Which pontiac engine is this?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Rome, GA
Originally Posted by jim henderson
quote.. 78 was the last year for a Pontiac 400. 403 and 400s were available in 78.
No, 79 was the last year. I had a 403 1979 model and the other WS6 was a 400. In 1980 they came out with the whimpy little all new design 301 block some with turbo. Performance was about 1 sec slower than the 400.
The 79 TA WS6 model had better performance and rated a wiser buy than that years Porsche. Performance back then was pretty pitiful. I think the WS6 did the quarter in 17 seconds. The next year Turbo did it in 18.
My recollections based upon intense interest since I owned one and an article in Car and Driver from 1979. Don't know if I still have that issue, I think I do.
Jim Henderson
No, 79 was the last year. I had a 403 1979 model and the other WS6 was a 400. In 1980 they came out with the whimpy little all new design 301 block some with turbo. Performance was about 1 sec slower than the 400.
The 79 TA WS6 model had better performance and rated a wiser buy than that years Porsche. Performance back then was pretty pitiful. I think the WS6 did the quarter in 17 seconds. The next year Turbo did it in 18.
My recollections based upon intense interest since I owned one and an article in Car and Driver from 1979. Don't know if I still have that issue, I think I do.
Jim Henderson
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
But the question was "were they available" yes they were. I had the 403 and sold it years ago so have to go on what I knew weere the options then, can't take a peek.
I have seen several 400 engined 79s but never checked the engine date since the presumtption was factory original. I think ONLY WS6 models had the 400. Usually you can tell a WS6 by the rear disc brakes. The 403s had drum. And I would assume somewhere on the build sticker they would call out WS6.
Wish I still had my old TA. One of my better fun cars. On of these days, I gotta find me another one to restore and enjoy.
Jim Henderson
I have seen several 400 engined 79s but never checked the engine date since the presumtption was factory original. I think ONLY WS6 models had the 400. Usually you can tell a WS6 by the rear disc brakes. The 403s had drum. And I would assume somewhere on the build sticker they would call out WS6.
Wish I still had my old TA. One of my better fun cars. On of these days, I gotta find me another one to restore and enjoy.
Jim Henderson
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Rome, GA
Originally Posted by jim henderson
But the question was "were they available" yes they were. I had the 403 and sold it years ago so have to go on what I knew weere the options then, can't take a peek.
I have seen several 400 engined 79s but never checked the engine date since the presumtption was factory original. I think ONLY WS6 models had the 400. Usually you can tell a WS6 by the rear disc brakes. The 403s had drum. And I would assume somewhere on the build sticker they would call out WS6.
Wish I still had my old TA. One of my better fun cars. On of these days, I gotta find me another one to restore and enjoy.
Jim Henderson
I have seen several 400 engined 79s but never checked the engine date since the presumtption was factory original. I think ONLY WS6 models had the 400. Usually you can tell a WS6 by the rear disc brakes. The 403s had drum. And I would assume somewhere on the build sticker they would call out WS6.
Wish I still had my old TA. One of my better fun cars. On of these days, I gotta find me another one to restore and enjoy.
Jim Henderson
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