1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1969 Pontiac Firebird
Design changes included flatter wheel openings, front fender wind splits. new rooflines and a creased lower beltline. The gas filler was moved behind the rear license plate and a more square split bumper grille was used. This look would be somewhat incorporated into the 1970 GTO. Headlamps were set into square body-colored Endura bezels.
The two body styles were sold, but subset into five different “models” created by Regular Production Orders (RPO) equipment in certain specific combinations. Production records were not kept according to the RPO packages, but rather by the number of I-6 and V-8 models built with standard or deluxe features.
The big news was the appearance of the Trans Am limited production model, introduced Mar. 8, 1969. Also, Because of the late introductions of all-new 1970 models, the 1969 Firebirds were carried over and sold as 1970 models until the new body style could be introduced.
1969 Pontiac Firebird – Factoids
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1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Models Offered
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1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts – RPO Packages
Firebird Sprint Package: Includes 3-speed manual transmission with floor shift, “OHC-6” emblems and four F70 x 14 tires (“Sprint” stripes were an option). Engine: 250 CID OHC-6 with 10.5:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 230 HP at 5400 RPM. Price is $121 over base model cost.
Firebird 350 Package: RPO Code 343. Engine Code L-30. Included three-speed manual transmission with column shift and F70 X 14 tires. Engine: 350 CID V-8 with 9.2:1 compression, Rochester two-barrel carburetor and 265 HP at 4600 RPM. Price: is $111 over base model cost.
Firebird 350 HO Package: RPO Code 344. Engine Code L-76. Included three-speed manual transmission with column shift, dual exhausts and heavy-duty battery. Engine: 350 CID V-8 with 10.5:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 325 HP at 5100 RPM. Price is $186 over base model cost.
Firebird 400 Package: RPO Code 345. Engine code W-S6. Includes chrome engine parts, dual exhausts, heavy-duty battery, three-speed manual transmission with floor shift. F70 x 14 red stripe or whitewall tires and variable pitch cooling fan. Engine: 400 CID V-8 with 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 330 HP at 4800 RPM. “400” hood used with non-functional scoops. Ride and handling package required. Price is $275-358 over base model cost depending on transmission selected.
Firebird 400 Ram Air II Package: RPO Code 348. Engine Code L-74. Same equipment as 400 Package, with the addition of a de-clutching fan and that the twin hood scoops are functional. Engine: Engine: Pontiac 400 CID V-8 with 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 335 horsepower at 5000 RPM. Price is $351-435 over base model cost depending on transmission selected.
Firebird 400 Ram Air IV Package: RPO Code 347. Engine Code L-67. Same equip ment inclusions as 400 RAM Air II package plus special hood scoop emblems. Engine: 400 CID V-8 with special camshaft and valve train, 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 345 HP at 5400 R.P.M. Price is $832 over base model cost. Specific 4-speed and automatic transmissions installed.
Firebird Trans Am Package: RPO Code 322 UPC WS-4. Engine Code L-74. Includes heavy-duty three-speed manual gear box with floor shifter, 3.55:1 rear axle, fiberglass-belted F70 x 14 tires, heavy-duty shocks and springs, one-inch stabilizer bar, power front disc brakes, variable ratio power steering, engine air exhaust louvers, rear deck air foil, black textured grille, full-length body stripes, white exterior finish, blue interior, leather covered steering wheel, and “Trans-Am” identification decals.
Trans Am base engine specifications: Engine: Pontiac 400 CID V-8 with 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 335 horsepower at 5000 RPM. Optional engine package: 400 CID V-8 with special camshaft and valve train, 10.75:1 compression, Rochester four-barrel carburetor and 345 HP at 5400 R.P.M. Specific 4-speed and automatic transmissions installed. Price for standard Trans Am: $725 over base model cost. Ram Air IV cost dependent on transmission selected – approximately $400 over base Trans Am cost.
1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Engines
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- 175 HP 250 CID I-6
- 230 HP 250 CID Sprint I-6 SMT
- 215 HP 250 CID Sprint I-6 AMT
- 350 CID V-8 265 HP
- 350 CID V-8 325 HP Manual Trans
- 350 CID V-8 325 HP Auto Trans
- 400 CID V-8 330 HP
- 400 CID HO V-8 335 HP Manual Trans
- 400 CID HO V-8 335 HP Auto Trans
- 400 CID Ram Air III V-8 Manual Trans
- 400 CID Ram Air III V-8 Auto Trans
- 400 CID Ram Air IV V-8
- NOTES
Tempest OHC I-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves, Overhead camshaft. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 175 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 240 @ 2600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 240°, Exhaust 240°, Overlap 28°, Lift 0.400″.
Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7029165; with A/C 7029167; (automatic) 7029166; with A/C 7029167.
Tempest Sprint OHC I-6 – Manual Transmissions: Overhead valves, Overhead camshaft.. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 230 @ 5400 RPM.
Torque: 260 @ 3600 RPM
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 260°, Exhaust 260°, Overlap 42°, Lift 0.438″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel model 7029261.
Tempest Sprint OHC I-6 – Automatic Transmissions: Overhead valves, Overhead camshaft.. Cast iron block. Seven main bearings.
Displacement: 250 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.525 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 215 @ 5200 RPM.
Torque: 255 @ 3800 RPM
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 244°, Exhaust 244°, Overlap 26°, Lift 0.438″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel model 7029260.
Firebird Base 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: 9.2:1.
Horsepower: 265 @ 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) 7028071 (automatic) 7029062.
Firebird HO V-8 – Manual Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 325 @ 5100 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.414″, (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet 4-barrel model 7029263.
Firebird HO V-8 – Automatic Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 CID.
Bore and stroke: 3.875″ x 3.75″
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 325 @ 5100 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″, (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadra-Jet 4-barrel model 7029062.
Firebird 400 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: 330 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3300 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) 7029263; (automatic transmission) 7029268.
Firebird 400 HO V-8 – Manual Transmission: 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: 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 709263.
Firebird 400 HO 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: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 335 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift (intake) 0.410″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 709268.
Optional Firebird Ram Air III V-8 – Manual Transmission: 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: 335 @ 5300 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 301°, Exhaust 313°, Overlap 76°, Lift (intake) 0.413″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7028273.
Optional Firebird Ram Air III 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: 10.75:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 5300 RPM.
Torque: 430 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake 288°, Exhaust 302°, Overlap 63°, Lift (intake) 0.414″; (exhaust) 0.413″.
Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7028270.
Optional Firebird 345 Horsepower Ram Air IV V-8: 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) 7029273; (automatic) 7029270.
NOTE 1: Except where cited, Torque is in lb. ft.
NOTE 2: Ram Air could be added to the 400 and 400 HO with no change in HP or torque ratings. Ram Air engines received the 7028273 (manual trans) Rochester carburetor and 7028270 (auto trans) Rochester carburetor.
NOTE 3: More detailed information on the 1969 I-6 and 350 and 400 CID V-8 engines may be found in the Library’s 1969 Pontiac Firebird AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE.
1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Chassis Features
- Wheelbase: 108.1 inches.
- Overall length: 191.1 inches
- Overall width: 73.9
- Front track: All: 60 inches.
- Rear track: All: 60 inches.
- Standard tires: Base Model: E70 x 14; Others: F70 x 14.
- Optional tires: 195R x 14
1969 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.
1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Power Train Options
- Firebird – Three-speed manual transmission – column shift – standard.
- Firebird – 175 HP OHC 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 Firebird 400, 400 HO, and 400 Ram Air
- Four-speed manual transmission optional on all Firebirds
- I-6: 2.85:1 1st gear.
- 350 CID HO V-8 and 400 V-8: 2.52:1 1st gear.
- 350 CID HO V-8 and 400 V-8: 2.20:1 1st gear. (special order)
- 215 HP OHC I-6 engine only available on the Firebird Sprint with automatic transmission.
- 230 HP OHC I-6 engine only available on the Firebird Sprint with manual transmission.
- 265 HP 350 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 350 model.
- 325 HP 350 CID V-8 only available on the HO 350 Firebird model.
- 330 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 model.
- 335 HP 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 HO model.
- 340 HP Ram Air II 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 Ram Air model. Air Conditioning not allowed.
- 345 HP Ram Air IV 400 CID V-8 only available on the Firebird 400 Ram Air model. Air Conditioning not allowed.
1969 Pontiac Firebird Facts – Accessories
- Air Cleaner, dual stage
- Air-conditioner. Not available with manual transmission models or any Ram Air.
- Automatic transmission with 326 cubic inch V-8
- Automatic transmission with any OHC-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
- 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
