Pontiac 301 Turbo

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The Pontiac 301 Turbo was an engine that Pontiac put in 1980 and 1981 Trans Ams and Formula Firebirds. It was a V8 engine that produced a mild 210 hp (157 kW) in 1980 and 205 hp (153 kW) in 1981.

This motor, equipped with an automatic transmission, was used in a 1980 Trans Am for the film "Smokey and the Bandit II". Although it did not have as much power as the traditional Pontiac big-block counterparts, the Turbo Trans Ams did have a 4 barrel Quadrajet carburetor. The 301 Turbo was unique in that it had a beefier block than the 77-79 versions (which carried on in the non-turbo versions in 1980 and 1981), a mild camshaft with .350-inch lift and 250 degrees gross duration, a 70 psi oil pump to ensure adequate oil to the oil-cooled Garrett TBO-305 Turbocharger, a rolled fillet crankshaft, a fully baffled oil pan, and a specific 800 cfm Quadrajet carburetor. This 800 cfm Quadrajet had super rich "DX" secondary metering rods and a remote vacuum source for the primary metering rod enrichment circuit that allowed the "PEVR", Power Enrichment Vacuum Regulator to release the primary metering rods to move to the up position (enrichment) anytime during boosted conditions. This was to ensure that there was enough fuel to cool the cast offset dished pistons. Boost was wastegate limited to 9 psi, although spec was 8-10 psi. The 301 Turbo package mandated air conditioning, automatic THM350 non-lockup transmission and 3.08 gears.