1979-1981 turbo trans am?
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1979-1981 turbo trans am?
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.
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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
http://www.transamworld.com/fbird-history-php2.php
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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.
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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.
#10
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.
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.
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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!
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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.
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.
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Originally Posted by EchoMirage
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.
#16
Originally Posted by Dan
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.
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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
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Originally Posted by Captainofiron
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.
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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
#20
Originally Posted by Dan
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