Automatic Trans Ams

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

My 1978 with the TA 6.6 Pontiac engine was 220HP. It was peppy but not a beast. Around 15.1 in the quarter bone stock. If the stories I hear are correct a 1969 428 Cobra Jet Mustang, stock but with performance enhancing tires, would turn a 13.8. Faster but not that much faster.

The 6.6 Trans Am was a 180hp Oldsmobile engine.

The WS6 suspension on the Trans Am allowed it to handle/turn really well. Not sure if it had a brake upgrade worthy of note.

The little bit of reading I've done, some Trans Ams had what was called Radial Tuned Suspension and by all accounts I've read, it was much better than otherwise stock and Camaro suspensions.

Dash pics of 2 TAs in Maine, one a Turbo Trans Am

[gsxrken]

Shaun, the Turbo has a unique and I think great looking hood. Rather than the center shaker, it swept up from center to in front of the driver, and inside it were 3 lights that came on sequentially as boost increased. It also had a unique fire-chicken decal on the hood. The other updated thing on them was the 4 wheel disc brakes, a rare thing for the day. As I said earlier though, it was painfully slow. They need an engine swap asap.

[Tobra]

Turbo T/A had the same motor as the Grand National, I believe. If this is the case, simple matter of dialing in more boost and fuel

[911boost]

No, there was a Turbo Pontiac but it was later. The one above is a V8 not the V6 in the GN and later turbo Pontiac’s.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by gsxrken

Shaun, the Turbo has a unique and I think great looking hood. Rather than the center shaker, it swept up from center to in front of the driver, and inside it were 3 lights that came on sequentially as boost increased. It also had a unique fire-chicken decal on the hood. The other updated thing on them was the 4 wheel disc brakes, a rare thing for the day. As I said earlier though, it was painfully slow. They need an engine swap asap.

Googled a bit and it is a great hood. Tried to go the FBMP ad with the 2 cars and it was gone, less than 2 days up.

A crate engine would be a must have.

[908/930]

Years ago I was being chased by somebody I knew in his turbo trans am, I was in my 1971 stock BMW 2002 he could not catch me, lol.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

^^^

that reminds a little of having a 240Z with dual Webers and headers and the only other cool car in high school was a Dodge Demon 340. We raced each other all the time, neck to neck up to 60 or so and then my 240 was .01 mph faster. I would pass him in ultra slow motion given a long enough straight.

[MMARSH]

It might be slow, but that ^^^^^^ turbo car really is good looking.

The 89 Anniversary Turbo car is the one with the Grand National engine.

[Jay Auskin]

My first car was a '81 Firebird. 4.3L V8. Neither fast, nor nimble. But, it was red. Very red. Everywhere. I'd love a pre-80's Trans AM today. You just don't see many, as most rusted away.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

^^^ same for Sciroccos and so many old cool cars.

I am fairly certain I will turn my attention to states like Texas:

Turbo here: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/aransas-pass-trans-am/7630347109.html

[pavulon]

Prompted by this thread, a quick search showed a remarkable number of T/As for sale. Some looked pretty nice. If that is an indication of cars available everywhere, you can be quite choosy--a tremendous luxury as you're certainly aware.

To what extent do T-tops diminish chassis rigidity? Is it a 20% hit? more? less? Were T-top cars reinforced to offset the issue? Are you looking for them or wanting to avoid them?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I can't answer the rigidity question other than to say it was GM in the 70s so I don't think anyone even thought about chassis rigidity then.

A T-top black or gold manual would be my preference. While I think it's relatively easy to drop in a new motor I have no interest in converting auto to manual.

[ZOO]

I hated them as a teen in the 1980s, but nostalgia is a powerful drug, and I dig them now. We have a trio of mid to late 70s T/As and Z-28s that show up for our local autocross series. They are all gorgeously restored -- and although they aren't the fastest cars, everyone is smiling all the time after their runs.

The Fire-Chicken decal isn't a deal-breaker for me any more.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I can't answer the rigidity question other than to say it was GM in the 70s so I don't think anyone even thought about chassis rigidity then.

A T-top black or gold manual would be my preference. While I think it's relatively easy to drop in a new motor I have no interest in converting auto to manual.

Converting one would be really easy. Especially if your already pulling the motor. An added bonus is converting to a 5 or 6 speed tremec. Much better drivability over the factory 4 speed.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

Converting one would be really easy. Especially if your already pulling the motor. An added bonus is converting to a 5 or 6 speed tremec. Much better drivability over the factory 4 speed.

Good to know, thanks!

[Steve Carlton]

Just thinking out loud...

[creaturecat]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I'll take a 1973 SD455.

i owned the last '74 SD ever made.
it was near perfect. ran unbelievably strong. 12 mpg. sold it for 8200 bucks. circa 1984.
i shoulda' kept it.

[Steve Carlton]

They were high watermarks of the muscle car era.

[wilnj]

Damn you guys. I really don't need these kinds of distractions.

[herr_oberst]