Pontiac 301 Turbo
When somebody says “V8 turbo,” you know they are talking about an immensely powerful motor. Eight cylinders with the help of forced induction is a sure recipe for big power and performance. That is if we’re talking about modern engines. In 1979, this wasn’t the case. The days of big cube motors and high horsepower ratings were gone, so Pontiac decided to invest in new technology to generate power. That new technology was turbocharging. So in late 1979, Pontiac introduced the Trans Am Turbo (via Pontiac V8).
The engine in question was the 301 V8 with a Garrett turbocharger bolted onto it. The power output was modest at 200 to 210 HP, but the torque number was high at 340 lb.-ft. This resulted in a hint of performance that was still far from anything substantial.