I was looking at a '78 Trans Am, with a 400/TH350 w/shift kit, Edelbrock performer intake, headers and duel exhaust, and all power. I was wondering if this was better than a stock '84 Z28 I was looking at, and by how much.

 

IMHO, yes, the TransAm would be a better buy. The '84 Z's were pretty mild, highway geared cars. They tend to have a ton of rattles as well. The TA has a bigger motor, and IMHO an all around better car.

------------------
Speed-O-Motive 383 stroker kit,4 bolt 350 bored .030 over,TRW Forged pistons,Moly Rings,Comp Xtreme 284 cam,.540 lift with Crane 1.6 roller rockers,World Products Sportsman II heads, ported and polished with 2.02/1.60 valves, Comp guideplates,Edelbrock RPM intake,Holley 750DP carb,Hedman 1 5/8 headers to 2.5" duals and flowmasters,HEI with MSD6A box,TH350 with Hughes 3000 stall,4.11 gears.

 

To hell with the '84 Z, the Trans Am will kill it!
But seriously, the only advantage the '84 Z28 has is the fact that it's a 350 (Cheap, availible parts compared to Pontiac 400), but if the one your looking at is stock, it's a HUGE dog. That '78 T/A in good running shape, with those mods, should turn high 14's.......I ran low 15's with an open hood scoop and headers/2x exhaust. Be sure to remove the cats! It's good to have the shift kit too, because without it, there is too much delay between shifts, and that's how I over - revved it, in addition to my shot oil pump (ssh I didn't know damnit!), and that's how I killed my engine. If the T/A is in good shape, get it, hands down. Look for the rear window leaking......When you get it, if it leaks or not, caulk the $hit out of the space between the window trim and the window, so NO water can get between it, because water sits there and rusts the car out and makes a leak. This was a nightmare for my car. Check for rust on the rear quarter panels as well, above and around the wheel wells. If it's very little, you should be OK for now......Any more questions you have, post 'em.....What carb does it have?

------------------
1978 Trans Am, ENGINE FINALLY DONE! Will be running soon! Pontiac 400 + .030", milled/decked 9:1 comp., High Energy 268H cam, comp cams rr's, valve job, balanced, edelbrock intake/carb, hooker headers, dual exhaust, flowmaster 40 series 2 chambers, B&M holeshot 2000 TC, B&M ratchet shifter, march pullies and K&N/Xstream. http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...=225185&page=1

 

The '84 Z has a 305 in it if it's stock.

If I were you I'd buy the '84 Z. Since both of those cars are dogs and you'll have to do engine work anyway if you want a quick one, it might be cheaper to drop a 350 into the Z. The '84 Z is lighter and handles better so it'll respond better to horsepower, plus they look good and if it's an Auto, it has a 700R4 four speed transmission for better mileage (and the first gear is good in those things).

Of course, the Burt Reynold's Trans Ams look good too.

Basically, I guess you could say since they're both on the low side of the power scale, just pick the one you like the best and go with it.

-Dave C. '97 Z28

 

Screw the 84 Z, it has a 305 probably. Emissions all the way, go for the trans AM!!

 

Unless you have a 350 sitting around to drop in the Z I would go with the T/A. If it has manifold, headers, and true duals it's probably already significantly ahead of the Z in horsepower and will dominate the Z as far as torque is concerned. All you really need are a pair of higher compression heads or some work on the stock heads to make pretty good power out of the 400. Do you know what heads it has on it now? If it's a W72 with 6X4 heads, it could be built to run pretty well.

 

*sniff*
I miss my moms 78 t/a.

It was a 4 speed with a 455 and the previos owner had modified the livin hell out of it. It was also the car that advertised goodyears "eagle GT" tires.
(weather you believe me or not doesnt really matter i guess...) but if anyone can give me a link to a place where I can find the old adds for goodyear I would be EXTREMELY XSTATIC! =D

78 Trans am RULE MAN!(specialy if you can get a bird on the hood) =)

 

Here ya go!

http://www.iwaynet.net/~gl&lisk/taadp1.html

------------------
1978 Trans Am, ENGINE FINALLY DONE! Will be running soon! Pontiac 400 + .030", milled/decked 9:1 comp., High Energy 268H cam, comp cams rr's, valve job, balanced, edelbrock intake/carb, hooker headers, dual exhaust, flowmaster 40 series 2 chambers, B&M holeshot 2000 TC, B&M ratchet shifter, march pullies and K&N/Xstream. http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...=225185&page=1

 

THanks MAN!

I didnt see the car though... but thanks!

*continues to look for the fire am.....*

 

One reason to forget the junk 84...The 7.5 junk puny rear axle..The cost of reworking the rear suspension to hook up...I could go on forever but in the end you will already have a bigger engine in the old school ta and that makes you well under way..

------------------
FLUCK A SPELL CHECK<I CAN SPELL REALLY GOOD< IT'S JUST THE TYPEING THAT STINK AT!

http://phillyfabanddesign.tripod.com/parts4sale/

http://phillyfabanddesign.tripod.com/phillyfabricationanddesign/

http://phillyfabanddesign.tripod.com/PhillyFabsLT1RX7/id1.html

88 RX7 GTU, 97 Lt1/700R4,10" 3K stall, 4.30 gears,285CFM heads,12.4-1 compression, custom cam and 2700lbs...Daily driven!