The General Lee vs. The Bandit Trans Am....... Which is better?

[JWG223]

This is true, but the Old BBs can make some very stout numbers easy. Those old cylinder heads are just very capable..... they just didn't run that hot from the factory.

I don't think they can touch the ls series mod for mod.

 

[Old_Demon]

No doubt the newer cars today can put most of the old "classics" on the trailer. But the love of the old cars is not just for speed, but they had character. They looked different, too. Today's cars almost all look the same and just don't have any real distinction from one another. Besides, half the fun of owning a muscle car back in the day was to continually play with it trying to make if faster and better. You had to get your hands dirty! Today hook up a laptop and make any number of changes. It ain't the same.

 

[whbonney26]

GENERAL LEE all day.

While I like the Smokey and the Bandit movies.......General Lee and all of its awesomeness wins hands down.


That first video is awesome. That Police seen them two iconic cars and didnt want NONE. I guess they seen what usually happens to them when they give chase.


Bandit car is awesome.....but its just a Trans-am
General Lee has the paint.....orange/black numbers....and the Confederate Flag with General Lee wrote on it. My fav show as a kid and just awesome.

 

[Gus McCrae]

I don't think they can touch the ls series mod for mod.

A BBC will hands down will stomp a LS series engine mod for mod. The only disadvantages the BBC will have is weight and gas mileage. Heck, if you are going to go mod for mod you might be able to fab up a good fuel injection set up that will help in the MPG department. They might even have a better aluminum block set up than the old ZL1s.

BBCs just start off with better cylinder heads in general. 800 HP is pretty easy for a NA BBC, not so much for a LSX.

 

[dustyk70]

Undecided, I once loved both cars at different times in my life. So don't make me decide. Thanks.

 

[JWG223]

A BBC will hands down will stomp a LS series engine mod for mod. The only disadvantages the BBC will have is weight and gas mileage. Heck, if you are going to go mod for mod you might be able to fab up a good fuel injection set up that will help in the MPG department. They might even have a better aluminum block set up than the old ZL1s.

BBCs just start off with better cylinder heads in general. 800 HP is pretty easy for a NA BBC, not so much for a LSX.

800bhp on pump-gas? Link to example, please.

 

[Gus McCrae]

I didn't say it would run on pump gas, but:

Here you can buy a crate 565 that makes 800 HP on pump gas: http://precisionraceengines.com/featured-products/chevy-454-stroker-turn-key-crate-engine-800-hp

 

[dustyk70]

And oh yeah, Here is my Oldsmobile Cutlass w/a Big Block 454.

 

[JWG223]

I didn't say it would run on pump gas, but:

Here you can buy a crate 565 that makes 800 HP on pump gas: http://precisionraceengines.com/featured-products/chevy-454-stroker-turn-key-crate-engine-800-hp

I learned the hard way that those kinds of ads are misleading. They quote GROSS hp, and not SAE hp. I bought a 340hp 302 once. It dynoed 242. Notice their dyno vid? Not very "SAE" looking to me.

Another example is the LS1 engine. It makes over 400hp bone stock according to GROSS hp ratings when tested outside of a vehicle in an engine dyno room.

 

[Gus McCrae]

I learned the hard way that those kinds of ads are misleading. They quote GROSS hp, and not SAE hp. I bought a 340hp 302 once. It dynoed 242. Notice their dyno vid? Not very "SAE" looking to me.

Another example is the LS1 engine. It makes over 400hp bone stock according to GROSS hp ratings when tested outside of a vehicle in an engine dyno room.

You asked for an article, I supplied you with one.

Talk do anyone who really races cars and they'll tell you it's pretty easy to make stupid power with a BBC if you know what you are doing. They make power, they can make lots of power, and it'll be easier than with an LS series engine. It's just what a BBC is.

I love the LS series engines, great power and efficient but they were made to be a passenger car engine and fit in a small engine compartment.... BBCs were designed with NASCAR in mind from the get go. Each has their place, but a BBC is just going to make more power because it'll move more air in the end.

 

[JWG223]

You asked for an article, I supplied you with one.

Talk do anyone who really races cars and they'll tell you it's pretty easy to make stupid power with a BBC if you know what you are doing. They make power, they can make lots of power, and it'll be easier than with an LS series engine. It's just what a BBC is.

I love the LS series engines, great power and efficient but they were made to be a passenger car engine and fit in a small engine compartment.... BBCs were designed with NASCAR in mind from the get go. Each has their place, but a BBC is just going to make more power because it'll move more air in the end.

I'll grant you that "in the end" it will make more power, I won't argue that. However, without completely re-doing the engine, the LSX series has a lot more to offer "mod for mod", unless you mean "new/fully machined and ported heads". Then of course, he with the deepest pockets will win.

One thing you are dead-on about is the size/weight, which is why I never really looked too much into the BB world.

 

[Gus McCrae]

I'll grant you that "in the end" it will make more power, I won't argue that. However, without completely re-doing the engine, the LSX series has a lot more to offer "mod for mod", unless you mean "new/fully machined and ported heads". Then of course, he with the deepest pockets will win.

One thing you are dead-on about is the size/weight, which is why I never really looked too much into the BB world.

It really depends on which BBC you start with (rectangular, oval, or peanut ports)...... It really doesn't take much BBC to push a car into the 10s. As long as it's not a smog chamber or peanut port head, it'll make power.

 

[VeedUp]

General Lee all day everyday. Functioning doors are for sissies.

Exactly, +1

 

[VeedUp]

No doubt the newer cars today can put most of the old "classics" on the trailer. But the love of the old cars is not just for speed, but they had character. They looked different, too. Today's cars almost all look the same and just don't have any real distinction from one another. Besides, half the fun of owning a muscle car back in the day was to continually play with it trying to make if faster and better. You had to get your hands dirty! Today hook up a laptop and make any number of changes. It ain't the same.

You still have to get your hands dirty, it takes way more than a lap top to tune newer model hot rods. With technology now days you can pull big block numbers with small block builds. They make carb intakes for the LSX and you can stroke it out over 400 cubes, I think it's all about application and what you'd like in the end.

 

[Charles1959]

I'll take the General Lee. Although I'm a GM guy, I just never liked a unibody car. They just don't take the abuse a full frame does.
And as far as the horsepower argument....
Like the old saying goes; "Speed is just a matter of money son, how fast do you want to go?"

 

[Coonie]

These two all day long.

I don't believe that I would fit one being 6'4" but if Magnum could then I'd give it a shot.

 

[oleheat]

Tough choice. I like em both. I think both cars were equally badass, image-wise. So I think we must go to the tiebreaker system.

Here goes......










"The Bandit"

"The General Lee"-------------------------------------------------------------------------> WINNER~!

(Yeah- I know it probably ain't fair, but neither is life.)

 

[BUSTER48]

"MOPAR or no car" My oldest brother has a '69 Charger 440 in B5 blue.

^^^^^THIS!!!!! In it's day MOPAR ruled.

 

[Paintball]

I have heard it said that imitation is a form of flattery. I see lots of General Lee imitations but not so on the Bandits Trans Am. Just saying...
Camaro

Corvette

Mustang

VW Bug

Bike

 

[Paintball]

Continued...
Bus

Jeep

Mower

Scooter

Lamborghini

Boat

Snowmobile

ATV

Pixar