Pontiac 301 Turbo
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
Overhead valve | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | 301.6 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac 301 |
The Pontiac 301 Turbo is an engine that
Design
The 301 Turbo was unique in that it had a stronger block with thicker cylinder walls made from reinforced materials compared to the '77-'81 301
The M4ME (E4ME for 1981) 800 cfm Rochester Quadrajet, unique to the 301 Turbo, had super rich "DX" secondary metering rods and a remote vacuum source for the primary metering rod enrichment circuit; the "PEVR" or Power Enrichment Valve Regulator. Boost was regulated by a wastegate, and was delivered to dealerships with a standard factory limit set to 9 psi (+/- 1 psi), although measured real-world factory default settings ranged from around 7 to 10 psi. The wastegate could be safely user-adjusted to 15 psi by adding alcohol or water injection, or even higher with heavier modifications.[2]
The 301 Turbo package (RPO code LU8) required factory air conditioning (C60) due to a turbo-specific heater core box, and featured automatic transmissions (TH350 (non-lockup) for 1980, and THM350C (lock-up) for 1981) with a 3.08 positraction limited-slip differential rear axle ratio (G80).
Because the engine still used a carburetor instead of fuel injection, it could not take full advantage of the forced air through the turbocharger. The low-octane fuels used in the early 1980s could have caused severe detonation under boost, had it not been for the ESC.[3][4]
See also
References
- ^ Hogg, Tony (ed.). "R&T Specifications 1981". Road & Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1981 (January-February 1981): 130.
- ^ "1980-1981 4.9 Turbo Trans Am-Slacker or Misunderstood Underdog?".
- ^ "1980-1981 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo 4.9L V8 - It's Better Than You Think". Old Car Memories. January 31, 2018.
- ^ "1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am". www.2gta.com.