Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Site

Here is a quick glance at certain specifications relating to the Pontiac Firebird, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am for 1978. Items such as wheelbase, width, height, weight, capacities, engine and drivetrain combinations, and more. This will be a quick glance at all of the 1978 Factory Specifications for your vehicle.

	Firebird 2FS87	Firebird Esprit 2FT87	Firebird Formula 2FU87	Firebird Trans Am 2FW87
Width
Tread Front	61.3		61.6
Tread Rear	60.0		60.3
Vehicle Width	73.4
Vehicle Width w/Front door open	140.5
Length
Wheelbase	108.2
Vehicle Length	196.8
Overhang Front	42.8
Overhang Rear	45.9
Upper Structure Length	94.2
Rear Wheel C/L "X" Coordinate	86.7
Cowl Point "X" coordinate	9.4
Height
Vehicle Height	49.3	49.3	49.5	49.5
Cowl point to ground	35.7		35.9
Deck point to ground	35.6		35.8
Headlamp to ground	26.1 (measured from height above ground to center of bulb)
Taillamp to ground	25.4 (measured from height above ground to center of bulb)
Sidemarker to ground	23.0 fr. 22.2 rr. (measured from height above ground to center of bulb)
Windshield Slope Angle	57.4 deg.
Ground Clearance
Front bumper to ground	11.7		11.6
Rear bumper to ground	10.2		10.5
Angle of Approach	18.4 deg.		18.5 deg.
Angle of Departure	10.4 deg.		10.7 deg.
Rear axle Differential to ground	6.8
Min. Running ground clearance	5.2		5.3
Location of Min. ground clearance	Catalytic Converter
Vehicle Weight	3364	3395	3652	3621

Power Combinations

( F= Federal A = Altitude C = California )

(Federal/High Altitude Engine/Axle Combinations available all states except California.)

(High Altitude Engine/Axle Combinations not recommended for Low Altitude.)

Series Availability	Code cu. in.	Carb.	Comp. Ratio (x to 1)	BHP @ RPM	Torque @ RPM	Exhaust S=Single D=Dual	Transmission	Axle Ratio
Standard:
Standard:
Firebird and Esprit	LD5 231	2	8	105 @3400	185 @2000	S	3-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.08 F 2.56, 3.23 F 2.56 C
Optional:
Firebird and Esprit	LG3 305	2	8.4	145 @3800	245 @2400	S	4-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.08 F 2.41 F
California	LG3 305	2	8.4	135 @3800	240 @2000	S	Automatic	2.41 C
California	LM1 350	4	8.2	170 @3800	270 @2400		4-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.08 F 2.41, 3.08 F
California & Altitude	LM1 350	4	8.2	160 @3800	260 @2400	S	Automatic	3.08 A 2.41, 3.08 C

Series Availability	Code cu. in.	Carb.	Comp. Ratio (x to 1)	BHP @ RPM	Torque @ RPM	Exhaust S=Single D=Dual	Transmission	Axle Ratio
Standard:
Formula	LG3 305	2	8.4	145 @3800	245 @2400	S	4-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.08 F 2.41 F, C
Optional:
Formula	LM1 350	4	8.2	170 @3800	270 @2400	S	4-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.08 F 2.41, 3.08 F
California & Altitude	LM1 350	4	8.2	160 @3800	260 @2400	S	Automatic	3.08 A 2.41, 3.08 C
Formula	W72 400	4	8.1	220 @4000	320 @2800	D	4-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.42 F 3.23 F
	L78 400	4	7.7	180 @3600	325 @1600	S	Automatic	2.56 F
	L80 403	4	7.9	185 @3600	320 @2000	S	Automatic	2.56, 3.08 A 2.56, 3.23 C

Series Availability	Code cu. in.	Carb.	Comp. Ratio (x to 1)	BHP @ RPM	Torque @ RPM	Exhaust S=Single D=Dual	Transmission	Axle Ratio
Standard:
Trans Am	L78 400	4	7.7	180 @3600	325 @1600	S	Automatic	2.56 F
Trans Am	W72 400	4	8.1	220 @4000	320 @2800	D	4-Speed Manual, Automatic	3.42 F 3.23 F
Optional:
Trans Am	L80 403	4	7.9	185 @3600	320 @2000	S	Automatic	2.56, 3.08 A 2.56, 3.23 C

Engine General:

	LD5/231	LG3/305	LM1/350	L78/400	W72/400	L80/403
Type	V6 90° OHV	V8 90° OHV
Engine Weight (lbs.)	204.0 MT 191.7 AT	246.9 MT 235.8 AT	271.7 MT 260.0 AT	298.2 MT 286.9 AT		296.0 AT
Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2		1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Recommended Fuel	Unleaded 91 Octane (or higher)
Normal Oil Pressure (lb@rpm)	37 @ 2400	32-40 @ 2000		35-40@2600	55-60@2600	30-45@1500
Capacity of Crankcase	4			5		4
Fuel Tank	21 US gal.
Idle Speed AT MT *( - with AC on)**	800 rpm 600 rpm	700 rpm 500 rpm*	600 rpm 500 rpm*	N/A 500 rpm*	775 rpm 600 rpm*	N/A 550 rpm*
Carburetor Make Model No. used	Rochester
	2GE	2GC	M4MC
	2 bbl.		4 bbl.
Cooling System Capacity	15.8 gal.	17.5 gal.		18.4 gal.		20.4 gal.
Radiator Cap Valve Pressure	14 - 17 PSI
Circulation Thermostat opens @	195 Degrees
Timing Manual	15° @ 800 RPM	4° @ 600 RPM	6° @ 700 RPM	N/A	18° @ 775 RPM	N/A
Timing Automatic	15° @ 600 RPM	4° @ 500 RPM	8° @ 500 RPM	16° @ 675 RPM	18° @ 775 RPM	20° @ 1100 RPM
Spark Plugs Gap	R46TSX			R45TSX	R45TSX	R46SZ
Spark Plugs Gap	.060 in.			.060 in.	.060 in.	.080 in.

Tires and Wheels:

	Firebird	Esprit	Formula	Trans Am	Special Performance Trans Am (WS6)
Size, Load Range, Ply	FR 78 x 15B		GR 70 x 15B		P225/70R15
Type	Steel Belted Radials
Recom. Inflation Fr. Rear	28 psi. 30 psi.				30 psi. 30 psi.
Rims	15x6JJ		15x7JJ		15x8JJ