Pontiac Sunbird Used Parts Online

The Pontiac Sunbird, produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors, was Pontiac's second small-car offering of the 70's. The Sunbird model ran for 18 years (with a lapse during the 1981 & 1982 model years, as the 1982 model was called J2000) then replaced in 1995 by the Pontiac Sunfire. Through the years the Sunbird was available in notchback coupe, hatchback, station wagon, and convertible body styles. First generation 1976–1980 The Pontiac Sunbird is a subcompact, four-passenger automobile introduced in September 1975, and produced for the 1976 through 1980 model years. The first-generation Sunbird is based on the Chevrolet Vega, shares Vega's wheelbase and width, and is part of the H-body platform. Its intended competitors were other small sporty two-door vehicles of the time, such as the Toyota Celica, Ford Capri, and the Ford Mustang II. The standard engine was the Vega aluminum-block 140 CID inline-4. Equipped with a single barrel carburetor, it generates a peak power output of 78 horsepower (58 kW) at 4200 rpm. the standard transmission was a 4-speed manual, with a 5-speed manual and 3-speed automatic transmission options. This engine was also available with a 2-barrel carburetor that increased peak power to 87 horsepower (65 kW) at 4400 rpm, as well as Buick's 3.8 L (231 cid) V6 engine rated at 110 horsepower (82 kW) at 4000 rpm. In 1977 the hatchback body-style was added as well as a new standard engine: Pontiac's 151 CID "Iron Duke" inline four-cylinder engine using a 2-barrel Holley carburetor and generating 90 horsepower (67 kW) at 4400 rpm. A Formula option was available on coupe and hatchback. It includes the handling package, a chrome valve cover, three-piece spoiler, T/A steering wheel, and special body decals. For the 1979 model year, the Chevrolet's 5.0 L (305 cid) V8 engine was made optional in the notchback and hatchback, while the Astre based hatchback was discontinued. The Sunbird Safari wagon continued for its final year. 1980 was the final production year of the H-bodied Sunbird. By this time the wagon body style and the optional V8 engine were discontinued. The year featured an unusually long production run in order to provide sufficient inventory to carry dealers into the 1981 model year, in anticipation of the Sunbird's replacement. Second generation 1982–1988 For 1982, the rear-wheel-drive Sunbird was replaced by a new front-wheel-drive compact called the J2000. Appearing as a sedan, coupe, wagon or hatchback, the J2000 was powered by either a 1.8L or 2.0L four cylinder engine. The J2000 shared GM's J-Body platform with the Chevrolet Cavalier, Oldsmobile Firenza, Buick Skyhawk and Cadillac Cimarron, Holden Camira. For 1983, the "J" prefix was dropped. This was in an effort to market the J2000 as a smaller version of the Pontiac 6000, which had a similar appearance. Both engines were replaced by a new SOHC 1.8L four, imported from GM of Brazil. This engine used throttle-body electronic fuel injection, in contrast to the carburetor that was used in the 1982 engines, making 84 hp (63 kW). A 5-speed manual was newly optional. A convertible called the 2000 Sunbird was also new for 1983. 1984 brought a new front fascia for a smoother, less angular look. Also, the lineup was renamed "2000 Sunbird", a title used only on the convertible the previous year. A new turbocharged four-cylinder was available. Based on the standard 1.8L inline-four that powered other 2000 Sunbirds, it used multi-port fuel injection, for a total output of 150 hp (110 kW). This engine was popular, and more powerful than many V6 engines in competing brands. 1985 was a carryover year, except for the "2000" prefix being dropped. A GT model arrived in 1986. It featured fender flares, hidden headlamps, and the Turbo engine standard. It was available in sedan, coupe or convertible. The GT sedan is very rare, with less than 5000 sold. A redesigned gauge cluster and new engines made news for the 1987 model year. The gauge cluster featured different graphics, and featured a 120 mph (190 km/h) speedometer on Turbo equipped models, where 1984-86 Turbo models had just an 85 mph (137 km/h) speedometer. The new engines were "punched out" versions of the 1.8L, displacing 2.0L. The base engine still used throttle-body injection, for a new total of 96 hp (72 kW), and the turbo still used port-injection, for a new total of 165 hp (123 kW). Also, the convertible could only be ordered in GT trim. The rear fascia was redesigned in 1988, and the 4-speed manual was discontinued. Sunbird underwent a redesign mid-way through the year. Third generation 1988.5–1994 The Sunbird was redesigned in 1988 as a 1988.5 model. Production under the Sunbird name was continued until 1994. The trim levels on both the sedan and coupe were base, SE and GT. The Sunbird SE coupe, SE sedan and the GT coupe and convertible had hidden retractable headlamps where the base model initially had the 1984-87 front fascia with exposed sealed beam headlamps. The engines were both the carryover 2.0L 96 hp (72 kW) I4 and the turbocharged 165 horsepower 2.0L four. In 1989, the base model received a smoother, more aerodynamic front fascia and the model was renamed "LE". An LE coupe joined the lineup also, with the same features as the LE sedan, but for a slightly lower price. The SE sedan was discontinued. In all models, however, a new dashboard was added. It somewhat resembled that of the Pontiac Grand Prix, redesigned for 1988. The most notable change from the previous dashboard is the placement of the stereo. A redesigned AM/FM stereo unit was placed high in the dash. If a cassette player or compact disc player (new for 1989) were ordered, they were relocated at the bottom of the dash. The Safari wagon was dropped. For 1990, the GT and SE coupes received a smoother front fascia with hidden headlamps. The GT covertible is discontinued, replaced by a turbocharged LE convertible, which also retains the GT suspension and steering. In all models, GM's passive seatbelt system was introduced. The seatbelts were mounted on the doors and would stretch out when latched. The largest change for the '92 model year was a revision of the base engine. The 2.0L four traded in its throttle body injection for multi-point injection, resulting in a fuel economy increase and power increase. Power was increased from96 hp (72 kW) to 110 hp (82 kW) and torque increased from 118 to 124 lb-ft (168 N-m). An SE sedan was once again available, and the base models were dropped and the convertible moved from LE to SE. The only change for 1993 was the addition of a glass rear window with defroster on convertibles. As the Sunbird came to a close, the trims were pared down. The SE sedan, SE convertible and GT coupe were dropped for 1994. The LE sedan, LE coupe and LE convertible (moved from SE to LE), and SE coupe stood pat for one more year. The SE coupe was essentially the '93 GT coupe with a lower price. The Sunbird GT model was introduced in 1986 as a coupe, sedan or convertible, with the 1.8L 150 horsepower (110 kW) turbocharged, port fuel injected four cylinder engine standard. This was changed to the 165 horsepower (123 kW), 2.0L Turbo for 1987. All GTs featured semi-concealed headlamps and fender flares and "Turbo GT" Badging replacing "Sunbird" Badging. The Sedan was dropped for 1988, and the interior was redesigned for 1989. The convertible was dropped for 1990, the turbo for 1991. Replacing the turbo four-cylinder for 1991 was GMs venerable 3.1L V6 that produced 140 horsepower (100 kW), but is much quieter than the turbo. After 1993, the GT coupe became the SE coupe when the lineup was consolidated prior to the new model to arrive for 1995.

Engines The 1982-1994 Sunbird came with one of these engines: 1982: 1.8 L carbureted OHV I4 1982: 2.0 L carbureted OHV I4 1983-1986: 1.8 L TBI SOHC I4 1983-1986: 1.8 L turbocharged MPFI SOHC I4 1987-1991: 2.0 L TBI SOHC I4 1987-1990: 2.0 L turbocharged MPFI SOHC I4 1991-1994: 3.1 L (191 CID) 60° V6 1992-1994: 2.0 L MPFI SOHC I4