C5 vs 1975 Trans Am
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Re: C5 vs 1975 Trans Am (Untouchable00)
I could be wrong, but again I'll refer back to the 3 car, Car Life test... I think that they got 132 MPH out of their 400 cu.in. equipped 1978 T/A. I would think that a 455SD equipped car would at least equal that..but then again, those MT guys have notoriously light right feet ! :lolg: :lolg:
(This has been an interesting trip down memory lane)
(This has been an interesting trip down memory lane)
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 4
From: Salt Lake City UT
Re: C5 vs 1975 Trans Am (Fastguy)
I had a 75 Trans Am with a 400/TH400. It ran blistering 15.9's@90mph. Woo Hoo, hold on to your hat! BTW, they are rated at something like 200 net.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
Re: C5 vs 1975 Trans Am (Untouchable00)
They actually have an excerpt on the back page of Motor Trend about an article they wrote in 73' mentioning how the fastest cars that year were very weak, "performance was a politically incorrect dirty word" to quote the article.
They said the 73' 455-cube Super-Duty Firebird had a 3-speed automatic and a top speed of 124.30 mph...and it was the fastest out of the entire group which included the Charger, 454-Laguna, Mustang Mach1, Buick GS455 and Javelin AMX. This was in 73' and things only got worse from there.
Please race him...
They said the 73' 455-cube Super-Duty Firebird had a 3-speed automatic and a top speed of 124.30 mph...and it was the fastest out of the entire group which included the Charger, 454-Laguna, Mustang Mach1, Buick GS455 and Javelin AMX. This was in 73' and things only got worse from there.
Please race him...
Yup! I had the 73 455 SD w/auto!! And like a dummy traded it for an anemic 74 camaro w/a 4 speed because the auto wasn't "cool" Man I wish I still had it....rare car. :sad: :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 25
From: Jasper GA
Re: C5 vs 1975 Trans Am (TLewis4095)
At the risk of keeping this thread going even longer, those cars didn't handle all that bad, especially on a smooth road. One of the biggest reasons current stuff handles better is the huge improvement in tire technology since the 70s.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Re: C5 vs 1975 Trans Am (Yup)
I owned a 75 TA back in the late 70's. 400 CID (185 HP), auto, 3:23 axle (best you could get), WS6 suspension. 85 MPH speedo included. Stock it ran a 15:80's @89 MPH. Modded it to open the hood scoop, curved the distributer, added (illegal) headers and dual exhaust, and got it down to a 14:8 at 94 MPH. It was a hot rod in it's time of the late 70's, but today's C5 will kill it in a straight line. Won't even bring up handling other than to say the 75 was o.k. on a perfectly smooth road, but any bumps in a curve....foogetaboutit.
The 75 does bring back memories of those teen years though....
The 75 does bring back memories of those teen years though....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 985
Likes: 0
From: Palm Desert, CA , USA
Re: C5 vs 1975 Trans Am (Yup)
I have a '70 Trans Am with 400ci and 345 hp that is balanced and blueprinted with the close ratio 4spd, ceramic headers, etc. It is fast but not as fast as my C5. There is a huge difference in "refinement" between the two. The C5 handles, corners and accelerates without alot of fuss where the T/A is shear ba!!s out fun in a straight line. You can burn the Goodyear polyglas' off of it if you want. It was definitely a great car in its time and still fun to drive but the Corvette can out perform it in all areas. I bought it new in 1970 and still own it. (I still have the window sticker for mine too, $5,025.)
[Modified by B. Stewart, 5:17 PM 5/23/2003]
[Modified by B. Stewart, 5:17 PM 5/23/2003]
