Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Pontiac Firebird has a 5013cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Firebird shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Firebird's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Firebird shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 5013cc 16V V8 engine produces 205 bhp (152 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 269 lb-ft (364.7 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Pontiac Firebird you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (163.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 138.5 bhp per ton and 181.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 Firebird competing with the 2006 Saab 9-3 2.8 V6 Aero (163.5 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Mazda RX8 1.3 (163.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Pontiac Firebird generating around 181.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 V8 (206.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes C Class 43 AMG Coupe (206.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.5 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am as fast as the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 (9.20 secs) the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs) the or the 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 289 4.7 V8 (9.20 secs). This Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (9.30 secs) the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (9.30 secs) the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (9.30 secs) the and the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.8 V6

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.8 secs @ 86.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 3.8 V6 (15.72 secs), the 2003 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 24v (15.72 secs), and the 2016 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio 2.0 Turbo 16v Q4 (15.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am has a maximum speed of 125mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Firebird equals the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am then how about the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (136 mph), the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (136 mph), or the 1992 Subaru Legacy 2.0 Turbo (136 mph).

Related Links:

1985 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison