Engineering:GM F platform
First Generation, 1967–1969
| First Generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1966–1970 |
| Assembly | Lordstown, Ohio, United States (1967–1969) Van Nuys, California, United States (1968–1969) Norwood, Ohio, United States Biel, Switzerland |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Pony car Muscle car Sports car (S) Grand tourer |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
| Related | GM X platform GM V platform GM A platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) | 230 cu in (3.8 L) L26 I6 250 cu in (4.1 L) L22 I6 283 cu in (4.6 L) small-block V8 302 cu in (4.9 L) Z28 V8 (Z/28) 307 cu in (5.0 L) L14 V8 327 cu in (5.4 L) LF7/L30 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) LM1/L65 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) L48 V8 (SS350) 396 cu in (6.5 L) L34/L78/L89 V8 (SS396) 427 cu in (7.0 L) L72/ZL1 V8 (COPO) 230 cu in (3.8 L) Pontiac SOHC I6 250 cu in (4.1 L) Pontiac SOHC I6 326 cu in (5.3 L) Pontiac V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Pontiac V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Pontiac V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 2-speed or 3-speed automatic 3-speed or 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108 in (2,743 mm) |
The first F-body cars were produced in 1966 for the 1967 model year, as GM's response to the Ford Mustang. Originally designed strictly as the platform for the Camaro, Pontiac engineers were given a short amount of time prior to the Camaro's release to produce a version that matched their corporate styling as well. The F-Body was available as both a hardtop coupe and a cloth-top convertible. As was GM policy at the time, Chevrolet and Pontiac both installed their own engines; however, the engine lineups were similar. Both cars could be had with either division's base inline six-cylinder engine, a V8 engine of approximately 5.3 liters (327 cu in for Chevrolet, 326 cu in for Pontiac), or a larger V8 engine of approximately 6.6 liters (396 cu in for Chevrolet, 400 cu in for Pontiac). Due to delays with the design of the second-generation car, the 1969 models were produced longer than usual.
Second Generation, 1970–1981
| Second Generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1970–1981 |
| Assembly | Van Nuys, California Norwood, Ohio Antimano, Caracas |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Pony car Muscle car Sports car (S) Grand tourer |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé |
| Related | GM X platform GM V platform GM K platform GM A platform GM G platform GM H platform GM T platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) | 229 cu in (3.8 L) Chevrolet 90-degree V6 230 cu in (3.8 L) Straight-6 I6 231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6 250 cu in (4.1 L) Chevrolet I6 265 cu in (4.3 L) Pontiac V8 301 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac V8 301 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac turbo V8 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet LG3 V8 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet LG4 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Buick V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Oldsmobile V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) L65 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) LT-1 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) L82 V8 396 cu in (6.5 L) L78 V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Small-block V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Chevrolet V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Pontiac V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) Pontiac V8 403 cu in (6.6 L) Oldsmobile V8 455 cu in (7.5 L) Pontiac V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 2-speed or 3-speed automatic 3-speed or 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108.2 in (2,748 mm) |
The second generation F-body cars were actually released in February 1970, due to extensive delays in the design and production of the new body style. Both cars grew considerably, with fairly drastic changes in styling to match each brand's updated styling across the lineup. Only Pontiac received engine options in the 7.5 L range in the earlier years of the second generation - (454 cu in for Chevrolet is in technical manuals, but was never produced), 455 cu in for Pontiac. However, this engine option would be discontinued as emissions and fuel-economy restrictions made their production costs prohibitive. Performance continued to decline through 1981, as power levels dropped and weight increased.
Third Generation, 1982–1992
| Third Generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1982–1992 |
| Assembly | Van Nuys, California Norwood, Ohio |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Pony car Muscle car Sports car (S) Grand tourer |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
| Related | GM V platform GM G platform GM B platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) | 151 cu in (2.5 L) I4 173 cu in (2.8 L) V6 191 cu in (3.1 L) V6 231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick Turbo V6 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Chevrolet V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed automatic THM 200C 4-speed automatic THM 700R4 4-speed manual 5-speed manual Borg Warner T5 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 101.1 in (2,568 mm) |
The third generation of the F-Body was introduced for 1982, as a major redesign with a more modern look and a lighter, better-handling car. In a move that would later happen across almost all GM models, the Firebird switched from Pontiac-designed engines to the same Chevrolet engines that powered the Camaro. This was also the first generation of F-Body to be available with a four-cylinder, the Iron Duke. The last Firebird to be built with an engine not available in the Camaro was the 1989 Turbo Trans Am, which had a turbocharged 3.8 L Buick V6, derived from the Buick Regal.
Fourth Generation, 1993–2002
| Fourth Generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1993–2002 |
| Assembly | Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Pony car Muscle car Sports car (S) Grand tourer |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
| Related | GM V platform GM B platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine(s) |
|
| Transmission(s) | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 101.1 in (2,568 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | GM Zeta platform (for the Chevrolet Camaro) |
The fourth and final generation of F-body was released in 1993. It was an extensive revision to the third generation car, instead of a clean-sheet design. It was produced until the platform was canceled at the end of the 2002 model year. Unlike most of the years past, the engine choices were simplified considerably; each year, on both the Camaro and the Firebird, there was only one V6 and one V8 available. For 1993 to 1995, the V6 was the 3.4 L (208 cu in) 60°; 1996–2002 cars received the 3.8L (231 cu in) 3800 Series II V6. 1993–1997 V8 cars shipped with the 5.7L (350 cu in) LT1, while 1998–2002 cars received the 5.7L (346 cu in) LS1. Both engines were available with the 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission. V6 engines with a manual transmission had a five-speed unit; the manual for V8 cars was the T-56 six-speed, manufactured by either Borg-Warner or Tremec. An optional Hurst-supplied shifter was also available on V8 models.
The fifth-generation Camaro was released in 2010 (after a seven-year layoff) as a 2010 model, using the Zeta chassis, with a VIN code of "F". According to GM, and contrary to rumors of a Firebird companion, no accompanying Pontiac model was planned before the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand in 2009.[1] The sixth generation of the Camaro utilizes the GM Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac ATS and CTS.
References
External links
- GM F Body (Camaro/Firebird) Community at FBodyForum.net
- List of GM VIN codes
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