New Pontiac Cars

The Most Popular 1978 Pontiac Cars

1978 Pontiac Firebird

1978 Pontiac Firebird

1978 Pontiac Firebird is available in 2 models, Formula and Trans Am. With effects of emission controls taking an impact on the Firebird, Pontiac would continue the long struggle for larger and more powerful engines. Formula coupes now had a standard 301-cid V-8, and the Trans Ams carried a 180 horsepower 400 V-8.

Beginning in 1978, Pontiac engineers reversed years of declining HP numbers by raising compression in the Pontiac 400 through the installation of different cylinder heads with smaller combustions chambers (from the Pontiac 350). The street ready Formula Firebird saw only 24,346 compared to 93,341 Trans Ams produced, and even lower numbers with the Z-Code 400 CI engine.

In the 1978 Pontiac Firebird, you couldn’t “chip” an engine to make more horsepower and “cat-back” exhaust systems were unheard of. If you wanted an EPA legal power boost, you had but one choice- visit your Pontiac dealer. Some pretty neat features went into making of a T/A 6.6. First there was the carburetion, fattened up slightly for little more oomph. Next was a bit more spark advance, giving the General Motor high energy ignition more oportunity to burn that fuel bonus.

The 1978 Pontiac Firebird’s exterior dimensions are 5000 mm length, 1854 mm width, 1255 mm height, 2746 mm wheelbase, 1557 mm front track, and 1534 mm rear track.

1978 Pontiac Grand Prix

The 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix come with base, LJ, and SJ models. In 1978, the Grand Prix debuted in an all new G-body that was 700 pounds lighter and 17 inches shorter than its predecessor.

For the first time in its 17-year production run, the GP did not come with a Pontiac V8—or any V8—as standard equipment. If you didn’t check any other engine option, you received a 231 Buick V6, hooked to a 3-speed manual gearbox.

The Buick 231 CID V6 is standard engine in the 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix base model and two versions of the Pontiac 301 CID V8 (Chevy 305 V8 in California) were optional. The luxury LJ model came standard with the 135 hp (101 kW) 301 V8 with 2-barrel carburetor while the sporty SJ was powered by a 150 hp (112 kW) 301 V8 with 4-barrel carburetor.

In the 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix’s interior, a new dash with a squared-off perimeter was complemented by an array of round gauges with simulated wood trim. Bench seats were available in the base model, and a loose-pillow version of the bench seat came in the LJ. Bucket seats with see-through headrests is available on the SJ.

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