©classiccars
1980sClassic Muscle CarsPontiacPontiac Firebird
0

1985 Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac Firebird (1985) – Ultimate Guide

Introduction

  • According to John Schinella, Firebird’s chief designer, the famed coupe became “more of a thoroughbred in 1985” with a “more aggressive” image and dramatic restyling.
  • Also new was a V-8 power plant with tuned-port fuel injection that was intended to deliver a 0-60 mph time in about 8.1 seconds.
  • Engine choices also included the base 151-cid (2.5-liter) four, the fuel-injected 173-cid (2.8-liter) V-6, standard ride/handling package now included all of the components of the former Y99 option except for special tires.
  • The basic appearance was similar to 1984
  • Optional in the Trans Am, this 205-hp V-8 produced 270 lb-ft of torque.
  • The Trans Am displayed
    • new aero-tuned rocker and quarter panel extensions
    • a new hood with twin louvers near the front
    • built-in fog lamps where the big air slots otherwise would be
  • An improved Y99 package included 15 inch wheels.
  • Diamond spoke wheels were a new option this year.

I.D. NUMBERS

Pontiac used the industry-wide 17-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
It was located on the upper left surface of the instrument panel, visible through the windshield
Position Character Description
1st 1 US built
2nd G General Motors product
3rd 2 Pontiac Motor Division vehicle
4th A Manual seatbelts
5th S Firebird
X SE
W Trans Am
6th & 7th 87 Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
8th * Engine type where * is replaced by the following

  • U = 151-cid 4, 88-hp
  • 2 = 151-cid 4, 88-hp
  • 5 = 173-cid V6, 135-hp
  • 9 = 173-cid V6, 135-hp
  • W = 173-cid V6, 135-hp
  • H = 305-cid V8, 165-hp (Chevrolet/GM 4-barrel V8 produced in Canada)
  • F = 305-cid V8, 190-hp
9th ? A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
10th F The model year where F = 1985
11th _ Manufacturing plant code
12th to 17th 100001 and up Production sequence serial number

IDENTIFICATION

Model Number Style Number Body Type Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
2F S87 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – Four 4 $8763 2866 46,644
both 4 & V8
2F S87 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V6 4 $9013 2948
2F X87 2-door Hardtop SE – V6 4 $11,063 2965 5,208
2F X87 2-door Hardtop SE – V8 4 $11,263 3145
2F W87 2-door Hardtop Trans Am – V8 4 $11,113 3107 44,028

ENGINE

VIN Code U or 2 5, 9, or W H (Chev) G F
Cylinders Four (inline) 60° V-6 90° V-8 90° V-8 H.O. 90° V-8 H.O.
Valving Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve
Block Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Head Cast-iron Aluminum Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Bore & Stroke 4.00 x 3.00 in. 3.50 x 3.00 in. 3.74 x 3.48 in. 3.74 x 3.48 in. 3.74 x 3.48 in.
Displacement 151 cid (2.5 liters) 173 cid (2.8 liters) 305 cid (5.0 liters) 305 cid (5.0 liters) 305 cid (5.0 liters)
Compression ratio 9.0 : 1 8.9 : 1 9.5 : 1 9.5 : 1 9.5 : 1
Brake H.P. 88 @ 4400 rpm 135 @ 5100 165 @ 4200 rpm 190 @ 4800 rpm 205 @ 4400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 132-134 @ 2800 rpm 160-165 @ 3600 rpm 250 @ 2400 rpm 240 @ 3200 rpm 275 @ 3200 rpm
Main bearings Five Four Five Five Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic
Carburetor Throttle-body fuel injection 4-barrel 4-barrel Throttle-body fuel Injection

TRANSMISSION

Four-speed Transmission Standard on base Firebird
Five-speed Transmission Standard on Firebird SE
Three-speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic Optional
Four-speed Turbo-Hydra-Matic Optional
Final drive ratio with 4-speed 3.42 : 1
Final drive ratio with V-6 and 5-speed 3.73 : 1
Final drive ratio with V-8 and 5-speed 3.23 : 1
Final drive ratio with 3-speed automatic 3.23 : 1
Final drive ratio with 4-speed automatic 2.93 : 1

CHASSIS

FEATURE Firebird SE Trans Am
Wheelbase 101.0 in. 101.0 in. 101.0 in.
Overall length 189.9 in. 189.9 in. 189.9 in.
Height 49.7 in. 49.7 49.7
Width 72.4 72.4 72.4
Front tread 60.7 60.7 60.7
Rear tread 61.6 61.6 61.6
Tires P195/75R14 SBR BSW P205/70R14 SBR BSW P205/70R14 SBR BSW
Steering Recirculating ball
Front suspension Modified MacPherson struts with coil springs between lower control arm and X-member
Rear suspension Torque arm/track bar with coil springs Torque arm/track bar with coil springs and anti-sway bar
Brakes Front disc, rear drums
Ignition Electronic
Body construction Unit
Fuel tank 15.9 gal

OPTIONS

173-cid FI V-6 $350
305-cid four-barrel V-8 for base Firebird $650
305-cid four-barrel V-8 for Firebird SE $300
H.O. 305-cid V-8 four-barrel or FI for Trans Am $695
Four-speed automatic transmission $325
Limited-slip differential $95-$100
Power four-wheel disc brakes $179
Power four-wheel disc brakes within performance package N/C
Rally tuned suspension $30
Heavy-duty cooling $40-$70
Heavy-duty battery $25-$26
Heavy-duty alterntor $25-$51
Engine block heater $18-$19
California emissions $99
Firebird Trans Am special performance package $664
Firebird black appearance package $123-$152
Firebird custom exterior $51-$112
Firebird luxury interior trim $349-$359
Air conditioning $630-$730
Cruise control $175
Power seat $215-$488
Power windows $185-$260
Aero wing spoiler on Trans Am $199
Louvered rear sunshields $210
Two-tone paint $205
Lear Siegler bucket seats $$400-$759
Recaro bucket seats $636-$995

HISTORICAL NOTES

1985 Firebird Notes

  • Introduced on Nov. 8, 1984

1985 Automotive Notes

  • GM news:
  • Ford news:
  • Chrysler news:
  • AMC news:
  • Other makes news:
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1985
1. General Motors  4,490,883
2. Ford   1,735,782
3. Chrysler   1,315,326
4. AMC   150,189
5. Others  N/A
  • Top model year production for 1985
Chevrolet  1,418,098
Oldsmobile   1,165,649
Ford   1,149,427
Buick   1,002,906
Skyhawk   82,516
Skylark   93,157
Somerset Regal   86,071
Century  261,235
Regal   124,546
LeSabre  149,487
Electra  149,276
Riviera  65,305
Pontiac  519,390
Dodge   500,835
Chrysler   420,780
Mercury   419,869
Plymouth   393,711
Cadillac    384,840
Cimarron   19,890
Seville    39,755
DeVille & Fleetwood   140,866
Eldorado   76,401
Fleetwood Brougham   55,450
Fleetwood Limousine  405
Lincoln   166,486
AMC   150,189
Encore   58,525
Alliance   91,664
Eagle   3016,190
Avanti   N/A

1985 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery