1993-1996 Pontiac Firebird
The 1993 Firebird was very different from the others. The look is sort of newer and is more aerodynamic. 93' was the first year the Firebirds had rack-and-pinion steering. A few of the original motors were improved to fit the needs of consumers. The V6 used in third-gen Firebirds carried over but now is rated at 160 HP. An LT1 version of the 5.7 V8 was also popular, it as rated at 275 HP and was suprisingly fast. The 0-60 was recorded at 5.6 seconds. Magazines had a field day reviewing this car.
94' was ayear of not many changes. They intoduced a 25th anniversary Trans am that had a beautiful white and blue paint job. The Trans Am Gt was another addition to the line of Trans Am's. It had nice leather seats that were suited for long trips. A new design on the shift points was something else new. The car would force an upshift from first gear to fourth for better fuel economy. Many people at that time would modify that for better performance. Often doing a skip shift eliminator modification.
A very powerful 3800 V6 was added to all stock Firebird engines in 1995. The 3800 engine made about 200 HP. It could definitley run with most V8 Firebirds at the time. Not much else was intoduced that year.
Pontiac threw away the 3.4 due to to the intoduction of the 3800, and speaking of 3800, Pontiac added a 3800 package that contained four-wheel disc brakes, dual exhaust, and limited-slip differential and alloy wheels. That made peoples jaws drop. So did the newer versions of the Formula and Trans am's. The stock 5.7 now had 285 HP, and the WS6 package had a new Ram-Air induction system that had two nostrils like intakes on the hood. That improved performance and put it at 305 HP.
1997-1999 Pontiac Firebird
1997 emphasized the WS6 Ram Air package and included it with the Trans Am and The Formula. Those models also had the option of being equipped with a new Monsoon stereo system.
The 1998 Firebird adopted a new appearance, a sporty look that made even the stock Firebirds just as mean as the WS6, Trans Am, and Formula. The LS-1 V8 engine that produced 305 HP was introduced this year and was a spectacular addition to the list of Firebird engines.
In 1999, a 30th anniversary Trans Am was released, marking 30 years of Firebird production. A limited slip-differential for the V8 and a power steering cooler, also for the V8, were introduced.
2000-2002 Pontiac Firebird
From 1999 to 2002, the Firebird remained the same.
In 2001, there was no longer an option for Ram Air in the Formula and the LS1 engine was rated again. Now at 310 HP and 325 with the WS6 package.
Well for 2002, theres not much to say due to this being the Firebirds last year. They made an effort to go out with a bang by releasing a 35th Anniversary edition Trans Am. With yellow paint and graphics, it wasnt anything special.