There were 50,896 Trans Ams built in 1980 by Pontiac. The top performing engine was the turbo 301 cubic inch V8. This was not the first American car with a turbo V8 but it is probably the most remembered. This one left the factory in Code 76 Montreaux Maroon. The car is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin home of TTA Performance who specializes in making these cars run like they should. This one i listed here on FaceBook Marketplace for $21,000.The seller states that the car has no rust and a clean title.
I well remember the day in 1979 when the Turbo Trans Am was introduced and car magazines were publishing their tests. The turbo V8 was available only in the 1980-1981 Firebird Trans Am and Formula and the turbocharged V8 engine was designated LU8. The turbo 301 cubic inch V8 engine (4.9 liter) was rated at 210 horsepower in 1980 and 200 horsepower in 1981. The LU8 was equipped with a Garrett TB305 turbo and a Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. While the horsepower and and torque were comparable to prior years, the road tests showed the car was much slower. In fact, the tests cars were probably specially tuned because by the time the turbo cars got to the dealerships, the performance (especially off the line) disappointed many buyers.
The example is equipped with a red hobnail cloth deluxe interior which came with upgraded seats and door panels. The car has tilt steering, air conditioning, remote mirrors and cruise control. The dash is cracked which can be repaired but will need to be removed to send it off to one of two shops that handle that type of restoration. All turbo 301 cubic inch V8 engines were backed by a GM Turbo 350 automatic transmission and a 3.08 rear gear. This car is equipped with the WS6 Performance Handling Package which included 4 wheel disc brakes, bigger sway bars, 15×8 wheels and improved power steering turning ratios.
This Turbo Trans Am looks to be solid but needs some paint work, decals and some other TLC. The quarter mile times were 1.5 seconds to 2.0 seconds slower than the 1979 W72 equipped Trans Am. Part of the reason for this was that the turbo motor did not generate its peak horsepower and torque numbers until higher RPMs. This car is said to have 85,000 miles and runs well.
A turbo 301 sounded like a great idea, but I believe it needed more refinement. Buick was in the same boat but they were able to keep their V6 and refine it to finally get it right in 1986.
Like DW just said. The Buick turbo V6 at its beggining in 78 was very basic and prone with issues in driveability. But just about every year Buick was refining it with better technologie. Final result the 86 to 89 (Trans-Am included) was one great engine. If Pontiac would have been allowed to keep just this V-8 for the Trans-Am it would have benefited from the same refinements throughout the years and made its own mark in GM’s and Pontiac history
100%. Those first Turbo Buick V6’s were compete dogs. And rough as a cob to boot. But Fuel Injection, Intercoolers and more sophisticated engine management made them into stout and refined performers. GM gave up on the 301 way too early, this could have been a much more desirable and unique engine than the various 305 Chevy variants that accompanied the next Generation F-body’s. Another GM miss that could have been a huge advantage in the marketplace.
Seller did mention my favorite 301 turbo shop but not much else regarding up grades? Did not see intercooler, which was the biggest help to this motor. I went through two turbos on my 81. Price is right if the work was done or he happens to live in Kenosha?
The Turbo Turkey’s are all coming out to roost. We’re getting about one a week on BF. A rising tide floats all T/A’s, it would seem.
The biggest problems with the Turbo TAs was a lack of high octane unleaded at the time, and a lack of familiarity by both the customers and mechanics on how to deal with turbos. The idea of allowing the engine to idle after a hard run to avoiding coking of the oil, was foreign to most buyers. Even oil qualities of the time weren’t friendly to it.
Nowadays they run well, reliably handing 15 lbs of boost on thr stock bottom end, and easily outrunning the anything but a seriously modified W72 400. Great car. Great engine.
So true, When my wife used my car ( not often ) the idle down was foreign to her. We were out of the city on a fast Highway consequently costing 2 turbos over 3 years. Love the way it handled and the power was good enough for me. Now much older and want MORE power.
The few guys I knew that had 301 Turbo slug, swapped in 455
I guess like said above, knowledge and care likely helped kill these. I had one in brown. T tops, the works. The car was , for me crap! I got rid of it and never looked back
I bought another 79, 400, 4 speed, 4 wheel disc car and it was and still is for me. a much better combo.
This was the exact car my mother bought in 1981. We had two other 79 Trans Am’s, one auto one stick. This couldn’t keep up with either 79. She did not own it long, was a dog.