Date of Introduction
March 20, 1978
Discontinued September 1980. Produced for about 19 months
Model Line Up
Sunbird hatch: (8UH77)
Sunbird 4 door sedan: (8UH69)
Torana S 4 door sedan: (8UG69)
Option Packages
Holden Sunbird SL: (V5V)
Holden Sunbird SL/E: (A8J)
Holden Sunbird Fashion Pack: (A8T)
Torana SL: (A9H)
Torana SL DeLuxe Pack: (A9H & V5W)
Holden Sunbird DeLuxe: (V7A) 1 250 built
Prices at Time of Introduction
Sunbird hatch: $5 925
Sunbird 4 door sedan: $5 575
Torana S 4 door sedan: $5 961
Holden Sunbird SL hatch: $6 305
Holden Sunbird SL 4 door sedan: $5 955
Holden Sunbird SL/E hatch: $6 455
Holden Sunbird SL/E 4 door sedan: $6 132
Torana SL hatch: $7 000
Torana SL 4 door sedan: $6 650
Torana SL DeLuxe Pack hatch: $7 370
Torana SL DeLuxe Pack 4 door sedan: $7 020
Holden Sunbird DeLuxe 4 door sedan: $5 971
Total Number Built
53 008
Identification Information
Smother, rounder shape with squarer headlights
Engines
1900 Opel (1897 cc)
Option Number: L16
Engine Prefix: 19S (& Y Prefix)
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 1.897 litres
Number of Cylinders: Four
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head Design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Solex two-barrel downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke: 93.0mm x 69.8mm
Power: 72 kW (96bhp) at 5200rpm
Torque: 157Nm (11ft-lb) at 3600rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
1.9L ‘Startfire’ 4 (1892 cc)
Option Number: L18
Engine Prefix: UN
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 1.892 litres
Number of Cylinders: Four
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head Design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Solex two-barrel downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke:
Power: 60 kW (bhp) at 4800rpm
Torque: 140Nm (ft-lb) at 2600rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.7:1
2.84 173 Low Compression Red 6
Option Number: LD2
Engine Prefix: HE (Manual), XQE (XZE from September 1, 1978) (Auto)
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 2.834 litres (173 cubic inches)
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head Design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke: 88.9 x 76.2mm (3.5 x 3.0 inches)
Power:
Manual: 75kw (100bhp) at 4200rpm
Automatic: 80kw (108bhp) at 4600rpm
Torque:
Manual: 210Nm (155lbs/ft) at 2000rpm
Automatic: 205Nm (151lbs/ft) at 2100rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.3:1
2.84 173 High Compression Red 6
Option Number: LD1
Engine Prefix: HD (Manual), XQD (XZD from September 1, 1978) (Auto)
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 2.834 litres (173 cubic inches)
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head Design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke: 88.9 x 76.2mm (3.5 x 3.0 inches)
Power:
Manual: 78kw (105bhp) at 4150rpm
Automatic: 87kw (117bhp) at 4650rpm
Torque:
Manual: 218Nm (155lbs/ft) at 2000rpm
Automatic: 216Nm (159lbs/ft) at 2300rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
3.3 202 Low Compression Red 6
Option number: L23
Engine Prefix: HM
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 3.310 litres (202 cubic inches)
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head Design: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg single barrel downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke: 92.1 x 82.6mm (3.625 x 3.25 inches)
Power: 76kw (101bhp) at 4000rpm
Torque: 245Nm (181lbs/ft) at 1200rpm
Compression Ratio: 7.5:1
3.3 202 High Compression Red 6
Option number: L20
Engine Prefix: HL (Manual), ZQL (ZXL from September 1, 1978) (Automatic)
Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Capacity: 3.310 litres (202 cubic inches)
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated overhead valves with two valves per cylinder
Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg twin barrel single downdraft type carburettor
Bore and Stroke: 92.1 x 82.6mm (3.625 x 3.25 inches)
Power:
Manual: 81kw (109bhp) at 3900rpm
Automatic: 88kw (118bhp) at 4000rpm
Torque:
Manual: 251Nm (185lbs/ft) at 1400rpm
Automatic: 251Nm (185lbs/ft) at 2100rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Transmissions
Manual
4 Speed Manual Transmission
Option Number: MC6
Application: 1.9L models
1st: 3.05:1
2nd: 2.19:1
3rd: 1.51:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.90:1
3 Speed Manual Transmission
Option Number: MC6
Application: 6 Cylinder models
1st: 3.07:1
2nd: 1.68:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.59:1
3 Speed Manual Transmission
Option Number: M15
Application: 173 and 202 6 Cylinder
1st: 3.07:1
2nd: 1.68:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.59:1
4 Speed Manual Transmission
Option Number: M20
Application: 202
1st: 3.05:1
2nd: 2.02:1
3rd: 1.41:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.05:1
Automatic
3 Speed Automatic Transmission Trimatic
Option Number: M40
1st: 2.31:1
2nd: 1.46:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 1.85:1
Rear Axle Ratios
1.9 Manual: 3.90:1
1.9 Automatic: 3.55:1
2.85 Manual: 3.36:1
2.85. 3.3 Automatic: 2.78:1
3.3 Manual: 3.08:1
GM-H Banjo
Option Number: GU7
Ratio: 2.78:1
GM-H Banjo
Option Number: GU4
Ratio: 3.08:1
GM-H Banjo
Option Number: GV4
Ratio: 3.36:1
GM-H Banjo
Option Number: GU8
Ratio: 3.90:1
LSD Optional on all Diffs (G80)
Clutch
Single dry plate diaphram spring actuation type
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Suspension
Front: Wishbone and swivel ‘A’ type, coil springs, Direct acting shock absorbers, RTS standard, stabiliser bar
Rear: Four link type with rubber-bushed suspension arms and coil springs. Hydraulic double acting telescopic shocks. Live rear axle. Stabiliser bar
Steering
Rack and pinion
Brakes
Front: Drums on S model, 254mm discs on SL and SL/R models,
Rear: 228mm drums on all models,
Electrical
12 Volt with a coil and distributor ignition
Exhaust
Cast iron manifold and single exhaust
Wheels
Full circle vented disc wheels, 4.50JJ x 13
Tyres
A78L13 4 P/R S and SL 4 cylinder models; B78L13 4P/R SL 6 cylinder models:
Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2586mm
Total Length: 4515mm
Total Width: 1704mm
Total Height at kerb weight: 1339mm
Kerb Weight: 1157kg
Turning Circle: 11 metres
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres