“One of the world’s most advanced production turbos”
For 1984, Pontiac’s top-of-the-line Sunbird S/E gained a new turbocharged motor along with a minor front-end revision and clear fog lamps.
The S/E‘s new engine was an LA5 150 bhp 1.8 liter/110 ci inline four with a Garrett turbocharger and fuel injection. It was paired with a standard four-speed manual gearbox, with a three-speed automatic optional for $320. With the standard powertrain, Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 time in 8.3 seconds—class-competitive in 1984. Fuel economy ratings were 25 city/36 highway by the day’s standards (20/26 by today’s measures). The Sunbird’s 13.5-gallon gas tank meant that owners could expect a range of 280 to 370 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.
Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on the $9,489 S/E hatchback coupe (about $30,000 in 2025 dollars) included two-tone paint, power steering, power front disc/rear drum brakes, a WS6 performance suspension, special chassis tuning, and Goodyear Eagle GT P205/60R14 tires (a size now only marginally available) mounted on attractive 14-inch “hi-tech turbo” cast-aluminum wheels. Inside, fully adjustable reclining front seats, a folding split-back rear seat, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, rally gages, and a Delco-GM AM radio were included.
Options, Period Reviews, & Production Numbers
Exterior options included a power glass sunroof ($300) and a louvered rear sunshade ($199). Inside, custom air conditioning, electronic cruise control, and Lear Siegler bucket seats ($400) were available.
Reviews of the new turbocharged configuration were positive—Popular Mechanics called it a “150-hp screamer.” 1984 Sunbirds did sell well—almost 170,000, but more than 80% of them were the base coupes and sedans, not the LE or the S/E.
The View From 2025
Sunbirds of this generation (1982-1994) are now almost completely vanished from the nation’s roads, and models other than the convertibles rarely show up in the Hemming’s Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, or on Bring a Trailer.
Make mine Black over Silver Metallic, please.
I wrote about the last of the previous-generation Sunbirds here. Other J-platform cars I have covered this blog include the 1984 Buick Skyhawk coupe, the 1982 Cadillac Cimarron sedan, the 1988 Cadillac Cimarron sedan, the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 coupe, and the 1985 Oldsmobile Firenza ES sedan.
Last updated May 2025.
Eighties Cars 