Need some advice. I sold my 1989 IROC a couple years ago and now picked up an 82 Trans Am. The TA has 50,000 miles and is bone stock. It has 14 wheels and drives like a sedan. Nowhere near what the IROC, that was stock as well, could do. I know I need to replace the shocks, but, all else is in good shape. I'm looking to improve the handling. I was at the yard this weekend and picked up a 36 in hollow front sway bar and a 24 in rear bar. My question is, if I install these bars and some KYBs, how would the car handle if I run 15 wheels as compared with 16s?

 

Better.

Not as good as 16s, let alone, any kind of modern size.

Not least, because there's no longer any such thing as "performance" tires for one of these cars in 15" sizes. There's mighty few, if even any, left in 16". But no "performance" cars that weigh anywhere near 3500 lbs have come with such tiny wheels for many decades now, consumer tastes having shifted so much in the meantime; cars are lighter and wheels are larger, and modern tires reflect that. About all you can get is off-brand stuff like BF Goodrich or Pep Boys, nothing of any real quality. (Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone, etc.) Since you're buying wheels anyway, go larger so you can get decent tires.

 

You consider BF Goodrich off brand? Really?

 

Yup... GARBAGE. One-piece carcass POS.