FACTORY REFERENCE · YEAR-SPECIFIC SPECS
Factory Reference
The numbers you actually need in the garage—kept tied to the exact year, engine and test condition instead of treating every fourth-gen as identical.
1993–2002 Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am V8. Match the model year, engine and test condition before using a specification.
Factory-reference material is organized here so year, engine, and topic are easier to keep straight.
Looking for reference pages by year or engine?
Use the Factory Reference Center to jump into the published LT1 and LS1 reference material without mixing model-year coverage.
Open Factory Reference Center →Published year references on this page: LT1 / LS1 · 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Use the year-specific material shown on the page rather than assuming every item applies across the full engine generation.
BEFORE YOU USE A NUMBER
Use the value for the exact model year, engine and condition shown. Similar-looking LT1 and LS1 cars can use different specifications.
Jump to Your Year
PICK THE EXACT YEAR
Each year is kept in its own section. If a specification is shown under 2001, use it as 2001 information unless the note explicitly says it applies to another year.
LT1 Reference1993–1997 LT1-specific reference material.LS1 Reference by YearChoose 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002 first.4L60-E IdentificationIdentify the transmission and production changes before ordering internal parts.LS1 Spark PlugsPlug torque and application notes.
1993 — LT1
1993 LT1 — 5.7L VIN P
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel octane | 91 AKI or higher recommended | Premium unleaded, 91 AKI or higher, is recommended for best performance on the 5.7L Code P engine. Middle-grade or regular unleaded may be used, but acceleration may be reduced. |
| Fuel tank | 15.5 US gal / 58.7 L | 1993 Firebird owner-manual capacity. |
| Spark plugs / gap | AC R45LTSP / 0.050 in (1.27 mm) | 1993 5.7L VIN P maintenance listing. |
| Wheel lug nuts | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 1993 service specification. |
| Rear axle filler plug | 26 lb-ft / 35 N·m | 1993 service specification. |
| Fuel rail attaching bolts | 15 lb-ft / 20 N·m | 1993 LT1 fuel-system torque specification. |
| Fuel pressure regulator | 84 lb-in / 9.5 N·m | 1993 LT1 fuel-system torque specification. |
| Throttle body attaching bolts | 11 lb-ft / 15 N·m | 1993 LT1 fuel/air-induction torque specification. |
1993 LT1 restricted-exhaust test and year-specific backpressure limits
1993 Fluids & Capacities
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 4.5 qt / 4.3 L | 5.7L VIN P. Recheck the dipstick after filling. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 15.1 qt / 14.3 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| Cooling system — T56 manual | 15.3 qt / 14.5 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| 4L60 drain & refill | 10.0 pt / 4.7 L | Drain-and-refill amount; final level still controls. |
| 4L60 overhaul — 5.7L | 22.4 pt / 10.6 L | Overhaul capacity, not a normal pan service. |
| T56 six-speed | 8.0 pt / 3.8 L | Drain/refill and overhaul listing. |
| A/C refrigerant | 2.0 lb / 0.91 kg | Factory R-134a system; specified full charge after recovery and evacuation. Do not treat this as a 2.0-lb top-off amount. |
1994 — LT1
1994 LT1 — Cooling Fan Calibration
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Fan 1 ON / OFF | 226°F / 221°F 108°C / 105°C | 1994 LT1 factory diagnostic chart. |
| Fan 2 ON / OFF | 235°F / 230°F 113°C / 110°C | 1994 LT1 factory diagnostic chart. A/C operation and other control conditions can also command fan operation. |
1995 — LT1
1995 LT1 — 5.7L VIN P
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pressure | 41–47 psi | 1995 LT1 factory diagnostic value with ignition ON. Use it for the 1995 application shown here. |
| Cooling fan — low ON | 226°F / 108°C | 1995 LT1 factory control value. |
| Cooling fan — low OFF | 221°F / 105°C | 1995 LT1 factory control value. |
| Cooling fan — high ON | 235°F / 113°C | 1995 LT1 factory control value. |
| Cooling fan — high OFF | 230°F / 110°C | 1995 LT1 factory control value. |
| Loaded spark test | ST-125-type tester ≥25,000 V required to fire | Factory ignition diagnostic test. This is a tester requirement, not a claim that normal plug firing voltage is always 25 kV. |
1995 LT1 — Useful Service Torques
| Fastener | Torque | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs | 15 lb-ft / 20 N·m | 1995 LT1 engine assembly service information. |
| Oil drain plug | 15 lb-ft / 20 N·m | 1995 LT1 engine assembly service information. |
| Torque arm to rear axle — bolts | 96 lb-ft | 1995 rear-suspension fastener specification; related nuts are separately specified at 97 lb-ft. |
| Wheel lug nuts | 100 lb-ft | 1995 rear-suspension specification. |
WHY THE YEAR MATTERS
The fan calibration is a good example: 1995 high-speed ON/OFF is 235°F/230°F, while the 1996 service information lists 234°F/229°F. They are close enough to be casually treated as “the same” on the internet—but FPV keeps the factory year-specific values separate.
1995 Fluids & Capacities
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | 5.7L VIN P. Recheck level after filling. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 15.1 qt / 14.3 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| Cooling system — T56 manual | 15.3 qt / 14.5 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 10.0 pt / 4.7 L | Normal service refill. |
| 4L60-E overhaul — 5.7L | 21.6 pt / 10.2 L | Overhaul capacity. |
| T56 six-speed | 8.0 pt / 3.8 L | Approximate; set final level by the fill/check procedure. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 3.5 pt / 1.7 L | Approximate; fill level controls. |
| Fuel tank | 15.5 gal / 58.7 L | Approximate owner-manual capacity. |
1996 — LT1
1996 LT1 — 5.7L VIN P
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pressure | 41–47 psi 284–325 kPa | Ignition ON with fuel pump running. At idle, manifold vacuum lowers regulated pressure below the KOEO reading. |
| Cooling fan — low ON / OFF | 226°F / 221°F 108°C / 105°C | 1996 LT1 factory diagnostic information. |
| Cooling fan — high ON / OFF | 234°F / 229°F 112°C / 109°C | 1996 LT1 factory diagnostic information. Note the one-degree-Fahrenheit difference from the 1995 calibration. |
| Optispark low-resolution signal | 4 pulses / crank revolution | 1996 service information. Circuit toggles approximately 0–5 V as the distributor turns. |
| Optispark high-resolution signal | 180 pulses / crank revolution | 1996 service information. Use the 1996 OBD-II diagnostic strategy when interpreting missing-pulse faults. |
| DVOM input impedance for PCM circuits | ≥10 MΩ | GM specifies a digital voltmeter with at least 10-megohm input impedance for accurate PCM/sensor-circuit measurements. |
1996 Fluids & Capacities
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | 5.7L VIN P. Recheck level after filling. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 15.1 qt / 14.3 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| Cooling system — T56 manual | 15.3 qt / 14.5 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 10.0 pt / 4.7 L | Normal service refill. |
| 4L60-E overhaul — 5.7L | 21.6 pt / 10.2 L | Overhaul capacity. |
| T56 six-speed | 8.0 pt / 3.8 L | Approximate; set final level by the fill/check procedure. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 3.5 pt / 1.7 L | Approximate; fill level controls. |
| Fuel tank | 15.5 gal / 58.7 L | Approximate owner-manual capacity. |
| Wheel lug nuts | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 1996 owner-manual specification. |
1997 — LT1
1997 LT1
1997 Fluids & Capacities
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | 5.7L VIN P. Recheck level after filling. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 15.1 qt / 14.3 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| Cooling system — T56 manual | 15.3 qt / 14.5 L | 5.7L VIN P; approximate capacity. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 10.0 pt / 4.7 L | Normal service refill. |
| 4L60-E overhaul — 5.7L | 21.6 pt / 10.2 L | Overhaul capacity. |
| T56 six-speed | 8.0 pt / 3.8 L | Approximate; set final level by the fill/check procedure. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 3.5 pt / 1.7 L | Approximate; fill level controls. |
| Fuel tank | 15.5 gal / 58.7 L | Approximate owner-manual capacity. |
| Wheel lug nuts | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 1997 owner-manual specification. |
1998 — LS1
1998 LS1 — 5.7L VIN G
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pressure | 55–60 psi 380–410 kPa | Ignition ON / engine OFF at the pressure test connection. The LS1 regulator is part of the sender assembly and is not manifold-vacuum referenced. |
LT1 VS. LS1 FUEL PRESSURE
Do not carry the LT1's 41–47 psi number into a 1998 LS1. The 1998 LS1 factory description specifies 55–60 psi KOEO and explains that injector pulse width is compensated in software because the regulator is not referenced to manifold vacuum. This is a genuine platform/year break, not a rounding difference.
1998 LS1 — Owner-Manual Capacities
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.5 qt / 5.2 L | 5.7L VIN G owner-manual approximate capacity; recheck dipstick after filling. |
| Cooling system — M6 | 15.3 qt / 14.5 L | 1998 5.7L V8 with manual transmission. This differs substantially from later LS1 owner-manual capacity figures, so FPV keeps it year-specific. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 15.1 qt / 14.3 L | 1998 5.7L V8 with automatic transmission. |
| T56 six-speed | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L | Approximate capacity; final level is established by the service fill/check procedure. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | Drain-and-refill figure, not dry/overhaul fill. |
| 4L60-E overhaul — 5.7L | 10.8 qt / 10.2 L | Owner-manual overhaul figure. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 1.75 qt / 1.7 L | Approximate capacity; fill-level procedure controls. |
| Fuel tank | 15.5 US gal / 58.7 L | 1998 owner-manual approximate capacity. Do not substitute later 16.5/16.8-gallon figures. |
1998 LS1 CAPACITIES DIFFER BY SOURCE/CONDITION
The 1998 Firebird owner's manual lists 15.3/15.1 qt for the LS1 cooling system and a 15.5-gallon fuel tank, while later manuals list different capacities. Whether the difference comes from production changes or how GM defined the published service capacity, FPV reports the exact year's manual rather than “correcting” it to a later number.
1999 — LS1
1999 LS1 — Owner-Manual Reference
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.5 qt / 5.2 L | 1999 5.7L V8 owner-manual capacity. |
| Cooling system — M6 | 11.9 qt / 11.3 L | 1999 5.7L V8 with manual transmission. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 11.8 qt / 11.2 L | 1999 5.7L V8 with automatic transmission. |
| T56 six-speed | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L | Approximate capacity; final fill level controls. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | Drain-and-refill figure, not dry/overhaul fill. |
| 4L60-E overhaul — 5.7L | 10.8 qt / 10.2 L | 1999 owner-manual overhaul figure. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 1.75 qt / 1.7 L | Approximate capacity; fill-level procedure controls. |
| Fuel tank | 16.8 US gal / 63.6 L | 1999 owner-manual approximate capacity. |
| Wheel nut torque | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 1999 owner-manual specification. |
| Thermostat starts to open | 177–184°F / 81–85°C | 1999 owner-manual engine specification. This is thermostat opening temperature—not PCM fan command temperature. |
| 5.7L firing order | 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 | 1999 owner-manual engine specification. |
FILL TO THE CORRECT LEVEL
Pontiac lists these capacities as approximate. Refill to the specified service level and recheck after filling rather than treating the listed capacity as an exact amount to pour in.
2000 — LS1
2000 LS1 — Owner-Manual Reference
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.5 qt / 5.2 L | 5.7L V8 owner-manual approximate capacity. Recheck level after filling. |
| Cooling system — M6 | 11.9 qt / 11.3 L | 5.7L V8 with manual transmission. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 11.8 qt / 11.2 L | 5.7L V8 with automatic transmission. |
| T56 six-speed | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity. Service information specifies DEXRON-III ATF for the Camaro/Firebird manual transmission of this period; fill level remains the controlling service check. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 1.75 qt / 1.7 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity; use the specified fill-level procedure rather than blindly installing the listed volume. |
| Fuel tank | 16.8 US gal / 63.6 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity. |
| Wheel nut torque | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 2000 Pontiac owner-manual specification. |
| Thermostat specification | 180°F / 82°C | 5.7L V8 thermostat temperature specification from the 2000 owner manual. This is the thermostat specification, not the PCM cooling-fan command temperature. |
DON'T POUR IN A CAPACITY BLINDLY
GM labels these capacities approximate. On components checked at a fill plug or dipstick, the specified level/check procedure controls the final fill. This is especially important after a partial drain, because the amount removed may be less than the listed total capacity.
2001 — LS1
2001 LS1 — Spark Plug Reference
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Factory-listed spark plug | Denso PTJ16R15 | 5.7L V8 listing in the 2001 Pontiac Firebird owner's manual. |
| Spark plug gap | 0.060 in / 1.52 mm | 2001 5.7L V8 owner-manual specification. Keep this year-specific; replacement plug technology and later service information can change what is supplied or recommended. |
2001 LS1 — Expanded Owner-Manual Reference
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil with filter | 5.5 qt / 5.2 L | 5.7L V8 approximate capacity. |
| Cooling system — M6 | 11.9 qt / 11.3 L | 5.7L V8 with manual transmission. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 11.8 qt / 11.2 L | 5.7L V8 with automatic transmission. |
| T56 six-speed | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L | Approximate capacity; final service level controls. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | Drain-and-refill figure. |
| 4L60-E overhaul — 5.7L | 10.8 qt / 10.2 L | Owner-manual overhaul figure. |
| Rear axle lubricant | 1.75 qt / 1.7 L | Approximate capacity; fill-level procedure controls. |
| Fuel tank | 16.5 US gal / 63 L | 2001 owner-manual approximate capacity. |
| Wheel nut torque | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 2001 owner-manual specification. |
2001 4L60-E — CHECK WHICH VERSION YOU HAVE
Reaction shell: GM Bulletin 02-07-30-003 documents a during-2001 change from a thrust-washer to thrust-bearing architecture with related component changes. Do not mix the old/new component families, and do not infer the parts currently inside the transmission from vehicle model year alone after prior transmission service.
Valve body / spacer plate: GM Bulletin 01-07-30-012 documents a separate revised-production change after Julian 1002. The matching spacer plate and gaskets stay together; this breakpoint must not be reused as the reaction-shell breakpoint.
Valve body / spacer plate: GM Bulletin 01-07-30-012 documents a separate revised-production change after Julian 1002. The matching spacer plate and gaskets stay together; this breakpoint must not be reused as the reaction-shell breakpoint.
2002 — LS1
2002 LS1 — 5.7L VIN G
2002 LS1 fuel-pressure diagnosis →
| Item | Specification | Condition / note |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pressure | 55–60 psi 380–410 kPa | Ignition ON, engine OFF, fuel pump commanded ON. Use the exact service procedure when diagnosing retention or low pressure. |
| Cooling fan — low | ON approx. 226°F / 108°C | 2002 LS1 PCM command threshold; A/C pressure and certain DTC strategies can also command the fans. |
| Cooling fan — high | ON approx. 234°F / 112°C | Both fans are involved; low speed uses series operation and high speed uses parallel operation through the three-relay circuit. |
| Engine oil with filter | 5.5 qt / 5.2 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity. Recheck level after filling. |
| Cooling system — M6 | 11.9 qt / 11.3 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity. |
| Cooling system — automatic | 11.8 qt / 11.2 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity. |
| T56 manual transmission | 4.0 qt / 3.8 L | Owner-manual approximate capacity. |
| 4L60-E drain & refill | 5.0 qt / 4.7 L | Drain-and-refill figure, not dry/overhaul fill. |
| 4L60-E overhaul | 10.8 qt / 10.2 L | 5.7L V8 owner-manual overhaul figure. |
| Fuel tank | 16.8 US gal / 63 L | Approximate capacity. |
| Wheel nut torque | 100 lb-ft / 140 N·m | 2002 owner-manual specification. |
2002 LS1 — Common Engine Service Torques
| Fastener | Torque / procedure | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plug — new cylinder head | 22 lb-ft / 30 N·m | GM unit-repair specification for initial installation into a new cylinder head. |
| Spark plug — subsequent installation | 11 lb-ft / 15 N·m | Do not collapse the two GM spark-plug specifications into one generic torque value. |
| Oil pan drain plug | 18 lb-ft / 25 N·m | 2002 5.7L engine unit-repair specification. |
| Water pump bolts | 33 lb-ft / 45 N·m | 2002 5.7L engine unit-repair specification. |
| Knock sensor | 15 lb-ft / 20 N·m | 2002 5.7L engine unit-repair specification. |
| Valve rocker arm cover bolts | 106 lb-in / 12 N·m | Note the unit: lb-in, not lb-ft. |
| Oil pump to rear crankshaft bearing cap | 15 lb-ft / 20 N·m + 65° | Torque-plus-angle procedure. FPV intentionally does not convert this into a single invented torque number. |
TORQUE PROCEDURES MATTER
The 2002 LS1 spark-plug specification is a good example of why a one-number internet chart can be misleading: GM specifies 30 N·m / 22 lb-ft for initial installation into a new cylinder head, but 15 N·m / 11 lb-ft for subsequent installations. FPV keeps the condition attached to the number.
2002 LS1 — Maintenance Parts & A/C Reference
| Item | Factory-listed reference | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plug | ACDelco 41-974 0.060 in gap | 2002 Pontiac owner's-manual maintenance listing. This documents what the manual specified then; current service replacement part numbers may supersede it. |
| Engine oil filter | ACDelco PF44 | 2002 5.7L V8 owner-manual listing; replacement catalogs may show superseding filters. |
| Fuel filter | ACDelco GF578 | 2002 5.7L V8 owner-manual listing; verify current supersession when purchasing. |
| A/C refrigerant | R-134a 1.5 lb / 0.68 kg | 2002 owner-manual capacity. Refrigerant service requires the proper recovery/charging equipment and procedure. |
2002 Key-Off Battery Draw
DO NOT USE A BLANKET “50 mA” RULE
The 2002 F-body factory parasitic-load procedure determines the allowable current in milliamps by dividing the battery's reserve-capacity rating by 4. Example: a 100-minute RC battery gives a 25 mA allowable draw under that procedure. The vehicle must be allowed to power down according to the service procedure before judging the reading.
REFERENCE ≠ DIAGNOSIS
A specification tells you what a tested system should do under defined conditions. It does not identify which component failed. Use the linked FPV diagnostic procedure when a measured value is out of range.
Transmission / Clutch Bulletins That Span Multiple Years
These items span more than one model year. Use the application range in each card rather than the bulletin publication date.
P1870 — LATEST listed REVISION
GM Bulletin 01-07-30-023B (March 2002) applies to affected 1996–2000 Camaro/Firebird M30 units built before Jan. 15, 2000 / Julian 0015. It describes TCC isolator/regulator valve-body bore wear, notes the complaint may be difficult to duplicate below about 200°F TFT, and explains Type-B first-failure behavior that can command maximum line pressure before a history P1870 is stored.
CLUTCH HYDRAULICS — USE LATEST APPLICABLE BLEED PROCEDURE
GM Bulletin 01-07-31-002B supersedes 002A and documents an improved hydraulic-clutch bleeding procedure intended to reduce unnecessary parts replacement. A low pedal reserve or high shift effort is not automatic authorization for clutch, master/slave or transmission replacement.
T56 — IDENTIFY THE ACTUAL UNIT
Don't use a single 1998–2002 1386-000-017/020 decoder for every car. Match the actual transmission ID, build information and application before ordering assembly-level or internal parts; ratios and spline counts alone do not prove interchange.
Related Guides
LS1 Fuel Pressure Diagnosis →
LS1 Cooling Fan Diagnosis →
LT1 Optispark Diagnosis →
LT1 Crank/No-Start →
Factory and owner-manual specifications are kept with the model year and test condition they apply to. Neighboring years are not assumed to use the same value.
// LS1 REFERENCE
LS1 Reference by Year
Choose 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002 first so year-specific information stays together.
// LS1 SERVICE DATA
LS1 Spark Plug Torque
Year/application-specific plug torque and service-replacement gap notes.