1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (lilblackvette)
The 403 only came from the factory with an auto and it is a complete slug. Race him for a little cash, it will be an EASY win. Beautiful cars in my opinion, but just slow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Chevy Guy)
Some of those people don't know anything about car and motor. When they see they have a 6.6 litre engine, wow it must be fast right?? Those olden day the 70s cars are sucks big engine but no power. My first vette was a 1986 auto raced some guy has a 6.6 litre TA. I think he has some works done to it because the danm car got no hood. He drove the car without a hood. We raced, 1st , 2nd gear and 3rd we are dead even until we are at about 95mph he is behind my tail lights.
Bruce
Bruce
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 37,642
Likes: 0
From: The last place on earth to get cable... Sacramento
1970's TRANS AM's did just drip tail though
I don't believe a stock 70's TA will outrun my 90 ragtop...
They did attract women though... a real babe magnet compaired to the same era vettes... I know I lived that era.
Now if you ask me about a 69 hemi charger vs the same vette... well... I love my vette, but straight line quarter mile... I'll bet my 11.82 bracket dodge would chirp across the lines (any of them through the whole 440 yards) first... but start adding some curves and the sweetness of the fiberglass wrapper comes to life under your seat.
As for the TA beating any C4 with the same mods to engine-tranny-wieght reduction... the TA loses by several yards...
Just my 2cw
Bob Jr
They did attract women though... a real babe magnet compaired to the same era vettes... I know I lived that era.
Now if you ask me about a 69 hemi charger vs the same vette... well... I love my vette, but straight line quarter mile... I'll bet my 11.82 bracket dodge would chirp across the lines (any of them through the whole 440 yards) first... but start adding some curves and the sweetness of the fiberglass wrapper comes to life under your seat.
As for the TA beating any C4 with the same mods to engine-tranny-wieght reduction... the TA loses by several yards...
Just my 2cw
Bob Jr
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,680
Likes: 752
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: 1970's TRANS AM's did just drip tail though (SHINOBI-X)
Quote:
COOL,,,, BUT WE ARENT COMPARING IT TO A 79 NOW ARE WE ,,, WE ARE COMPARING IT TO A 88 C4,,,, WHICH WOULD DESTROY IT,,,,,, ALL DAY LONG :lolg:
Why is that so funny that a car 10 years newer can beat it? So can a new Corvette LS-1 it will beat it to....so what.
What is funny to me is that it can keep pace/beat late model C3's.
COOL,,,, BUT WE ARENT COMPARING IT TO A 79 NOW ARE WE ,,, WE ARE COMPARING IT TO A 88 C4,,,, WHICH WOULD DESTROY IT,,,,,, ALL DAY LONG :lolg:
Why is that so funny that a car 10 years newer can beat it? So can a new Corvette LS-1 it will beat it to....so what.
What is funny to me is that it can keep pace/beat late model C3's.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood IN
Re: 1970's TRANS AM's did just drip tail though (dizwiz24)
My V6 Honda Accord has smoked both a 403 TA and a 77 Vette (but that's not saying anything). That was a dismal time for automakers. Those cars are huge overweight sloths, but that's all that was available at the time. Thank God GM turned things around!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: 1970's TRANS AM's did just drip tail though (Vette&GN)
The one nice thing about the 70's vintage cars is when you modified the motor, ie. headers, cams, heads, etc. It sure made a lot more difference then it does on the newer cars.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Mitchell, Indiana
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Darth Vader)
I must say the late 70's were a hard time for horsepower due to all the smog restrictions. I've beat a 79 L82 Corvette 4 speed in my old 97 v6 mustang 5 spd..... Not something im proud to say as a corvette owner since I have owned a 79 before but its true. Maybe the guy didnt know how to drive.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Nashville
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (95_6spdvette)
My first vette was 79 L-82. When it was stock I beat most cars. I got beat by a 455 HO 71 those were fast, and big blocks after they started to rev I had them off the line and for a few feet. I also got smoked by an 86 which was new and a GN stock even after cam, heads, headers, duals, stall, etc. Both of the GN, and 86 vette were stock. As far as the 79 TA 403 was auto, 4 speed was 400. Dad had 79 S/A was more expensive new than 79 vette??? Vette is faster.....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Darth Vader)
I'll chime in my $.02 since I own a 1978 T/A WS6, a C4 and a C2...
The T/A is the fastest car I own - Faster than my stroker 383 LT1 C4. However,, I have done extensive work on the engine.. But in stock trim the 400 pontiac engine, 4 speed and stock 3.23 gears propelled my car to a 14.4 in the 1/4 mile... I believe this is very similar to the early C4 1/4 mile times.. However, he has a 79 (which is a little heavier) and the olds 403 (which was a tad slower and produced less torque than the 400). But something to keep in mind is the fact that it is almost impossible to find a 77-79 T/A that is unmolested... most people bolt on a manifold and headers (under 400 bucks total) and if he has that it will easily hand you your butt... I would check under the hood and make sure all the smog junk, exhaust manifolds and intake - complete with EGR - are intact prior to smack talking heavily.. another thing to look for would be the exhuast system.. peak under the car and make sure the old 1 into 2 muffler exhaust is there with the cat in place (those old cats sucked) if he pulled the cat and has true duals on you could also be in trouble..
Although I love all corvettes I respect the old T/A's as the last american Big Block muscle car..
:beatdeadhorse:
The T/A is the fastest car I own - Faster than my stroker 383 LT1 C4. However,, I have done extensive work on the engine.. But in stock trim the 400 pontiac engine, 4 speed and stock 3.23 gears propelled my car to a 14.4 in the 1/4 mile... I believe this is very similar to the early C4 1/4 mile times.. However, he has a 79 (which is a little heavier) and the olds 403 (which was a tad slower and produced less torque than the 400). But something to keep in mind is the fact that it is almost impossible to find a 77-79 T/A that is unmolested... most people bolt on a manifold and headers (under 400 bucks total) and if he has that it will easily hand you your butt... I would check under the hood and make sure all the smog junk, exhaust manifolds and intake - complete with EGR - are intact prior to smack talking heavily.. another thing to look for would be the exhuast system.. peak under the car and make sure the old 1 into 2 muffler exhaust is there with the cat in place (those old cats sucked) if he pulled the cat and has true duals on you could also be in trouble..
Although I love all corvettes I respect the old T/A's as the last american Big Block muscle car..
:beatdeadhorse:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (BluByU)
But in stock trim the 400 pontiac engine, 4 speed and stock 3.23 gears propelled my car to a 14.4 in the 1/4 mile... But something to keep in mind is the fact that it is almost impossible to find a 77-79 T/A that is unmolested...
...and heaven forbid that somebody slid a 455 SD in there.
