1980 Pontiac Trans am problems
The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM's Chevrolet division's platform-sharing Camaro. This also coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, Ford's upscale, platform-sharing version of the Mustang. The name "Firebird" was also previously used by GM for the General Motors Firebird series of concept cars in the 1950s.
First generation (1967–1969)
The first generation Firebird had characteristic Coke bottle styling shared with its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. Announcing a Pontiac styling trend, the Firebird's bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end, giving it a more streamlined look than the Camaro. The Firebird's rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the 1966–1967 Pontiac GTO and Pontiac Grand Prix. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered through the 1969 model year. Originally, the car was a "consolation prize" for Pontiac, which had desired to produce a two-seat sports car based on its original Banshee concept car. However, GM feared this would cut into Chevrolet Corvette sales, and gave Pontiac a piece of the "pony car" market by sharing the F-body platform with Chevrolet. The listed retail price before options for the coupe was $2,666 ($24,361 in 2023 dollars) and the convertible was $2,903 ($28,519 in 2023 dollars).
The 1967 base model Firebird came equipped with the Pontiac 230 cu in (3.8 L) SOHC inline-six. Based on the architecture of the standard Chevrolet 230 cu in (3.8 L) inline-six, it was fitted with a one-barrel Rochester carburetor and rated at 165 hp (123 kW). The "Sprint" model six came with a four-barrel carburetor, developing 215 hp (160 kW). Most buyers opted for one of three V8s: the 326 cu in (5.3 L) with a two-barrel carburetor producing 250 hp (186 kW); the four-barrel "HO" (high output) 326, producing 285 hp (213 kW); or the 325 hp (242 kW) 400 cu in (6.6 L) from the GTO. All 1967–1968 400 CI engines had throttle restrictors that blocked the carburetors' secondaries from fully opening. A "Ram Air" option was also available, providing functional hood scoops, higher flow heads with stronger valve springs, and a hotter camshaft. Power for the Ram Air package was the same as the conventional 400 HO, but peaked at 5,200 rpm.
The 230 cu in (3.8 L) engines were subsequently enlarged for 1968 to 250 cubic inches (4.1 liters), the base version developing an increased 175 hp (130 kW) using a one-barrel carburetor, and the high-output Sprint version the same 215 hp with a four-barrel carburetor. Also for the 1968 model, the 326 cu in (5.3 L) engine was replaced by the Pontiac 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, which actually displaced 354 cu in (5.8 L), and produced 265 hp (198 kW) with a two-barrel carburetor. An HO version of the 350 cu in (5.7 L) with a revised cam was also offered to start in that year, which developed 320 hp (239 kW). The power output of the other engines was increased marginally.
There was an additional Ram Air IV option for the 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 engines during 1969, complementing the Ram Air 400(now often colloquially but incorrectly called the "Ram Air III," a name never used by Pontiac). The Ram Air IV was rated at 345 hp (350 PS; 257 kW) at 5000 rpm and 430 lb⋅ft (583 N⋅m) of torque at 3400 rpm; and 335 hp (340 PS; 250 kW) respectively. The 350 cu in (5.7 L) HO engine was revised again with a different cam and cylinder heads resulting in 325 hp (242 kW). During 1969 a special 303 cu in (5.0 L) engine was designed for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) road racing applications that were not available in production cars.
Modifications for 1968 included the addition of federally-mandated side marker lights: for the front of the car, the turn signals were made larger and extended to wrap around the front edges of the car, and on the rear, the Pontiac (V-shaped) Arrowhead logo was added to each side. The front door vent-windows was replaced with a single pane of glass and Astro Ventilation, a fresh-air-inlet system. The 1969 model received a major facelift with a new front-end design but unlike the GTO, it did not have the Endura bumper. The instrument panel and steering wheel were revised. The ignition switch was moved from the dashboard to the steering column with the introduction of GM's new locking ignition switch/steering wheel.
In March 1969, a US$1,083 ($8,998 in 2023 ) optional handling package called the "Trans Am performance and appearance package", UPC "WS4", named after the Trans Am Series, was introduced. A total of 689 hardtops and eight convertibles were made.
Due to engineering problems that delayed the introduction of the new 1970 Firebird beyond the usual fall debut, Pontiac continued production of 1969 model Firebirds into the early months of the 1970 model year (the other 1970 Pontiac models had been introduced on September 18, 1969). By late spring of 1969, Pontiac had deleted all model-year references on Firebird literature and promotional materials, anticipating the extended production run of the then-current 1969 models.
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Common 1980 Pontiac Trans am problems
The Pontiac Firebird, including the Trans Am model, is a high-performance car that was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, like any car, it is prone to certain common issues that owners should be aware of.
One of the most common problems with the Trans Am is the failure of the ignition control module. This can cause the engine to stall or prevent it from starting altogether. It's important to have the ignition system checked and replaced if necessary to prevent this issue from occurring.
Another issue that can arise with the Trans Am is problems with the cooling system. This can include issues with the radiator, water pump, and cooling fans. These problems can cause the engine to overheat, which can result in engine damage if not addressed promptly.
The Trans Am is also known for having issues with the suspension system. This can include problems with the shocks, struts, and sway bars. These issues can cause the car to handle poorly, particularly in high-speed or cornering situations.
The Trans Am is also prone to issues with the braking system. Common problems include brake caliper failures, warped rotors, and brake fluid leaks. These issues can reduce the effectiveness of the braking system, which can be dangerous.
Finally, the Trans Am is known to have issues with the transmission. Common problems include slipping gears, delayed shifts, and complete transmission failure. Regular maintenance and inspections of the transmission can help to address these issues before they become more extensive and costly to repair.
These are just a few of the common issues that can arise with the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. It's important for owners to stay up-to-date on regular maintenance and inspections to prevent these issues from occurring or to catch them early before they become more serious. If you are experiencing any of these issues with your Trans Am, it's important to take it to a qualified mechanic or transmission shop for a professional diagnosis and repair.
What engines came in a 1980 Trans Am?
There were three different iterations of the 301 in 1980, the L37 301, the W72 301 E/C "T/A 4.9", and the LU8 301 Turbo. The W72 E/C 301 was standard for the Trans Am and optional for the Formula, however, the W72 E/C could be deleted and instead, come equipped with the standard L37 301.
What is the best year of Trans Am?
- 7 1993 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
- 6 1997 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
- 5 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
- 4 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8/10. ...
- 3 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10. ...
- 2 2000 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10. ...
- 1 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10.
How fast can a 1980 Trans Am go?
Performance
| 0 - 100 kph | 9.0 s |
|---|---|
| 0 - 60 mph | 8.7 s |
| Top speed | 224 kph (139 mph) |
What is the rarest Trans Am?
1969 Trans Am
The '69 Trans Am is among the rarest of the rare 'Birds with fewer than 700 built—only eight were convertibles and all were Cameo White with Tyrol Blue stripes.
What is the best year of Trans Am?
- 7 1993 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
- 6 1997 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
- 5 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
- 4 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8/10. ...
- 3 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10. ...
- 2 2000 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10. ...
- 1 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10.
What engines came in a 1980 Trans Am?
There were three different iterations of the 301 in 1980, the L37 301, the W72 301 E/C "T/A 4.9", and the LU8 301 Turbo. The W72 E/C 301 was standard for the Trans Am and optional for the Formula, however, the W72 E/C could be deleted and instead, come equipped with the standard L37 301.
How fast can a 1980 Trans Am go?
Performance
| 0 - 100 kph | 9.0 s |
|---|---|
| 0 - 60 mph | 8.7 s |
| Top speed | 224 kph (139 mph) |
What is the gas mileage on a 1980 Pontiac Trans Am?
Based on data from 2 vehicles, 26 fuel-ups and 4,864 miles of driving, the 1980 Pontiac Firebird gets a combined Avg MPG of 13.92 with a 1.45 MPG margin of error.
1980 Pontiac Trans am car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Trans am problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1980 Pontiac Trans am vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1980 Pontiac Trans am complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1980 Pontiac Trans am.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-01-01
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. YH
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1980 Pontiac Trans am problems:
Door sag | Firebird Nation
Mar 18, 2006 ... its a pretty common problem in our cars I just changed the bushing and hing pins and it fixed all my sag problems I think the kit is like 20 ...
Considering purchasing a Firebird? Heres some advice. : r/Pontiac
Sep 8, 2014 ... This is aimed at only the 3rd and 4th Generations as these two generations are the most common. Firstly, remember that these are 2 door cars ...
What to look for when buying a 2nd gen trans am | Firebird Nation
Jul 1, 2013 ... Clearly, that car has NOT been cared for and the mechanical issues are going to be numerous as well! ... Trans Am's in 10-times better condition ...
Pontiac Firebird Problems and Complaints - 33 Issues
Top Pontiac Firebird Problems · Car Won't Start Because of Anti-Theft System That Uses Raised-Chip Key · Power Window Motors May Fail From Overheating · Head light ...
Power Windows
Jul 22, 2009 ... Yeah so basically windows are a pain in the butt either way.... Logged. 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula ...
Other years of Pontiac Trans am
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