Trans Am
The Trans Am is the performance
Firebird. Equipped to the max for handling, responsiveness and top 0 to 60 performance, this machine boasts a number of impressive
and functional "extras," that will make its identity with the hard-core "quarter-mile"
crowd unmistakable. In addition to (or in place of) features which the Firebird
coupe has standard, the Trans Am includes:
Mechanical
•
L 5.0 liter 4-barrel V-8145 horsepower engine with dual -resonator exhaust, heavy-duty
4-speed manual transmission and 3.21:1 rear axle ratio. 0 to 60 performance time
is 10 seconds.
•
A heavier (level II) suspension package that includes a “quicker” steering ratio,
turbo cast aluminum wheels, steel-belted radial blackwall tires. (This suspension
package is also standard on the SE, see engineering section for more details.)
Exterior—Functional
•
Front fender air extractors in the quarter panels behind the wheel housings provide
optimal cooling for the front disc brakes and engine compartment.
•
A flexible black extension on the front air dam helps improve the aerodynamics even
further.
•
Front and rear wheel opening air dams also contribute to improved aerodynamics.
•
The rear wing deck spoiler is another superb aerodynamic aid. It is a one-piece
unit securely fastened to the lid on two struts.
•
The flush aero covers on the lightweight turbo cast aluminum wheels (also standard
on the SE) are the result of extensive wind tunnel development, and are responsible
for several counts of the Trans Am's reduced drag coefficient.
Unlike the Trans Am of
the past, with its imposing scoops, flairs and graphics, the '82 Trans Am was designed
to be the smoothest, most aerodynamically fluid piece of machinery ever produced
...and it is. Much more subtle than in the past, it is also vastly more aerodynamic
and fuel efficient, and with the aforementioned aerodynamic devices included in
today’s package, the '82 Trans Am boasts a .342 drag coefficient, nine points better
than the Firebird coupe.
Exterior—Appearance
Because the 1982 Trans
Am has its aerodynamics "built-in:'
Pontiac
design engineers chose a high-tech "mechanical" approach to establishing its new
exterior identity. Five bright, high intensity, upper
body colors are available with black lower body paint accents. (When black is specified
as the upper body color, the lower paint accent is gold.) A tape stripe color-coordinated
to the upper body extends along the cars perimeter at the paint break line.
All of the elements that
identify the car as a Trans Am are also in high-tech, structural-look black—the
turbo wheel covers ... the dual mirrors ... the rear deck spoiler ... the door handles
and key lock cylinders ... the windowsill molding ... the flexible air dam extension
... the front fender air extractors...the "Trans Am" lettering just above the fender
extractors . ,. the small "Bird" graphic—including one centered on the leading edge
of the hood and another on the sail panel (an argent finished "Bird" is centered
on the blacked-out, full-width rear tail lamp) „, all of these features are high-tech
and functional in appearance.
Interior
•
Full instrumentation including—speedometer, trip odometer and tachometer ... gages
for oil pressure, voltage, fuel level and coolant temperature...warning lights for
check engine, parking brake on and fasten belts...and indicators for choke and right-
and left-hand turn signals.
•
Remote control for left-hand outside rearview mirror. Exclusive Trans Am Options
The 5.0 liter, Dual TBI
cross-ram fuel-injected engine is available only in Trans Ams
equipped with an automatic transmission and special performance handling package
(option WS6). Featuring two single-point throttle body injection assemblies on a
cross-flow aluminum intake manifold, this powertrain develops 165 horsepower at
4200 rpm and rockets the Trans Am from 0 to 60 in nine seconds. That's better than
Pontiac
Pontiac Firebird 's 1981 Turbo Trans Am, and this year's Trans Am does it with a
10% improvement in fuel economy over last year's Turbo. A sport aluminum hood with
functional "thru the hood" ram air induction is standard with this option.
This engine is an adaptation
of the 5.0 liter 4-barrel V-8 that is standard in the Trans Am and available in
the coupe and SE. It was designed and retuned for high performance with—
— A higher compression
ratio (9.5:1 versus 8.6:1)
— A specific camshaft
and manifold for improved high speed breathing
— A free-flow exhaust system
— Unrestricted
high density air intake for optimum performance, includes a computer controlled
functional hood louver
—A 20 horsepower
increase over the 5.0 liter 4-barrel V-8
Another new option only
to be available in the Trans Am will be the Recaro Trans Am option package. Available
on a limited edition (approximately 1,000 vehicles) basis for '82, this package
can be ordered only with Trans Ams that feature the
Black/Gold exterior paint scheme.
The Recaro Trans Am option
package includes: the Dual TBI 5.0 liter V-8 engine (with automatic transmission)
... or 5.0 liter 4-barrel V-8 engine with 4-speed manual transmission ...WS6 special
handling package...luxury interior trim group—Charcoal cloth ... and removable glass
hatch panels.
Recaro bucket seats are
orthopedically designed with anatomically-contoured
cushions that can be molded to fit the rider like a glove. Separate adjustments
allow fine-tuning to achieve perfect lumbar (middle of the back) support and lateral
(side-to-side) restraint for every individual.
Unqualified comfort, absolute
command of the road, and virtual elimination of driver fatigue are the benefits
of Recaro seating acclaimed for years by top racing circuit drivers. For those who
won't sit still for anything else, the Recaro Trans Am option will be the ultimate
final touch to the true performance car enthusiast's Trans Am.
-The 1982 Firebird Book, 11/81