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The "all hand-assembled" LS2 SD455 engine was rated at 290 hp (216 kW) at 4000 rpm and 395 lb⋅ft (536 N⋅m) at 3600 rpm. All Pontiac engines included a new EGR system, which delayed the SD-455 program until late into the production year. The shaker decal on the scoop read "SD-455". The 1973 Trans Am introduced "Radial Tuned Suspension".
Once corrected the SD-455 was recertified and was released for production in late April 1973. Given how late in the model year it was, Pontiac decided not to incur the costs of recertifying the SD-455 for other models other than the Firebird. Ultimately Pontiac produced only 295 1973 SD-455 Firebirds (252 Trans Am, 43 Formula).
The 1974 models featured a redesigned "shovel-nose" front end and new wide "slotted" taillights. The 400, 455, and SD-455 engines were offered in the Trans Am and Formula models during 1974. A June 1974 test of a newly delivered, privately owned SD-455 Trans Am appeared in Super Stock and Drag Illustrated. With an unmodified car and a test ...
Also in 1973, the new Super Duty 455 engine ("Super Duty" harkening back to Pontiac's Racing Engines) was introduced. Although it was originally to be available in GTOs and Firebirds, only a few SD 455 engines made it into Firebird Trans Ams that year.
1973–1975 L65 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 with 2-barrel carburetor (standard engine, others were optional) 1973–1975 L78 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 with 4-barrel carburetor; 1973–1975 L75 455 cu in (7.5 L) V8 with 4-barrel carburetor; Notes: A SD-455 equipped engineering prototype Grand Am was built and tested, [4] but was later dismantled and destroyed.
Also announced for the '73 GTO and Grand Am was the Super Duty 455 V8, which was rated at 310 hp (230 kW). Cars magazine tested an SD-455-equipped 1973 Pontiac GTO and chose it as Car Of The Year, yet that engine never made it to production in a GTO or other Pontiac A-body, but would be limited to the Firebird Formula and Trans Am.
Pontiac boasted the new system made it easier to load and unload the wagon in tight spaces, but the "Glide-Away" tailgate was prone to electrical and mechanical problems, and water and air leakage problems, as the cars aged. Another trouble-prone feature Pontiacs shared with all GM B- and C-body cars for 1971 was a new power ventilation system.
Pontiac Acadian (1976–1987, rebadged Chevrolet Chevette/Pontiac T1000/1000, Canada) Pontiac Astre (1975–1977; 1973–1977 Canada) Pontiac Firefly (1985–2001, rebadged Chevrolet Sprint/Geo Metro/Suzuki Cultus, Canada) Pontiac G2 (2006-2010 (Mexico only, and Mexico made), rebadged Chevy Spark after that in the US.