Pontiac 6000

Infobox Automobile


name = Pontiac 6000
transmission = 3-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
manufacturer = General Motors
production = 1982–1991
class = Mid-size
layout = Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
platform = A-body
body_style = 2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
predecessor = Pontiac LeMans
successor = Pontiac Grand Prix
length= Auto in|188.9|0
Auto in|193.2|0 (wagon)
width= Auto in|72|0
height= Auto in|53.7|0
Auto in|54.1|0 (wagon)
wheelbase= Auto in|104.5|0 (1982-1988)
Auto in|104.9|0 (1989-1991)
assembly=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
related = Buick Century
Chevrolet Celebrity
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
engine = 2.5 L "Iron Duke" I4
2.8 L "GM 60-Degree V6 engine" LB6
3.1 L "LHO"

The Pontiac 6000 was a conservatively styled mid-size car introduced by the Pontiac division of General Motors in 1981 for the 1982 model year, slotting between the Bonneville and above the Phoenix. It shared its platform with the Buick Century, Chevrolet Celebrity, Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser station wagon.

Overview

The 6000 was built at the Oshawa Car Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada from 1981 to 1988 and in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma until production ceased in 1991. They were also made in Tarrytown, New York for a few years. By 1984 the 6000 was Pontiac's best seller, with over 122,000 units sold.

In 1982, two trim levels were offered: 6000 and 6000 LE. Both offered the new-for 1982 2.5L Tech IV four cylinder with throttle body injection. It made convert|90|hp. Available for the 6000 was GM's 2.8L V6 with a 2-barrel carburetor which made convert|112|hp or a 4.3L Diesel V6 which made convert|85|hp. The diesel engine was very unpopular and was only offered until 1985. Available in 1986 for all 6000s was a Multi-port fuel injected 2.8L V6 that made convert|135|hp. The 2.5L was given various updates over the years but was mostly unchanged. In 1987, an S/E model arrived with the STE running gear but less features. In 1989, passive front seatbelts and a 3.1L V6 were new. The 2.8 was dropped for 1990, replaced by the 3.1. The 6000 was dropped after 1991, replaced by the Pontiac Grand Prix sedan.

TE version

The 6000 STE was designed as the spiritual successor to Pontiac's previous attempts at a Euro-style sedan including the 1973-75 and 1978-80 Grand Am, but in a much smaller size that was more competitive with the imported sedans. Introduced in 1983, the STE debuted with a high-output 2.8L V6 with a two-barrel carbeuretor, making convert|135|hp. The STE was designed as a Euro-style luxury/sport sedan to compete with offerings from Audi and BMW. However, it was somewhat deficient compared to its intended imported rivals due to a carbureted engine and LE-style instruments, along with the absence of a five-speed manual transmission, the latter a standard item on most imports. This changed in 1984, when the STE offered a digital instrument computer, which featured a system check function which monitored items such as fluids, lights and doors. There was also a bar graph tachometer, which addressed the main issue of the 1983 STE. Special seats and air-leveling suspension were also unique to the STE, as is a higher-output AM/FM Cassette stereo with equilizer. The STE also came loaded with standard equipment including power windows, reclining bucket seats in cloth or optional suede leather upholstery, cruise control, tilt wheel, uprated tires and wheels and numerous other items optional on most American cars. About the only extra-cost options were a sunroof and suede leather upholstery.

In 1985, the carburated V6 was dropped in favor of a V6 the same size, utilizing multi-port fuel injection. It made convert|140|hp and convert|175|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on of torque. It also now features a standard four-speed automatic transmission; the manual has been dropped. Steering wheel audio controls and antilock four wheel disc brakes joined in 1986, the same year the STE featured a redesigned front end. In 1987, a two-position memory seat was added in lieu of the power front seats. The memory set the position for a certain setting upon being pressed.

In 1988, the 2.8L V6 was replaced by a new 3.1L MPFI V6 making convert|140|hp. Also that year, a rare option was that of the all-wheel-drive drivetrain that was optional for the STE. It required the 3.1L V6 and a step down to a 3-speed automatic transmission, since it was the only transmission to handle the transfer case. It became standard STE equipment in 1989, but for 1990 it was an option on the S/E model, since the STE was discontinued and became the top of the line nameplate on the new Grand Prix sedan that year.

Engines

* 1982-1991 LR8 TBI "Tech IV" 2.5 L (151 in³) I4
* 1982-1986 LE2 2-barrel 2.8 L (173 in³) V6
* 1982-1985 LT7 diesel 4.3 L (263 in³) V6
* 1983-1984 LH7 2-barrel 2.8 L (173 in³) High Output V6
* 1985 L44 MFI 2.8 L (173 in³) V6
* 1986-1989 LB6 MFI 2.8 L (173 in³) V6
* 1988 AWD models LH0 MFI 3.1 L (191 in³) V6 (The 1988 6000 STE AWD was the first use of the 3.1 L in a production car.)
* 1989-1990 AWD models LH0 MFI 3.1 L (191 in³) V6
* 1990-1991 LH0 MFI 3.1 L (191 in³) V6

Transmissions

*1984-1986 Muncie 4-speed manual w/overdrive (only available on 2.5 L 4-cyl & 4.3 L diesel)
*1987-1988 Muncie/Getrag 5T40/HM282 5-speed manual w/overdrive (only on 2.8 L V6)
*1982-1991 Turbo Hydramatic 125C/3T40 3-speed automatic
*1985-1991 Turbo Hydramatic 440-T4/4T60 4-speed automatic with overdrive

Awards

The "6000 STE" was on "Car and Driver" magazine's Ten Best list three times, from 1983 to 1985.

ee also

*Oshawa Car Assembly
*General Motors

External links

* [http://a-body.net/ GM A-body club and forum]
* [http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/the6000club/ Yahoo Pontiac 6000 group]