1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Bowling Green KY.
1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s
My friend at work whos watched Smokey and The Bandit too many times,
claims that his stock 1979 Trans Am 50k miles auto. 403 can run with the 1985 and newer C4's. I think that the 85' and newer C4's will leave him in the dust. Am I right?
claims that his stock 1979 Trans Am 50k miles auto. 403 can run with the 1985 and newer C4's. I think that the 85' and newer C4's will leave him in the dust. Am I right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
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From: chandler az
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Darth Vader)
I had a '79 anniversary edition with the 403. I massaged the engine a little and put headers and duals all the way back. That car would easily outrun my '88 in a straight line. Once you get into the corners it would be no contest.
[Modified by brookman, 12:46 PM 4/9/2004]
[Modified by brookman, 12:46 PM 4/9/2004]
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (brookman)
no contest......an 86-89 vette vs 79 T/A!!!
weight, torque, gears, horsepower etc......all disadvantages to the T/A.
those cars would be lucky to break into the 14 sec with a 4 speed.
weight, torque, gears, horsepower etc......all disadvantages to the T/A.
those cars would be lucky to break into the 14 sec with a 4 speed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
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From: Shelton CT
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Darth Vader)
If he is stock, you are stock, easy kill..
If he has a newer or updated 403 in there, it's another story. If he gets traction off the line, he'll have you, otherwise buhbye TA.
I always loved the Bandit TA's, but drove a stock one years ago with the 455HO in it and it was pathetic. Smoked them up at will, but other than that, the car was VERY low-po. Check their HP ratings..
On the other hand, I almost bought a '78 TA with a fresh 403 in it, and that was a kick-azz ride. I'd have kille dmyself had I bought it by now probably.
If he has a newer or updated 403 in there, it's another story. If he gets traction off the line, he'll have you, otherwise buhbye TA.
I always loved the Bandit TA's, but drove a stock one years ago with the 455HO in it and it was pathetic. Smoked them up at will, but other than that, the car was VERY low-po. Check their HP ratings..
On the other hand, I almost bought a '78 TA with a fresh 403 in it, and that was a kick-azz ride. I'd have kille dmyself had I bought it by now probably.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 350
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From: portland or
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (rick lambert)
The late '70s were a tragic time for the once proud Camaro and Firebird. Z-28s and Trans-Ams included.
The 400 in this unit was rated at only 220hp, though all the 400s did have 4-speeds. Production units were covering the 1/4 mile in over 15 seconds.
Now, how many of those 25 year old 400s are stock? Who the heck knows. But I do know that there is a TON of horsepower potential in that block. More than enough potential to smoke off all but the best prepared C4.
-Z
The 400 in this unit was rated at only 220hp, though all the 400s did have 4-speeds. Production units were covering the 1/4 mile in over 15 seconds.
Now, how many of those 25 year old 400s are stock? Who the heck knows. But I do know that there is a TON of horsepower potential in that block. More than enough potential to smoke off all but the best prepared C4.
-Z
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Melting Slicks
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From: 1,000,000,001 Posts
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (brookman)
I had a '79 anniversary edition with the 403. I massaged the engine a little and put headers and duals all the way back. That car would easily outrun my '88 in a straight line. Once you get into the corners it would be no contest.
[Modified by brookman, 12:46 PM 4/9/2004]
[Modified by brookman, 12:46 PM 4/9/2004]
you would easily out run your 88,,, then you 88 was on its last leg :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
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From: Modesto CA
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (1990CORVETTE)
Actually, if it has the 403, then it's an Olds motor, and it's a POS! Back in high school, a friend of mine had a worked over 77 TA with the 403 in it...my STOCK 85 Corvette would show it tailights everytime. :lol:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,214
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From: Miami FL
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Darth Vader)
My first car was a 1977 TRANS AM special edition (THE smokey and the bandit car) It had the 200 hp T/A 6.6 motor,(1978 went to 220hp) which was the high performance option of the day. The 6.6 (non T/A) was 180 hp and the 6.6 Litre was the Oldsmobile 403 rated at 185 hp. The T/A 6.6 came with factory chrome valve covers. That car was great looking with the black paint and all those gold pinstripes. It had tons of torque and could lite up the tires and get a nice chirp from the one-two shift. That being said....The '84 crossfire could take it most likely and the TPI cars would smoke it. The C4, even the early versions are superior cars all the way around, brakes tires, suspension. BUT....I wish I still had that old car, may be worth something now. Also when I had that '77 Trans Am, My cousin had a '79 L82 Vette (220hp vs my 200hp) and we used to play around, he beat me every time. On the highway I could almost keep up, but he would pull away slowly. SO...I stuck a cam, intake, Holley 650, and hookers on her!!! WOW she screamed!!! I miss her....
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Ok
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (Darth Vader)
This sounds alot like "vette vs. viper". All stock the viper wins,(at twice the cost) but put some money in the vette and there you go ,...viper killer! Put some money in the T/A,... vette killer. I'm working on my T/A now, 455,4speed,gears, exhaust, aluminum hood and deck lid,suspension,brakes etc. How many vettes you think will mistake it for a "lo-po" smoging 15 sec. ride??? :yesnod:
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 61
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From: Akron Ohio
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (85blkZ51)
I too had a 1979 403 Trans Am . stock , it ran 15.7 in the quarter. Simply opening up the exhaust whith headers and true duals got it to run 14.8 .
The stock Horse Power rating was grossly underestimated on the 403 and 400,, The 403 was closer to 215 HP and the 400 was closer to 260HP . The resoning was GM didnt want to advertise their lower cost Pontiacs out doing 195 and 225 HP CORVETTEs,, so they rated them 10 and 5 HP lower.
But to answer your question ,, NO !,,, They would beet the stock 79 Corvettes
Paul
The stock Horse Power rating was grossly underestimated on the 403 and 400,, The 403 was closer to 215 HP and the 400 was closer to 260HP . The resoning was GM didnt want to advertise their lower cost Pontiacs out doing 195 and 225 HP CORVETTEs,, so they rated them 10 and 5 HP lower.
But to answer your question ,, NO !,,, They would beet the stock 79 Corvettes
Paul
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Largo Florida
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (TOO_HOTTVETTE)
My first car was a 1977 TRANS AM special edition (THE smokey and the bandit car) It had the 200 hp T/A 6.6 motor,(1978 went to 220hp) which was the high performance option of the day. The 6.6 (non T/A) was 180 hp and the 6.6 Litre was the Oldsmobile 403 rated at 185 hp. The T/A 6.6 came with factory chrome valve covers. That car was great looking with the black paint and all those gold pinstripes. It had tons of torque and could lite up the tires and get a nice chirp from the one-two shift. That being said....The '84 crossfire could take it most likely and the TPI cars would smoke it. The C4, even the early versions are superior cars all the way around, brakes tires, suspension. BUT....I wish I still had that old car, may be worth something now. Also when I had that '77 Trans Am, My cousin had a '79 L82 Vette (220hp vs my 200hp) and we used to play around, he beat me every time. On the highway I could almost keep up, but he would pull away slowly. SO...I stuck a cam, intake, Holley 650, and hookers on her!!! WOW she screamed!!! I miss her....
high 14s to low 15s is all those stockers would do.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,682
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (KTA1000)
For those of you that are making fun of that car. Keep in mind, those cars would destroy a Corvette of late C3 vintage.
My Car Records book doesnt have the 79 TA in there, but it does have the 78 Trans Am in there. With the 400, It ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3, weighed 3685 pounds
As a comparison the 1979 Corvette, GM's symbol of performance muscle, ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 15.2, weighing 3490 lbs.
Both cars had 4 speeds.
Lookswise, i think the screaming chicken on the hood is one of the coolest most symbolic cars of the musclecar-wanna be era. I like the TA.
Also keep in mind, nothing says 'I am here to molest your daughter' more than when a chocolate brown TA with the screaming chicken hood shows up in your driveway to take your daughter to prom.
Folks, that is Cross-Fire beating territory.
My Car Records book doesnt have the 79 TA in there, but it does have the 78 Trans Am in there. With the 400, It ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3, weighed 3685 pounds
As a comparison the 1979 Corvette, GM's symbol of performance muscle, ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 15.2, weighing 3490 lbs.
Both cars had 4 speeds.
Lookswise, i think the screaming chicken on the hood is one of the coolest most symbolic cars of the musclecar-wanna be era. I like the TA.
Also keep in mind, nothing says 'I am here to molest your daughter' more than when a chocolate brown TA with the screaming chicken hood shows up in your driveway to take your daughter to prom.
Folks, that is Cross-Fire beating territory.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,775
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From: 1,000,000,001 Posts
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (dizwiz24)
For those of you that are making fun of that car. Keep in mind, those cars would destroy a Corvette of late C3 vintage.
My Car Records book doesnt have the 79 TA in there, but it does have the 78 Trans Am in there. With the 400, It ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3, weighed 3685 pounds
As a comparison the 1979 Corvette, GM's symbol of performance muscle, ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 15.2, weighing 3490 lbs.
Both cars had 4 speeds.
Lookswise, i think the screaming chicken on the hood is one of the coolest most symbolic cars of the musclecar-wanna be era. I like the TA.
Also keep in mind, nothing says 'I am here to molest your daughter' more than when a chocolate brown TA with the screaming chicken hood shows up in your driveway to take your daughter to prom.
Folks, that is Cross-Fire beating territory.
My Car Records book doesnt have the 79 TA in there, but it does have the 78 Trans Am in there. With the 400, It ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3, weighed 3685 pounds
As a comparison the 1979 Corvette, GM's symbol of performance muscle, ran 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 15.2, weighing 3490 lbs.
Both cars had 4 speeds.
Lookswise, i think the screaming chicken on the hood is one of the coolest most symbolic cars of the musclecar-wanna be era. I like the TA.
Also keep in mind, nothing says 'I am here to molest your daughter' more than when a chocolate brown TA with the screaming chicken hood shows up in your driveway to take your daughter to prom.
Folks, that is Cross-Fire beating territory.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
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From: Coconut Creek FL
Re: 1979 TRANS AM vs. C4s (1990CORVETTE)
Men-
I had a 78 Formula Firechicken with the 400 Pontiac motor automatic. It had the chrome valve covers (basically a T\A with out the shaker hood) It was pretty heavy and fast to boot...I cam'ed it and went headers with true duals and she really came alive...it was horrible off the line though...tires a roasting...now I have an 84 CFI- I dare say that this car is faster...manual tranny (now a ZF6) bout the time the Formula would stop spinning...I would be long gone in my CROSSFIRE! 205 HP and all!
I can say one thing for the pontiac though- it was my first car....and I would love to have it back! what a sound that big motor had! :-) :party:
I had a 78 Formula Firechicken with the 400 Pontiac motor automatic. It had the chrome valve covers (basically a T\A with out the shaker hood) It was pretty heavy and fast to boot...I cam'ed it and went headers with true duals and she really came alive...it was horrible off the line though...tires a roasting...now I have an 84 CFI- I dare say that this car is faster...manual tranny (now a ZF6) bout the time the Formula would stop spinning...I would be long gone in my CROSSFIRE! 205 HP and all!
I can say one thing for the pontiac though- it was my first car....and I would love to have it back! what a sound that big motor had! :-) :party:
