrader: (1)

How many pounds of boost were those turbos pushing? My uncle had a brand new one in 1980 and I always thought that the lights in the scoop were awesome. I think it would be cool to get an 80-81 T/A put an LSX in it, turbo it with a wicked set-up and some how rig the lights under the scoop to show boost just as if it were stock. Make it the ulitimate Turbo Trans Am sleeper!

Dan

iTrader: (1)

My owners manual tells me 1 light lit up on hood is No Boost(Normal), Medium light on is 2lbs, High light on is 6lbs..Yeah, the car is a dog but I use mine for just cruising on a weekend or car shows.

BrandonDrecksage

iTrader: (1)

I just wish the cars did better...imagine now a days and factory turbo lsx car.

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

From the "Firebird Red Book" 2nd Edition by Peter C. Sessler

1980 Trans Am w/4.9 L Turbo 8 cyl: 16,476
1980 Trans Am Turbo Indy Pace Car 8 cyl: 5,700
1980 Formula w/4.9 L Turbo 8 cyl: n/a (9,356 did come with 8 cyl. engines)
(The 4.9 L Turbo cars were not available for California-bound 'birds)
The turbo cast-aluminum wheels were optional on the Formula and Trans Am only in conjuction with the WS6 Special Appearance Package and the 4.9 L Turbo engine. California cars could only get the wheels with the WS6 package, as the 4.9 L Turbo was not certified for sale in California.

It also says that all 1980 Firebirds came with automatic transmissions.

The verbiage says the Formula could be purchased with the 4.9 L Turbo engine, but the book does not breakdown production numbers for it.
-----------------------------------------------
1981 Trans Am w/4.9 L Turbo 8 cyl: 13,578 (all automatics)
1981 Trans Am Nascar Turbo Pace Car 8 cyl: 2,000 (all automatics)
Required with the 4.9 L Turbo were air conditioning, automatic transmission and four-wheel disc brakes.
Manual transmissions were offered on Trans Ams with the 5.0 L 8 cyl.

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

You really like the way they look? IMO I like the 77-78 look way better, maybe its just because I would spend most of my childhood days pretending to be Bandit, but honestly I really dislike the newer version front bumper and the newer taillights, and give me a shaker hood anyday over the turbo bump.

7901 WS6

iTrader: (6)

I forget what do the amber lights go off of to light up? Was is a Module off the distributor? This was mine

Dan

iTrader: (1)

Got me there, I am not sure..Thought I remember some vacuum hoses hooked up to it, Kinda wonder how accurate it really is..In my estimation 200hp back in 1981 really was not that bad, How many other cars built in 81 had that much HP? If you equate that to today It might be about 400hp

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

I prefer the 78 also, that's why I bought one. I was just saying that they are still good looking cars. I much prefer the 78 front end, but with the right color, the different bird, and the offset bulge makes a striking appearance. I'd take a white/grey pacecar edition 79-81 over a plain jain brown 78 TA any day. A gold or black edition, on the other hand, would be a hard choice.

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

oh yea Echo, I just noticed your Gold TA, nice, my dad useto have a 78 Bandit TA, it was black with the full gold striping and screaming chicken, it was black inside also, and had the 400 and a 4speed manual. Was a nice car, but he couldnt afford the car and me, was a baby at teh time, sucks, sometimes I think back and maybe that could have been my first car. ah the memories lol

7901 WS6

iTrader: (6)

I remember there was the harness that came off the hood and went somewhere. Oh well, 200HP was not bad, but then My 79 was rated at 220hp and thats a 400 4 spd with 6x heads and the 4brl carb I think stock they ran 14.5 in the 1/4 at like 89mph It was fast at the time for sure