are the turbo cars coming up in value
 

i always like the turbo car , some of by buddies say that they are coming up in value any thoughts

Haven't seen it myself.

seems like all the 76 thru 81 birds are increasing in value

I'd say generally all, just for the age and what they are if in good condition. But being turbo specifically isn't really what is driving any of it. Unlike other models that can be hotted up or even appear to be stock with double the HP, there's only so much that can be done to the Turbo models and by todays standards have unimpressive performance especially with the word turbo attached.

I would agree with this statement as well.

I wonder how much HP you can get out of a well-built, cammed, aluminum headed turbo 301? Boost is boost, to a degree, should be able to add 30-50% to a 300hp basic build -- no?

The heads definitely hold them back with those siamesed intake ports. New heads then you have to find a short deck intake manifold or have one made like Tom S did on his short deck project.

Just saw the 69 390 mach 1 in your signature. High school best friend's older brother had a 4 speed one. We could never figure out how to change those spark plugs on the middle cylinders! It was a nice car A blue that was so faint it was almost white. Maybe Dresden Blue.

The guys on the 301 garage....are getting some very respectable performance...out of the 301 turbos.....which I think is admirable....but prolly MORE hoops to jump through...than the average Pontiac guy wants to.......

I always felt that the 80-81 Turbo TA's are similar the fuel injected corvettes...of the mid 60's...

Everybody tossed the FI units in favor of bigger carbs,cams etc...

Hopefully a nostalgia trend...will help escalate the trans am values.....

I always liked them.....but the lure...of a 400/455 four speed usually drags me away..

I plan on trying this in the future.

I made 354hp and 511 tq on an engine dyno with a 301T. It wasn't all that exotic of a build.

www.ttaperformance.com

my opinion is that if they haven't peaked, they should pretty darn quickly.

Last I checked, the Turbo-SE cars were getting very good money.

I like them, don't get me wrong, but I don't believe they should be at or exceeding values for pre-1975 400/455 4bbl cars;
I think that non-SE Turbo Trans Am's should probably be comparable to non-SE 400/403 auto 75-79 cars...

This is all opinion of course;
but here's how I can best exemplify my opinion;

example #1:
1976 (non-SE) TA 455/4spd vs 1980 TTA SE
- I'd rather the 455/4spd car all day long.

example #2:
1976 TA 400/4spd vs 1980 TTA non-SE
- I'd rather the 400/4spd all day long.

I can see how some might want the SE-TTA over some others because they are a GREAT looking car, but done up bone stock, they are a cruiser, plain and simple.

The 76-81 cars have been climbing steadily. The 79-81 cars have been climbing at an alarming rate.

The Turbo cars aren't fast by today's standards, but compared to what was available when those cars were new, they were no slouch. Everybody compares them to the muscle cars of the 60s-70s, and it's really not fair. Also, the turbo cars were highway warriors, designed to be comfortable and handle well.

That said, you can do some things to a 301T that'll wake them up, and they'll make some good power while still looking stock.

I don't disagree with anything you said;
But I find it hard to NOT compare them to other second gen Firebirds - since they are for all intents and purposes the same car;
If someone is in the market for a second gen firebird/Trans Am, they probably look at them all - not just low compression years.

Owned and worked on a bunch of the 301T cars. Have a Pace Car currently. You can get a decent bump in power and driveability with 'bolt-ons' . Biggest part is the turbos getting worn and do-dads missing over the years that are actually beneficial to the electronics. 12 psi wakes them up. Not recommended w/o meth injection and other supporting mods. Will they beat the big inch motors, your minivan or truck, not really. But at least you'd look cool.