I have been bugging my cousin for a race for the longest time and he finally said yes this weekend. My cousin has a 78 trans am with 4 speed 6.6 liter engine. His car is 4250# with him and two other people in it and mine was about 3560 with just myself. We have a 1/4 mile strip set up on a little rural road close to our house. Here is how it went. He had a great start with no burnt rubber, and he got a good 1 car lead on me. I had a decent start with no tire spinnage but was a little low on the rpm's. I quickly went to redline in first and second and heard my cousin chirp third at the same time I was shifting to third. I was gaining on him and the look on his face was worth the *** beating when I got a half car length on him at the end in the 1/4. He never got out of third and neither did I. I think if it went to forth I would have still beat him.

I wish I had a better start but I can't complain because I have the bragging rights on him. The only thing he could say..."I only paid 3,500 for this and you have a 30,000 dollar car. He wants to go again...I am going to make him wait a while ......I like having the upper hand now!

Don't be affraid on them big boys...I thought he would beat me by a couple of car lengths...I was quite surprised!

 

How worn was his motor? A '78 could have some miles on it.

 

He just bought the car from some guy. I think he put in a HP cam and rebored the engine and put new rings on it. The tach doesn't work (damn american cars!) so he was not able to take it to red-line. The TA's motor has a lot of power...it will chirp third. I guess the weight disadvantage helped me a little...but I got to hand it to the MAX! It has a lot of get up and go....and the third gear in the max is awesome!

 

no matter how far behind, third gear will take/hang with anything. its especially nice when u dont get that great of a start and end up killing those GT's. i went with an SS from about 50 and he BARELY pulled away (about a hood length, til we hit 4th and a light). never give up!


Jonathan Marsh