![]() ![]() ![]() The hottest of these was the 220 horsepower Pontiac W72 400 CID V8. There were other V8 options for the 1979 Formula such as the LG3 Chevy 305 2 bbl., LM1 (Chevy 350, Olds 350, or Buick 350) 4 bbl., L80 Olds 403 4 bbl., and W72 Pontiac 400 4 bbl. It paled in comparison with the high horsepower 400 and 455 equipped Formulas of the early 1970s, but for 1979, 150 horsepower was more than most of the competition. The 301 provided enough grunt to move the Formula with authority. To show this figure for 1979 was impressive, as a comparison the base V8 on the 1974 Formula was a 155 horsepower Pontiac 350 2 bbl. V8 was the standard motor for the 1979 Formula. This included the Trans Am’s hottest motors for every year from 1970 to 1981 with the exception of 1975-1976 (these were the only two years the Formula could not be ordered with the best motor available on the same year Trans Am).įor 1979, the Formula had a new front-end and rear-end design just like the other 1979 Firebirds and 1979 Trans Am. For most years, Formula buyers could get all the performance goodies available on the Trans Am. Being there was a Trans Am, the Formula became the budget Trans Am. If there never had been the Trans Am, the Formula was hot enough to have handled the top dog muscle car slot for Pontiac with ease. The Formula was a performance oriented Firebird since its first year of production in 1970. Starting in 1977 the base Firebird, Esprit, and Formula could all be equipped with the new 301. It was the perfect V8 motor for the times. The 301 provided ample power yet good gas mileage for a V8. However none of the 301 parts were interchangeable with any of the previous Pontiac V8s. The 301 was a smooth motor that looked similar to the familiar Pontiac V8 which came in one physical size and many different displacement versions from 287 to 455 cubic inches. Pontiac released the 301 CID (4.9 liter) V8 for the 1977 model year on many of its rear-wheel drive cars. To Pontiac’s credit it already had developed a reliable small displacement V8. Pontiac was forced to forge ahead in a new direction. 1976 would be the last year for the Pontiac 455 V would be the last year for the Pontiac 400. ratings were the final blow to last bastion of big cubic-inch performance, GM was forced to pull the plug on Pontiac’s large displacement V8s. In the 1970s the word was out that Pontiac was the place to obtain a large helping of big-cubic inch power, and soaring Trans Am sales proved it. Pontiac was the exception it was still providing Trans Ams with serious contender (for the time period) 400 and 455 CID V8s. V8s are perfect examples of real serious Pontiac performance motors that are forgotten by most.īy the mid-1970s most automakers had left performance behind. ![]() In Pontiac circles the same is true with the Pontiac 389, 421, 428, 455, and 400 V8s get the limelight while there were other smaller displacement Pontiac performance motors that performed very well but are rarely mentioned. Forgotten are the 383 and 340 powered Chargers which still had enough muscle to burn the tires and keep the competition in check. For instance when the golden era Dodge Charger is mentioned, the 426 Hemi and 440 Chargers dominate the conversation. ![]() When discussions arise concerning muscle cars usually the most ballsy performance oriented examples dominate the conversation. ![]()
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