Pontiac Firebird Engines by Year

Pontiac built the Firebird from 1967 to 2002 alongside the Camaro. Until 1976 it used Pontiac's own engines. From 1977 many came from Chevrolet, Buick and Oldsmobile, and the notes say which division built each one.

Pick a year to see every engine offered that model year, with its code, rated horsepower and the trims it came in. Each engine links to its full specs.

Jump to a year

First generation: 1967 · 1968 · 1969

Second generation: 1970 · 1971 · 1972 · 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1976 · 1977 · 1978 · 1979 · 1980 · 1981

Third generation: 1982 · 1983 · 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 · 1988 · 1989 · 1990 · 1991 · 1992

Fourth generation: 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999 · 2000 · 2001 · 2002

First generation (1967–1969)

Pontiac's version of the Camaro started with an overhead-cam inline six that no other American maker offered. The V8s ran from the 326 (350 from 1968) up to the 400, which went through three Ram Air versions by 1969.

1967 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
230 OHC inline-six OHC 6 1-bbl	165 hp gross	Firebird (base)
230 OHC inline-six OHC 6 4-bbl	215 hp gross	Sprint
326 V8 326 2-bbl	250 hp gross	Firebird 326
326 V8 326 H.O. 4-bbl	285 hp gross	Firebird H.O.
400 V8 400 4-bbl	325 hp gross	Firebird 400

1968 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six OHC 6 1-bbl	175 hp gross	Firebird (base)
250 inline-six OHC 6 4-bbl	215 hp gross	Sprint
350 V8 350 2-bbl	265 hp gross	Firebird 350
350 V8 350 H.O. 4-bbl	320 hp gross	Firebird H.O.
400 V8 400 4-bbl	330 hp gross	Firebird 400
400 V8 400 H.O. and 400 Ram Air	335 hp gross	Firebird 400
400 V8 400 Ram Air II	340 hp gross	Firebird 400

1969 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six OHC 6 1-bbl	175 hp gross	Firebird (base)
250 inline-six OHC 6 4-bbl	215 hp gross	Sprint
250 inline-six OHC 6 4-bbl	230 hp gross	Sprint
350 V8 350 2-bbl	265 hp gross	Firebird 350
350 V8 350 H.O. 4-bbl	325 hp gross	Firebird H.O.
400 V8 400 4-bbl	330 hp gross	Firebird 400
400 V8 400 H.O.	335 hp gross	Firebird 400, Trans Am (standard)
400 V8 400 Ram Air IV	345 hp gross	Firebird 400, Trans Am (optional)

Second generation (1970–1981)

The second generation went from the 1970 Ram Air IV to the 1973–1974 Super Duty 455 and, from 1977, a mix of Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet and Buick engines. The 1980–1981 Turbo Trans Am used a turbocharged 301.

1970 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	155 hp gross	Firebird
350 V8 (L30)	255 hp gross	Esprit (standard), Firebird (optional)
400 V8 (L65)	265 hp gross	Esprit
400 V8 (L78)	330 hp gross	Formula 400 (standard)
400 V8 (L74) Ram Air IV.	345 hp gross	Trans Am (standard), Formula 400 (optional)
400 V8 (LS1) Ram Air IV.	345 hp gross	Trans Am

1971 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	145 hp gross	Firebird
350 V8 (L30)	250 hp gross	Esprit (standard), Formula 350 (standard), Firebird (optional)
400 V8 (L65)	265 hp gross	Esprit
400 V8 (L78)	300 hp gross	Formula 400
455 V8 (L75)	325 hp gross	Formula 455
455 V8 (LS5)	335 hp gross	Trans Am (standard), Formula 455 (optional)

1972 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	110 hp net	Firebird
350 V8 (L30)	160 hp net	Esprit (standard), Firebird (optional)
350 V8 (L30)	175 hp net	Formula 350
400 V8 (L65)	175 hp net	Esprit
400 V8 (L78)	250 hp net	Formula 400
455 V8 (LS5)	300 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula 455

1973 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	100 hp net	Firebird
350 V8 (L30)	150 hp net	Esprit (standard), Firebird (optional)
350 V8 (L30)	175 hp net	Formula
400 V8 (L65)	170 hp net	Esprit
400 V8 (L78)	230 hp net	Formula
455 V8 (L75)	250 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula (optional)
455 V8 (LS2)	310 hp net	Trans Am, Formula

1974 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	100 hp net	Firebird
350 V8 (L30)	155 hp net	Esprit (standard), Firebird (optional)
350 V8 (L30)	170 hp net	Formula (standard)
400 V8 (L65)	190 hp net	Formula
400 V8 (L78)	225 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula (optional)
455 V8 (L75)	250 hp net	Trans Am, Formula
455 V8 (LS2)	290 hp net	Trans Am, Formula

1975 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	105 hp net	Firebird, Esprit
350 V8 (L30)	155 hp net	Firebird, Esprit
350 V8 (L76)	175 hp net	Formula (standard), Firebird, Esprit
400 V8 (L78)	185 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula
455 V8 (L75)	200 hp net	Trans Am

1976 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
4.1L / 250 inline-six (L22) Built by Chevrolet.	105 hp net	Firebird, Esprit
5.7L / 350 V8 (L30)	160 hp net	Formula (standard), Firebird, Esprit
5.7L / 350 V8 (L76)	165 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula
6.6L / 400 V8 (L78)	185 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Firebird, Esprit, Formula
7.5L / 455 V8 (L75)	200 hp net	Trans Am

1977 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (LD5) Built by Buick.	105 hp net	Firebird (standard), Esprit (standard)
4.9L / 301 V8 (L27)	135 hp net	Formula (standard until mid-year), Firebird, Esprit
5.7L / 350 V8 (L76)	170 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula
5.7L / 350 V8 (L34) Built by Oldsmobile.	170 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula
6.6L / 400 V8 (L78)	180 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula, Firebird, Esprit
6.6L / 400 V8 (W72)	200 hp net	Trans Am, Formula
6.6L / 403 V8 (L80) Built by Oldsmobile.	185 hp net	Trans Am, Formula

1978 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (LD5) Built by Buick.	105 hp net	Firebird (standard), Esprit (standard)
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG3) Built by Chevrolet.	145 hp net	Formula (standard), Firebird, Esprit
5.7L / 350 V8 (LM1) Built by Chevrolet.	170 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula
6.6L / 400 V8 (L78)	180 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula
6.6L / 400 V8 (W72)	220 hp net	Trans Am, Formula
6.6L / 403 V8 (L80) Built by Oldsmobile.	185 hp net	Trans Am, Formula

1979 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (LD5) Built by Buick.	105–115 hp net	Firebird (standard), Esprit (standard)
4.9L / 301 V8 (L27)	135 hp net	Formula (standard), Firebird, Esprit
4.9L / 301 V8 (L37)	150 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula, Trans Am
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG3) Built by Chevrolet.	125–135 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula
5.7L / 350 V8 (LM1) Built by Chevrolet.	160–170 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula
6.6L / 400 V8 (W72)	220 hp net	Trans Am, Formula
6.6L / 403 V8 (L80) Built by Oldsmobile.	185 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula

1980 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (LD5) Built by Buick.	115 hp net	Firebird (standard), Esprit (standard)
4.3L / 265 V8 (LS5)	120 hp net	Firebird, Esprit
4.9L / 301 V8 (L37)	140 hp net	Formula (standard), Firebird, Esprit
4.9L / 301 V8 (L37 + W72)	155 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Formula
4.9L / 301 V8 turbo (LU8) Turbocharged.	210 hp net	Trans Am, Formula
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	150 hp net	Firebird, Esprit, Formula, Trans Am

1981 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (LD5) Built by Buick.	110 hp net	Firebird (standard), Esprit (standard)
4.3L / 265 V8 (LS5)	120 hp net	Formula (standard), Firebird, Esprit
4.9L / 301 V8 (L37)	150 hp net	Trans Am (standard), Firebird, Esprit, Formula
4.9L / 301 V8 turbo (LU8) Turbocharged.	200 hp net	Trans Am, Formula
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	150 hp net	Formula, Trans Am

Third generation (1982–1992)

The third generation offered the Iron Duke four, Chevrolet V6s and 305 and 350 V8s, with Tuned Port Injection from 1985, and the 1989 Turbo Trans Am's 3.8 turbo V6.

1982 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.5L / 151 inline-four (LQ9)	90 hp net	Firebird standard, S/E credit option
2.8L / 173 V6 (LC1) Built by Chevrolet.	102–105 hp net	S/E standard, Firebird optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	145 hp net	Trans Am standard, Firebird/S/E optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (LU5) Built by Chevrolet.	165 hp net	Trans Am optional, automatic only

1983 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.5L / 151 inline-four (LQ9) Published ratings for this engine vary.	90–92 hp net	Firebird standard, S/E credit option
2.8L / 173 V6 (LC1) Built by Chevrolet.	107 hp net	Firebird optional
2.8L / 173 V6 (LL1) Built by Chevrolet.	125 hp net	S/E standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	150 hp net	Trans Am standard, Firebird/S/E optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (LU5) Built by Chevrolet.	175 hp net	Trans Am optional, 4-spd automatic only

1984 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.5L / 151 inline-four (LQ9) Published ratings for this engine vary.	90–92 hp net	Firebird standard, S/E credit option
2.8L / 173 V6 (LC1) Built by Chevrolet.	107 hp net	Firebird optional
2.8L / 173 V6 (LL1) Built by Chevrolet.	125 hp net	S/E standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	150 hp net	Trans Am standard, Firebird/S/E optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (L69) Built by Chevrolet.	190 hp net	Trans Am optional

1985 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.5L / 151 inline-four (LQ9)	88 hp net	Firebird standard
2.8L / 173 V6 (LB8) Built by Chevrolet.	135 hp net	Firebird optional, Firebird SE standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	155–160 hp net	Trans Am standard, Firebird SE optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (L69) Built by Chevrolet.	190 hp net	Trans Am optional, 5-speed
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	210 hp net	Trans Am optional, automatic only

1986 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.5L / 151 inline-four (LQ9)	88 hp net	Firebird standard (5-speed)
2.8L / 173 V6 (LB8) Built by Chevrolet.	135 hp net	Firebird optional, Firebird SE standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	165 hp net	Trans Am standard, Firebird/SE optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (L69) Built by Chevrolet.	190 hp net	Trans Am optional, 5-speed only
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	210 hp net	Trans Am optional, 4-speed automatic

1987 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.8L / 173 V6 (LB8) Built by Chevrolet.	135 hp net	Firebird standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LG4) Built by Chevrolet.	155–170 hp net	Formula/Trans Am standard, Firebird optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	205 hp net	Formula/Trans Am optional, GTA (credit option)
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	210 hp net	GTA standard, Formula/Trans Am optional, 4-speed automatic only

1988 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.8L / 173 V6 (LB8) Built by Chevrolet.	135 hp net	Firebird standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (L03) Built by Chevrolet.	170 hp net	Formula/Trans Am standard, Firebird optional
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	190 hp net	Formula/Trans Am/GTA optional, automatic
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	215 hp net	Formula/Trans Am/GTA optional, 5-speed
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	225 hp net	GTA standard, Formula/Trans Am optional, Automatic only

1989 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
2.8L / 173 V6 (LB8) Built by Chevrolet.	135 hp net	Firebird standard
3.8L / 231 V6 turbo Turbocharged 3.8, assembled by PAS Inc. under contract to Pontiac. Built by Buick.	250 hp net	20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am (GTA-based), automatic only
5.0L / 305 V8 (L03) Built by Chevrolet.	170 hp net	Firebird optional, Formula/Trans Am standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	190 hp net	Formula/Trans Am/GTA, 4-speed automatic
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	215 hp net	Trans Am, 5-speed
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	225 hp net	Formula and GTA, 5-speed
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	225 hp net	Trans Am/GTA, automatic
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	235 hp net	Formula; GTA

1990 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.1L / 191 V6 (LH0) Built by Chevrolet.	140 hp net	Firebird standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (L03) Built by Chevrolet.	170 hp net	Firebird optional, Formula standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	200 hp net	Formula/Trans Am, 4-speed automatic
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	225 hp net	Formula/Trans Am/GTA, 5-speed
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	235 hp net	GTA standard, Formula/Trans Am optional, Automatic only

1991 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.1L / 191 V6 (LH0) Built by Chevrolet.	140 hp net	Firebird standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (L03) Built by Chevrolet.	170 hp net	Firebird optional, Formula standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	205 hp net	Trans Am standard, Formula optional, 4-speed automatic
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	230 hp net	Trans Am/Formula/GTA, 5-speed
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	240 hp net	GTA standard, Formula/Trans Am optional, 4-speed automatic only

1992 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.1L / 191 V6 (LH0) Built by Chevrolet.	140 hp net	Firebird standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (L03) Built by Chevrolet.	170 hp net	Firebird optional, Formula standard
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	205 hp net	Trans Am standard, Formula optional, Automatic
5.0L / 305 V8 (LB9) Built by Chevrolet.	230 hp net	Trans Am/Formula/GTA, 5-speed
5.7L / 350 V8 (L98) Built by Chevrolet.	240 hp net	GTA standard, Formula/Trans Am optional, Automatic only

Fourth generation (1993–2002)

The fourth generation used the LT1 350 until 1997 and the aluminum LS1 from 1998, with WS6 Ram Air versions, plus Chevrolet and Buick V6s. SLP Firehawk conversions were dealer-installed and are not listed.

1993 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.4L / 207 V6 (L32)	160 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 350 V8 (LT1)	275 hp net	Formula, Trans Am

1994 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.4L / 207 V6 (L32)	160 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 350 V8 (LT1)	275 hp net	Formula, Trans Am, Trans Am GT, 25th Anniversary Trans Am

1995 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.4L / 207 V6 (L32)	160 hp net	Firebird
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 350 V8 (LT1)	275 hp net	Formula, Trans Am

1996 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 350 V8 (LT1)	285 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 350 V8 LT1 + WS6 Ram Air	305 hp net	Formula WS6, Trans Am WS6

1997 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 350 V8 (LT1)	285 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 350 V8 LT1 + WS6 Ram Air	305 hp net	Formula WS6, Trans Am WS6, WS6 convertibles (new for 1997)

1998 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 346 V8 (LS1)	305 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 346 V8 LS1 + WS6 Ram Air	320 hp net	Formula WS6, Trans Am WS6

1999 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 346 V8 (LS1)	305 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 346 V8 LS1 + WS6 Ram Air	320 hp net	Formula WS6, Trans Am WS6, 30th Anniversary Trans Am

2000 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 346 V8 (LS1)	305 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 346 V8 LS1 + WS6 Ram Air	320 hp net	Formula WS6, Trans Am WS6

2001 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 346 V8 (LS1)	310 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 346 V8 LS1 + WS6 Ram Air	325 hp net	Trans Am WS6

2002 Firebird engines

Engine	Rated	Offered in
3.8L / 231 V6 (L36)	200 hp net	Firebird
5.7L / 346 V8 (LS1)	310 hp net	Formula, Trans Am
5.7L / 346 V8 LS1 + WS6 Ram Air	325 hp net	Trans Am WS6, Collector Edition Trans Am

Working on one of these engines?

• Engine displacement from bore and stroke
• Static and dynamic compression ratio
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