Of course, any ardent hot rodder can promptly recite a list of things Pontiac could do to make the Trans Am better and while most of these ideas are desirable qualities in a performance car, many of them fly in the face of strict emissions or fuel economy regulations that are not likely to get any softer. The lack of a five-speed transmission behind the 5.7-liter, 350 cubic-inch V-8 is one of the most common complaints, and we’re here to tell you that it’s virtually a dead issue. There are no plans to add the five-speed in the future and we seriously doubt that there will ever be a five-speed, 5.7L Firebird of any sort from the factory.
For ’91, the Firebird is essentially a carry-over car, but a stylistic facelift has been performed to give the vehicle a different, exciting look for the ‘90s while maintaining its aggressive nature. In the case of the Trans Am and the GTA, Pontiac was understandably cautious with styling revisions. This already glamorous form enjoys broad popularity; poorly executed styling revisions could harm rather than improve its sales record. Designers also met the challenge of maintaining the car’s sleek coefficient of drag numbers by altering the overall profile just enough to make it seem fresh. The most critical task was to preserve the unique Pontiac identity, which the division has so carefully nurtured and protected over the years.
An all new aero package is the primary change on the Trans Am and the GTA. It consists of a lower, sleeker-looking nose that takes some getting used to but is quite attractive nonetheless. New lower rocker panels and side fascias with a novel winged aero look communicate a distinctive impression of speed that seems equally at home with the new GTA rear wing or the carryover spoiler on the Formula Firebird. The Trans Am and the GTA both received a fresh taillamp treatment to complement the new rear wing, and smaller retractable halogen mini-headlamps have also been added.
The 5.7L Tuned Port V-8 is still the top-of-the-line engine, and it remains unchanged for ’91. It’s the standard engine in the GTA, while the 5.0L Tuned Port V-8 is optional, making it possible to have a 5-speed manual-equipped GTA if you opt for the smaller powerplant. The 5.7L TPI V-8 is optional in the Formula and the Trans Am, and the 5.0L TPI V-8 is the standard engine for the Trans am and optional for the Formula. Among the Formula, Trans Am, and the GTA, you can assemble just about any combination you wish, except for the 5-speed manual-transmission 5.7L GTA mentioned previously. The highest performance version of both V-8 engines comes standard with dual-catalytic-converter exhaust systems for improved engine efficiency.
Looking to the chassis, you’ll find the high-performance WS6 suspension package standard on the GTA and the Formula, and optional on the Trans Am. The standard suspension on the Trans Am is the F41 package. Any of these cars can be fitted with the optional 1LE 4-wheel-disc-brake package that gives you larger, more effective brakes designed for road racing. The downside is that you can only get the package if you delete the air conditioning – a feature few may be willing to forego. Even though you might think you can live without A/C, it can be a big letdown after you buy the car and spend some time in the sweatbox. The 1LE package was designed for Showroom Stock racing and is considered unnecessary on a street vehicle – hence the difficulty and penalty applied in obtaining the option. Regular four-wheel disc brakes are, of course, standard on the GTA and other 5.7L-equipped models and optional for the 5.0L Trans Am and Formula. The Trans Am and GTA are equipped with a limited-slip differential that is also available as an option on the Formula. The GTA and the Formula, on the other hand, come equipped with aggressive P245/50ZR16 unidirectional Goodyear Eagles on 16x8-inch cast aluminum wheels, while the Trans Am is offered with P215/65R15 Firestone Firehawk GTX tires on 15-inch wheels. The Trans Am id also offered with an optional WS6 suspension and special P245/50ZR touring tires on silver-metallic or black cross-lace wheels. Now, did everybody follow that? If not, make certain you have your dealer show you every possible combination when you order your car. With all the options available, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get exactly what you want.
All of the Firebirds come with upscale interiors, but the GTA has many standard features that are optional on other models. Some of these features include fully articulating leather bucket seats, a rear cargo screen, and a rear window defogger.
From a performance standpoint, any 5.7L Firebird is capable of dipping into the 14-second bracket, but the heavier GTA isn’t quite as quick as a compatively equipped Formula. The smaller 5.0L engine isn’t generally capable of delivering a 14-second performance, but low 15s are the norm. The tradeoff in fuel economy only matters if you’re counting averages to satisfy a government’s requirement. In the real world, most performance enthusiasts will trade a few mpg for the thrill of the 5.7L engine, unless they absolutely have to have a 5-speed manual transmission. And while we already said that 5-speed 5.7L cars won’t become available, Street Legal Performance in Toms River, New Jersey will be specially building the Formula Firehawk equipped with the 6-speed ZF transmission from the Corvette. We’ll be testing one of these cars and bringing you performance results and ordering information in an upcoming issue.
Pontiac’s performance Firebirds remain a stable and popular element of the performance-car market, and they deliver as promised even though the overall package is thoroughly dated. Like all F-bodies, they eventually suffer from the quality of their ride, and the harsh noise and vibrations contribute to the vehicle’s deterioration over time. We wouldn’t call them rattletraps, but there’s no mistaking the sound and the feel of a ride in a 2-3 year old F-body with a performance suspension. Given proper care and avoidance of rough roads, the Pontiac Firebird will still deliver the thrill of performance that we’re all looking for, and with the new styling upgrades, it still looks great doing it.
RETAIL
Base Price:.......... $23,475
Price as Tested:.......... $24,018
ENGINE
Type:.......... OHV, 90-degree V-8
Bore and Stroke:.......... 4.00 x 3.48 inches
Displacement:.......... 350 cu in., 5.7L
Compression ratio:.......... 9.3:1
Horsepower (SAE net):.......... 235 hp @ 4400 rpm
Torque (SAE net):.......... 340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
Induction system:.......... Tuned Port Injection
Valve gear:.......... Hydraulic roller tappets
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission:.......... 4-sp. automatic overdrive
Axle ratio:.......... 3.23:1
CHASSIS
Front Suspension :.......... independent, modified gas-charged MacPherson struts with coil springs and 36mm stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension:.......... Salisbury live axle with torque arm, dual trailing links, Panhard bar, coil springs, and 24mm stabilizer bar
Steering:.......... Power-assisted coaxial, semireversible recirculating ball with 12.7:1 overall ratio
Brakes:.......... Power-assisted four-wheel discs, Front: 10.5 x 1.03-inch vented discs, Rear: 11.65 x 0.79-inch vented discs
Wheels:.......... 16 x 8.0 in. cast-aluminum
Tires:.......... P245/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagles
GENERAL
Curb weight:.......... 3510 pounds
Wheelbase:.......... 101 inches
Fuel capacity:.......... 15.5 gallons
PERFORMANCE
Power to Weight:.......... 14.93 lbs/hp
0-60 mph:.......... 6.2 sec.
Quarter mile:.......... 14.92 @ 91.4 mph
Top Speed:.......... 145 mph (est.)
Skidpad:.......... 0.86g
