For 1983, Firebirds had a few major revisions, aimed at making the cars more fun to drive. First, the Borg Warner T-5 5 speed manual was made available. New for the base coupe were ralley wheels. The S/E received a new V6 as the standard engine, a 2.8 H.O. V6 that was taken from the Chevy Citation X11. The Camaro never offered this engine however. There were a couple interesting special edition Trans Ams as well.

Standard, base coupe: LQ9 2.5 litre 4 cylinder, 92hp (7,623 produced)

Optional, base coupe: LC1 2.8 litre 2bbl V6, 112hp

Standard, S/E: 2.8 H.O. 2bbl V6, 135hp

Optional base coupe and S/E, standard Trans Am: LG4 305 4bbl V8, 155hp

Optional, Trans Am: LU5 305 CFI V8, 175hp

Optional, Trans Am: L69 305 H.O. 4bbl V8, 190hp (662 produced)

27,333 V6s were produced, 39,928 V8s (non-H.O.) produced

The Trans Am's standard suspension for '83 was the same setup as that used on the S/E, with revised spring rates to compensate for the heavier V8. Optional was the WS6 suspension package, which included a limited-slip rear end, 4 wheel discs, larger stabilizer bars, and a 12.7:1 steering ratio.

The addition of the 190hp L69 engine added a much-needed horsepower boost for Trans Ams. The L69 included a Corvette-spec cam, dual-snorkel air cleaner, 2 1/4 inch headers, 2 3/4 inch exhaust, and a larger catalytic converter. This engine dropped 0-60 times down to 7 seconds flat. The new T-5 5 speed added to performance as well. For the first time, an overdrive automatic was available, as the TH700R4 4 speed automatic replaced the old TH200 3 speed automatic. A 3.73 rear end ratio was standard with the L69.

One special-edition Trans Am was the "Daytona 500 Limited Edition Trans Am." It was meant to commemorate Pontiac's 25th season as the pace car for the Daytona 500. Selling for $18,000, it was very expensive, and only 2,500 were produced. The car included a special 2 tone paint, with white upper and gray lower. It included a special aero package that was to be optional on all T/As in '84. Also, there were special graphics on the exterior. Inside, a special two-tone grey leather interior featured every power option available. Both 305 V8s were available, and the WS6 package was standard.

The other special T/A for '83 was the "Special Edition Recaro Trans Am." Retailing for $3100 with the 4bbl V8 and $3600 with the CFI V8, the car was black with gold-accented rocker panels, gold accents, gold interior with Recaro front bucket seats with leather bolsters, headrests and inserts, and T-tops. An AM/FM casette was also standard, as was the WS6 suspension.