HT4100 in a Firebird?

[TJ Hopland]

I recently met a Pontiac Firebird enthusiast and when I said I was into Cadillac's he mentioned that apparently the HT4100 was considered for the 'new' 82 Firebirds.   82 was the 'Knight Rider' generation.  The previous one was the 'Smokey and the Bandit' ones.   

He said they wanted something to stand out from the Camaro and cooperate shut down the Pontiac V8 production in 81.  He said there were a couple test cars built but none survived and obviously it never happened.  I asked if he knew why and he said word was it just didn't 'fit'.   Price vs performance was the issue.  Performance was better than the 4clinder or V6 options but not as good as the 5.0 4bbl V8 which was much less expensive.  They didn't think Firebird buyers would pay more for less performance. 

Seems plausible to me.  I know historically Pontiac did always try to keep an edge over Chev on those cars so it would make sense they were looking for something different.  Anyone else ever hear that?  That would have been the first time a Cadillac motor went into another car?   Fist time that did happen was the Olds Aurora?