The 1982 Trans Am

The new 3rd generation Firebird downsized from the heftier muscle cars. It shrunk an inch and lost 500 pounds. The body styling was completely new and emphasized aerodynamics. It had a new 62 degree angle front windshield, split grilles which sat inside air slots in the ultra-low nose, which had now electrically opened quartz-halogen headlamps or "flip-top lights". The Trans Am hoods now featured an off-center power blister with their fresh-air induction system for the CFI.

The 82 Trans Am had two different engine options available. One, was an 145 horsepower 4 BBl carbureted version, while the other, was an 165 horsepower Cross-Fire Fuel Injection model. The interior was re-designed with a full-length console. About 2000 Trans Ams had a Recaro interior option with Parella cloth front bucket seats, t-tops, and performance package. All were a black paint job with a gold accent on bottom.

1982 Engines

Type	Displacement	Horsepower	Torque	Induction
OHV I-4	151ci/2.5L	90@4000	134@2400	TBI
OHV V-6	173ci/2.8L	105@4800	145@2400	2bbl
OHV V-8	305ci/5.0L	145@4000	240@2000	4 bbl
OHV V-8	305ci/5.0L	165@4200	240@2400	CFI

Body and Chassis

Body: steel; unit body/frame

Layout: front-engine, rear wheel drive, 3-door hatchback sport-coupe

Front suspension: modified MacPherson struts with lower control arms, coil springs and stabilizer bar

Rear suspension: live axle on coil springs with torque arm and stabilizer bar

Fuel tank: 15.5-16.2 gallons

Drivetrain

Transmissions: 4-speed manual (82-84), 5-speed manual (83-92), 3-speed automatic (82-83), 4-speed overdrive automatic (84-92)

Steering: recirculating ball (power assisted)

Brakes: front discs/rear drums; all-disc brakes optional (standard on high-performance models)

Dimensions

Wheelbase (inches): 101.0

Overall length: (82-83) 189.8; (84-85) 189.9; (86) 189.1; (87-88) 188.0; (89) 190.3; (90) 188.1; (91-92) 195.1;

Overall width: (82) 72.0; (83) 72.6; (84-88) 72.0; (89-92) 72.4;

Overall height: (82) 49.8; (83) 50.7; (84-88) 49.7; (89) 49.8; (90) 50.0; (91-92 coupe) 49.7; (91-92 conv.) 49.8;

Weight:(82) 2858; (83-85) 2973; (86) 2885; (87-88) 3105; (89) 3083; (90) 3210; (91-92 coupe) 3121; (91-92 conv.) 3280;

Firebird Production

Year	Base	S/E	Trans Am	Total
1982	41,683	21,719	52,960	116,362
1983	32,020	10,934	31,930	74,884
1984	62,621	10,309	55,374	128,304
1985	46,644	5,208	44,028	95,880
1986	59,334	2,259	48,870	110,463
1987	42,558	13,164	32,890	88,612

Performance

Top speed: (82 T/A) 106; (84 T/A) 108-124; (89 TTA'Turbo Trans Am') 150-162;

0-60 Acceleration: (82 T/A CFI) 8.9; (83 T/A) 8.5; (84 Aniv. T/A) 7.8; (85 HO T/A) 7.6; (85 TPI) 7.8; (87 GTA) 6.9; (88 Formula) 7.5; (88 GTA) 7.4 {Pontiac claimed 6.5} (89 TTA) 5.1;

¼ mile accleration: (82 T/A) 16.7 @ 80.5 mph; (83 T/A) 16.4 @ 83.6 mph; (83 T/A CFI) 17 @ 80.6 mph; (84 T/A) 15.4 @ 91.5 mph; (85 TPI) 15.4 @ 88 mph; (88 GTA) 15.4 @ 91 mph; (88 Formula) 15.9 @ 89 mph;

Email me at transam@planetjupiter.com with suggestions