1979 Pontiac Firebird Specifications

These are standard specifications for the 1979 Pontiac Firebird, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Engine Location : Front
Drive Type : Rear Wheel
Production Years for Series : 1970 - 1981
Price : $4,830-$10,625
Weight : 3285 lbs | 1490.051 kg
Top Speed : 190 km/h | 118.085 mph
V 8 90-degree | 4-Barrel Rochster Quad-Jet Carburetor
Displacement : 6604 cc | 403.0 cu in. | 6.6 L.
Power : 185 BHP (136.16 KW) @ 3600 RPM
Torque :320 Ft-Lbs (434 NM) @ 2000 RPM
Bore : 4.4 in | 110 mm.
Stroke : 3.4 in | 86 mm.
Compression : 7.9:1
Main Bearings : 5
Valvetrain : 16 OHV (2 valves per cylinder)
Construction : Cast-Aluminum block and head
4-barrel Rochester
V 8 90-degree
Displacement : 4933 cc | 301.0 cu in. | 4.9 L.
Power : 140 HP (103.04 KW) @ 3600 RPM
Torque :235 Ft-Lbs (319 NM) @ 2000 RPM
Bore : 4.1 in | 103 mm.
Stroke : 3.0 in | 77 mm.
Compression : 8.1:1
Main Bearings : 5
Construction : Cast-iron block and head
Rochester 2-barrel carburetor
V 8 90-degree
Displacement : 6555 cc | 400.0 cu in. | 6.6 L.
Power : 220 HP (161.92 KW) @ 4000 RPM
Torque :320 Ft-Lbs (434 NM) @ 2800 RPM
Bore : 4.1 in | 105 mm.
Stroke : 3.8 in | 95 mm.
Compression : 8.1:1
Main Bearings : 5
Construction : Cast-iron block and head
Rochester 4GC 4-barrel carburetor
Transmission:
3 Manual , 3 Automatic Turbo HydraMatic , 4 Manual Close ratio

Total Pontiac Production for 1979 : 907,434
Total 1979 Firebird production : 211,454
1979 Pontiac Firebird
Esprit Hardtop Coupe 2 dr. 4 P : 30,853
Formula Hardtop Coupe 2 dr. 4 P : 24,851
Hardtop Coupe 2 dr. 4 P : 38,642
Trans Am HardTop Coupe 2 dr. 4 P : 117,108

Hardtop Coupe

Seating Capacity : 4
Doors : 2
Exterior
Length : 196.8 in | 4999 mm.
Width : 73.0 in | 1854 mm.
Height : 49.3 in | 1252 mm.
Wheelbase : 108.2 in | 2748 mm.
Front Track : 61.3 in | 1557 mm.
Rear Track : 60.0 in | 1524 mm.
Ground Clearance : 4.6 in | 117 mm.

Trans Am Limited Edition HardTop Coupe

Price : $10,625
Weight : 3550 lbs | 1610.253 kg
Seating Capacity : 4
Doors : 2
Exterior
Length : 196.8 in | 4999 mm.
Width : 73.0 in | 1854 mm.
Height : 49.3 in | 1252 mm.
Wheelbase : 108.2 in | 2748 mm.
Front Track : 61.3 in | 1557 mm.
Rear Track : 60.0 in | 1524 mm.
Ground Clearance : 4.6 in | 117 mm.

Trans Am HardTop Coupe

Trans Am HardTop Coupe
Chassis # 2W87K9L147130
Trans Am HardTop Coupe
Trans Am HardTop Coupe
Trans Am HardTop Coupe
Chassis # 2W87K9L198997
Auction entries : 1
Trans Am HardTop Coupe
Chassis # 2W87K9N164321
Auction entries : 1
Trans Am HardTop Coupe
Chassis # 2W87K9L135144
Auction entries : 1
Price : $6,300
Weight : 3550 lbs | 1610.253 kg
Seating Capacity : 4
Doors : 2
Exterior
Length : 196.8 in | 4999 mm.
Width : 73.0 in | 1854 mm.
Height : 49.3 in | 1252 mm.
Wheelbase : 108.2 in | 2748 mm.
Front Track : 61.3 in | 1557 mm.
Rear Track : 60.0 in | 1524 mm.
Ground Clearance : 4.6 in | 117 mm.

Esprit Hardtop Coupe

Price : $5,200
Seating Capacity : 4
Doors : 2
Exterior
Length : 196.8 in | 4999 mm.
Width : 73.0 in | 1854 mm.
Height : 49.3 in | 1252 mm.
Wheelbase : 108.2 in | 2748 mm.
Front Track : 61.3 in | 1557 mm.
Rear Track : 60.0 in | 1524 mm.
Ground Clearance : 4.6 in | 117 mm.

Formula Hardtop Coupe

Price : $6,015
Weight : 3460 lbs | 1569.43 kg
Seating Capacity : 4
Doors : 2
Exterior
Length : 196.8 in | 4999 mm.
Width : 73.0 in | 1854 mm.
Height : 49.3 in | 1252 mm.
Wheelbase : 108.2 in | 2748 mm.
Front Track : 61.3 in | 1557 mm.
Rear Track : 60.0 in | 1524 mm.
Ground Clearance : 4.6 in | 117 mm.

Suspension
Front : Independent with Coil Springs and Stabilizer Bar

Rear : Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and stablizer bar

Steering
Recirculating Ball

Brakes
Front Brake Size : 279.0 mm | 10.984 in.

Tires / Wheels
Tires : P225/70 R 15

Component

EQUIPMENT

Manufacturer

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NHTSA Campaign ID07E088000
SummaryCERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
ConsequenceTHIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
RemedyHONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
NotesCUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO SAFERCAR.GOV.

Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Manufacturer

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Mfr Report Date19781201
NHTSA Campaign ID79V142000
SummaryON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.
RemedyDEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS; SWITCH BUTTON RING, BRAKE LIGHTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WITH INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, A VEHICLE APPROACHINGFROM THE REAR WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, IF THECRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE THROUGH BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION,VEHICLE MAY ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. EITHER CONDITION COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: OWNER IS ADVISED NOT TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL IT HAS BEENINSPECTED BY DEALER.

Component

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

Manufacturer

GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Mfr Report Date19790801
NHTSA Campaign ID80V108000
SummaryON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHING ***** MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ***** TO BACK OFF, RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATION.
RemedyTHE DEALER WILL PERFORM A TORQUE CHECK OF THE ATTACHING NUT, AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN IT. IN SOME CASES AN INADEQUATE TORQUE LEVEL MAY HAVE CAUSED BALL STUD OR STEERING KNUCKLE DAMAGE; IF SO, THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING; LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENTNUT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF JOINT SEPARATION WERE TO OCCUR DRUING VEHICLEOPERATION, IT COULD AFFECT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLEACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated June 2024
1979 Averages
Avg. Household Income : $17,500
Avg. Home : $58,100
Avg. Gallon of Gas : $0.86

Popular frequently asked questions include:

What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird?
How many 1979 Pontiac Firebird were produced?
How powerful was the 1979 Pontiac Firebird? Was the 1979 Pontiac Firebird popular? Was the 1979 Pontiac Firebird expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird?

Q: How fast is the 1979 Pontiac Firebird? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird has a top speed of 190 km/h.

Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird has a wheelbase size of 108.20 inches.

Q: What is the length of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird has a length of 196.80 inches.

Q: What is the width of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird has a width of 73.00 inches.

Q: How much did the 1979 Pontiac Firebird cost when new?A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird cost approximately $4,830 to $10,625 (USD) when new.

Q: What were the bodystyles of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird was offered as a Esprit Hardtop Coupe, Formula Hardtop Coupe, Hardtop Coupe, Trans Am HardTop Coupe, Trans Am Limited Edition HardTop Coupe.

Q: What tires did the 1979 Pontiac Firebird have? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird had P225/70 R 15 tires.

Q: How many vehicles did Pontiac produce in 1979? A: Pontiac produced 907,434 automobiles in 1979.

Q: How many 1979 Firebirds were produced? A: Pontiac produced 211,454 examples of the Firebird in 1979.

Q: What engines did the 1979 Pontiac Firebird have? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird had the following engine options: V 8 (6604 cc | 403.0 cu in. | 6.6 L.) with 185 BHP (136.16 KW) @ 3600 RPM and 320 Ft-Lbs (434 NM) @ 2000 RPM
  • V 8 (4933 cc | 301.0 cu in. | 4.9 L.) with 140 HP (103.04 KW) @ 3600 RPM and 235 Ft-Lbs (319 NM) @ 2000 RPM
  • V 8 (6555 cc | 400.0 cu in. | 6.6 L.) with 220 HP (161.92 KW) @ 4000 RPM and 320 Ft-Lbs (434 NM) @ 2800 RPM
  • Q: What transmissions did the 1979 Pontiac Firebird have? A: The 1979 Pontiac Firebird had the following gearbox options: 3 speed Manual, 3 speed Automatic Turbo HydraMatic, 4 speed Manual Close ratio.

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