When Pontiac released the third-generation Firebird in 1982, many enthusiasts felt underwhelmed by the performance. As a result of tightening emissions restrictions, the top-trim 305ci V8 engine in the '82 Trans Am produced only 165 horsepower. These numbers would improve by the end of the third gen's run in 1992, but there was always a desire for an even more potent Firebird — one that could challenge GM's flagship Corvette. A startup called Street Legal Performance (SLP) partnered with Pontiac dealers to make this dream a reality. The resulting car was dubbed the SLP Firehawk, and only 25 were sold that year, making it an extremely rare vehicle today.
Photos by Dick Kelley, courtesy of Car and Driver
The 1992 SLP Firehawk
SLP was founded by a man who was no stranger to the automotive industry, Ed Hamburger. A former drag racer and the creator of Hamburger's Oil Pans, Ed decided to start a turn-key custom car shop to build high-performance GM vehicles. While Pontiac couldn't officially sanction a project that would challenge the supremacy of the Corvette, local dealers were free to make their own agreements with SLP to offer the Firehawk package as a dealer option, so that's exactly what they did.
The Firehawk was SLP's first complete vehicle, based on the Firebird Formula. However, its engine was replaced with a fuel-injected L98 350ci V8 built by GM's Parts Division to SLP's specs. This included a forged crank, forged rods, and lightweight pistons, as well as cylinder heads ported by SLP and installed by GM. SLP also installed a special intake and exhaust, bringing the Firehawk to 350 hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque.
Above: Car and Driver tested the Firehawk development mule in 1991. Several aspects, such as the intake manifold, would be revised for the final production cars.
Clearly catering to hardcore driving enthusiasts, SLP paired this engine with a 6-speed ZF manual transmission from the C4 Corvette, fitted with a carbon fiber clutch. The rear axle was a Dana 44 with 3.54 gears and Positraction.
There was also an optional Competition Package, which added cross-drilled 13-inch Brembo disc brakes — the same spec found on the legendary Ferrari F40 — as well as a roll cage, lightweight aluminum hood, and Recaro racing seats with Simpson harnesses.
At first, the only color offered by SLP was red, but the company eventually accepted a few orders for other colors. These included aqua, white, blue, and green (each was one-of-a-kind).
Above: Hot Rod magazine told the story of this one-of-one Dark Green 1992 Firehawk.
MSRP for the Firehawk ranged from roughly $40,000 to $50,000, depending on the options selected. This was about double the price of a Trans Am GTA — a substantial price for equally substantial performance.
Above: This distinctive R15 five-spoke wheel design originally appeared on the Firehawk, but soon became a popular upgrade for third-gen Camaro and Firebird owners. We currently offer OER reproductions of the R15 wheel.
SLP planned to build 250 Firehawks in 1992, but the relatively high price and economic conditions caused them to take only 27 orders and actually build just 25 cars. Still, despite its rarity, the SLP Firehawk showed the world the true capabilities of the third-gen F-body platform. With a 0-60 of 4.9 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 13.4 seconds according to Motor Trend, it easily outperformed the standard C4 Corvette ($35,000 MSRP) and nearly matched the high-performance Corvette ZR-1 ($72,000 MSRP).
SLP would also continue to offer the Firehawk package for fourth-gen 1993-02 Pontiac F-body cars, like the 2000 model pictured above. Click here to read about the fourth-gen SLP Firehawk.
Check out the video above for a more detailed look at the 1992 SLP Firehawk's history.
If you're interested in learning the story of another weird and wonderful modified third-gen Pontiac, check out our previous article on the twin-turbo, 200mph-capable Pontiac Tojan.
Looking for Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am Parts?
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