[VTBANDIT]

Can anyone tell me how common a factory optioned 1979 SE 403 4-speed car would be? I have never seen the 403 4speed before. I was under the impression that all the 4 speed cars were pontiac 400 motors and the 403's were automatic. Does anyone know how common this combination was in any Trans Am? In SE cars? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
F Small

[crider]

It has to have been either an engine or trans swap. The four speed cars were ALL pontiac engined.

[bonneville Joe]

Ditto, check the VIN. 403 cars will have a K code, 400 cars are a Z code and 301 cars are a W code. If it was a 4spd 400 or 301 car someone put the olds motor in it, and vise versa if it was a 403 car someone put the 4spd in it. If it is now a 4spd car and you can get it for a reasonable price seeing it has been "f'd" with as I like to say, you can get a 400 cheap enough to make one helluva mean car.

[PonchoV8]

Why did the 403 have a drain hose and the 400 did not? Or were there other engines that had the drain hose too--like the 301, etc?

[VTBANDIT]

I thought the same, but the guy has the window sticker showing a 403 engine and a 4 speed tranny. It had a 301 delete option also listed. It must have been special ordered and it is all original and documented. Not a bad price either thats why i am wondering as to the rarity of the car being that like you all i have never heard of the 403 with a standard tranny in any 79 say nothing about an SE standard 403...

[W72-Bandit]

Look at the window sticker closely, it will show 403 as standard equip.(all 79 T/A's) with the 301 as a credit option. Sounds like a 301/4spd SE to me. 1 of 213. As stated above, ck the VIN. Bet its a W. There were no 403 4spd cars produced.

[VTBANDIT]

Ahh, that is what it was. I didn't think a 403 4 speed was possible. I misread that. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Now does 12,000 sound like a good price for a 79 301 4 spd with 95000 original miles and original paint and hobnail interior?

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

Why did the 403 have a drain hose and the 400 did not? Or were there other engines that had the drain hose too--like the 301, etc?

ALL T/A shakers had a drain hose.

The 403 was the only molded (curved) one

[bonneville Joe]

If it's a PHS documented '79 SE 301 4spd and they only made 213 that will help the value. I'd like to see pics of the car to see what kind of condition its in.