1970 Pontiac Firebird Fact Sheet

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts, Figures, and Specifications

Five Fast Facts You May Not Know

1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

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1. FireBird Esprit is Luxury Model

2. Firebird 400 Gets Special Hood

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3. 345 HP Ram Air 400 only Available on Trans Am & 400

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4. No Convertible for New Body

5. In Windshield Antenna New

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1970 – All New Bodies – All New Chassis

Replacing the previous “Coke bottle” styling was an all-new body style. It was viewed as completely new, while it retained some traditional Pontiac and Firebird elements. The new generation of Firebirds were available in coupe form only. Models were renamed as well. Convertibles would not return until 1989.

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1970 Pontiac Firebird Resources

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1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1970 Pontiac Firebird

	10 Polar White
	14 Palladium Silver
	25 Bermuda Blue
	26 Lucerne Blue
	28 Atoll Blue
	43 Keylime Green
	45 Palisade Green
	47 Verdoro Green
	51 Goldenrod Yellow
	53 Coronado Gold
	58 Granada Gold
	63 Palomino Copper
	65 Carousel Red
	67 Castilian Bronze
	75 Cardinal Red

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1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1970 Pontiac Firebird

GM Design chief Bill Mitchell’s affinity for European touring cars drove the F-Body teams’ overall design theme, with the body proportions re-imagined radically – first by moving the passenger compartment farther back on the chassis – much as had been done for the mid-size car in 1968. The result was a longer nose and that same fast-sloping rear profile. Surprisingly, the exterior dimensions weren’t all that different from the previous years.

The top of the rear window line went almost straight down to the lip of the trunk lid. The 1970 design was initially characterized by a large C-pillar, though originally, the 1975 and later “wraparound” style window was supposed to be the design. However, problems with the glue and sealing of the rear window led to the flat style window being used.

The first year of this second generation Firebird now offered a wider array of model types, unlike before, where RPOs delineated the model differences. Now here was the base Coupe, the Firebird Esprit, the Firebird Formula, and the Trans Am.

The OHC I-6 was retired, and engine options were reduced. The base model Firebird came equipped with a 155 HP 250 CID I-6. The Firebird Esprit and the Firebird Formula came standard with the 255 HP 350 CID V-8. The Esprit could be upgraded to a two barrel carbureted 400 CID 265 HP V-8. The Formula could be optioned to receive the L78 4 barrel 400 CID 330 HP V-8 or the L74 Ram Air III 400 345 HP V-8.

There were two Ram Air 400 CID V-8s available for the 1970 Trans Am: the 335 HP L74 Ram Air III 400, and the 345 HP L67 Ram Air IV carried over from 1969. The Ram Air IV was exclusive to the Trans Am and could not be ordered on any of the lower Firebird models.

1970 Pontiac Firebird – Factoids

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For the first time Firebird came in 4 distinct models, Base, Esprit Formula 400 and Trans Am. Each with distinct interior and exterior trim – and engine choices as well. See the complete information on the models in the 1970 Pontiac Firebird Brochure HERE.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts Specifications Information Data

Design issues led to the new Firebird being available in coupe form only. It is said that this impacted sales – especially in the first few years that the new body style was offered. Convertibles would not return until 1989.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Models Offered

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Firebird – Series 223 – Standard on base Firebirds was a 155 HP 250 CID I-6 with the 350 CID V-8 optional. It featured E78-14 black fiberglass belted tires, front and rear bucket seats, door storage pockets, vinyl upholstery, wood-grained dashboard, carpeting, driver’s side outside rear-view mirror, manual front disc brakes, and 6.o” wide wheel rims. Styling included Endura rubber front fascia with dual recessed grilles, single headlights, split side marker lamps, and flush door handles. “Firebird” and engine type badges appeared behind front wheel cutouts.

Esprit – Series 224 – The Esprit was identified by “Esprit” in script on the rear roof pillar, bright roof rail and wheel opening moldings, V-8 displacement badges under front fender “Firebird” lettering and a bird emblem above the grille. Standard equipment included all found on base models plus 15/16″ front stabilizer bar, knit vinyl upholstery, upper level ventilation, vinyl covered Deluxe steering wheel, dual body-color outside sport mirrors, concealed windshield wipers and antenna, trunk floor mats, wheel trim rings, custom trim, decor moldings. A 350 CID 255 V-8 was standard. The standard transmission was a 3-speed manual with floor-mounted shift lever Automatic transmission was optional.

Formula 400 – Series 226 – Standard equipment on Formula 400s included all GM safety features, 1-1/8″ front and 5/8″ rear stabilizer bars, higher-rate springs, rear axle windup controls, F70 x 14 bias-belted blackwall tires, 7.0″ wide wheel rims, manual front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, carpeting, all-vinyl interiors, front and rear bucket seats, dual outside sport mirrors, concealed wipers and antenna, and a Deluxe steering wheel. Standard engine was a 400 CID four-barrel V-8 with 265 HP. Standard transmission was a 3-speed manual box with Hurst floor shift. External identification was distinguished by a long, twin hood scoop hood and “Formula 400” nameplates on the front fenders.

Trans Am – Series 228 – Trans Am had front air dam, front and rear spoilers, a shaker hood engine air intake, front fender side air extractors, rear spoiler, aerodynamically styled outside mirrors with left-hand remote control, front and rear stabilizer bars, heavy-duty shock absorbers and springs, engine-turned dash panel, Rally gauge cluster, concealed wipers, bucket seats, carpeting, all-vinyl upholstery, power brakes and steering, 15-inch diameter Rally rims and F60-15 white letter tires.

The standard V-8 was the 335 HP Ram Air engine with the Ram Air IV as optional. The base transmission was a wide-ratio four-speed manual gear box with Hurst floor shift. Externally, the Trans Am was white with blue trim and with full-length racing stripes.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Engines

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250 CID I-6 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves, Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 155 @ 4200 RPM.
Torque: 235 @ 1600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 34°, Lift 0.388″.
Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7040017; (automatic transmission) 7029166; with A/C 7040014.

350 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 8.8:1.
Horsepower: 255 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 355 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift: (intake) 0.376″; (exhaust) 0.412″.
Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7040071 (automatic transmission) 7040062.

400 CID 2-Barrel V-8 – Automatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 8.8:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 4397 @ 2400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift (intake) 0.376″; (exhaust) 0.412″.
Carburetor: Rochester two-barrel (automatic transmission) 7040060.

NOTE: Standard Esprit and Optional base Firebird. Not available on Formula or Trans Am.

400 CID 4-Barrel V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 330 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (manual transmission) 7040263; (automatic transmission) 7040264.

NOTE: Standard on Firebird Formula 400. Not available other models.

400 CID Firebird Ram Air V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63, Lift (intake) 0.414″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel (manual transmission) 7040273 (automatic transmission) 7040270.

NOTE: Standard on Trans Am. Optional Firebird Formula 400.

400 CID 4-Barrel Ram Air IV V-8 – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 400 CID.
Bore and stroke: 4.120″ x 3.750″.
Compression ratio: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 345 @ 5400 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3700 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 308°, Exhaust 320°, Overlap 76°, Lift (intake) 0.413″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel (manual transmission) 70240273; (automatic) 7040270.

NOTE: Optional Firebird Trans Am only.

NOTE 1: Except where cited, Torque is in lb. ft.

NOTE 2: More detailed information on the 1970 I-6 and 350 and 400 CID V-8 engines may be found in the Library’s 1970 Pontiac Firebird AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Chassis Features

- Wheelbase: 108.0 inches.
- Overall length: 191.6 inches.
- Overall width: 73.4 inches.
- Overall height: 50.4 inches.
- Front track: I-6: 61.3 inches; V-8: 61.6 inches; Trans Am: 61.7 inches.
- Rear track: I-6: 60.0 inches; V-8: 60.3 inches; Trans Am: 60.4 inches.
- Standard tires: Base and Esprit: E78 x 14; 400: F70 x 14; Trans Am: F60 x 15 (NOTE: 15 x 7 JJ rim mandatory with F60 x 15 tires).
- Optional tires: Base & Esprit: F70 x 14; 400: F60 x 15.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Powertrain Information

Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.95:1 (Column shift standard, floor shift optional).
- 350 CID V-8: 1st – 2.54:1, 2nd – 1.50:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.63:1 (Column Shift Only).
- 400 CID V-8: 1st – 2.41:1, 2nd – 1.59:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.41:1 (optional 350 V-8).
Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- I-6: 1st – 2.85:1, 2nd – 2.02:1, 3rd – 1.35:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.85:1.
- V-8 Wide Ratio: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.88:1, 3rd – 1.46:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.59:1.
- V-8 Close Ratio: 1st – 2.20:1, 2nd – 1.64:1, 3rd – 1.28:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.27:1 (Optional no extra charge. 391:1 & 4.33;1 rear gears required).
Automatic Transmission Ratios
- I-6 and 350 CID V-8: Low – 1.76:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 1.76:1.
- I-6 and 350 CID V-8: 1st – 2.52:1, 2nd – 1.52:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 1.92:1.
- 400 CID V-8: 1st – 2.48:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.08:1.
Rear Gear Ratios
- I-6: Manual transmission: 3.55:1; Optional 3.08:1; with A/C 3.23:1 (3.08:1 not available with 4-speed).
- I-6: Automatic transmission: 3.23:1; Optional 2.56:1; with A/C 3.23:1.
- I-6 Sprint: Manual transmission: 3.55:1; A/C not available.
- I-6 Sprint: Automatic transmission: 3.23:1; Optional 2.78:1, 3.55:1; A/C not available.
- 350 CID V-8: Manual transmission: 3.23:1; Optional 3.08:1; with A/C 3.23:1.
- 350 CID V-8: Automatic transmission: 2.56:1; Optional 2.93:1; with A/C 2.76:1.
- 350 CID HO V-8: Manual transmission: 3.36:1; with A/C 3.55:1.
- 350 CID HO V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.23:1; with A/C 3.55:1.
- 400 CID V-8: Manual transmission: 3.36:1; Optional 3.55:1; with A/C 3.23:1.
- 400 CID V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1; Optional 3.23; with A/C 2.78:1.
- 400 CID HO V-8: Manual transmission: 3.36:1; Optional 3.55:1; with A/C 3.23:1.
- 400 CID HO V-8: Automatic transmission: 3.08:1; Optional 3.55; with A/C 2.78:1.
- 400 CID Ram Air II & IV V-8: All transmissions: 3.90:1; A/C not available – Optional ratios – Dealer Installed.

NOTE: For more powertrain information, and for all standard/optional rear gear ratios the Pontiac Firebird AMA Specifications Sheets HERE.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Powertrain Options

- Firebird base – Three-speed manual transmission – column shift – standard.
- Firebird base – 155 HP I-6 engine standard.
- Two-speed automatic transmission optional on all I-6 and 350 CID V-8 Firebirds.
- Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission optional on all I-6 and 350 CID V-8 Firebirds.
- Turbo 400 three-speed automatic transmission optional on all 400 CID V-8s.
- Four-speed manual transmission optional on V-8 Firebirds.
- 255 HP 350 CID V-8 available on Firebird base and standard on Esprit models.
- 265 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird Esprit.
- 330 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird Formula 400 model.
- 335 HP Ram Air 400 CID V-8 optional on the Firebird Formula 400; standard on the Trans Am.
- 345 HP Ram Air IV 400 CID V-8 only available on the Trans Am.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Accessories

- Air Cleaner, dual stage.
- Air conditioning.
- Automatic transmission with 350 cubic inch V-8.
- Automatic transmission on I-6.
- Automatic transmission (Turbo-Hydramatlc) in Firebird 400 and 400 Ram Air only.
- Carpets.
- Cordova tops.
- Cruise control.
- Custom sports steering wheel.
- Deluxe steering wheel with ring.
- Electric clock.
- Four-speed manual transmission.
- Firebird console.
- Firebird base floor shift.
- Padded dash.
- Parking brake signal.
- Power antenna.
- Power brakes.
- Power convertible top.
- Power steering.
- Push button radio – AM/FM.
- Push button radio – AM.
- Rally Gage cluster.
- Rally I wheels.
- Rally II wheels.
- Remote control outside mirror.
- Ride & Handling package.
- Safeguard speedometer.
- Safe-T-Track positive traction rear.
- Stereo tape player.
- Tachometer.
- Tilt steering.
- Two-speed wipers and washers.
- Wheel discs, simulated wire.
- White wall tires.