Hey everyone,
So today I test drove an 87 Z28 with a TPI 350 and a t56 that I'm interested in buying. The car drove pretty nice, engine runs well, trans feels great, and it's affordable but there is (what I think) may be some kind of problem.

The engine revs up smoothly but, compared to what I've felt in other third gen cars, this motor revs up extremely quickly and with no pedal feel. I've driven a friend's 91 z28 and the pedal felt somewhat heavy and moved smoothly without jerking the car around when easing into the throttle. Another thing is that the engine revs, compared to what I had felt before, extremely quickly. A quick blip of the throttle sends it near redline almost immediately. This car, with how light and disconnected the gas pedal feels, is nearly impossible to take off gently without bucking the car back and forth. A friend drove the car and also felt the same things.

Can these things be corrected (maybe some kind of spring on the throttle linkage or pedals) or is this just how this car is and something I'd have to deal with if I buy this car?

Anyone's quick response would be greatly appreciated in case these are minor things that can be fixed easily so that I don't miss out on this car.

Thanks,
Colin

 

Hard to say, but my 350TPI throttle doesn't feel overly light & doesn't rev to redline without even trying. Maybe your return spring is really worn out & offers very little resistance to foot pressure on the pedal?

 

Might have a lightweight flywheel in it.

 

Yeah Im thinking the same thing.
I not 100% sure but the clutch assmbly is prolly a bit lighter than the tq converter full of fluid..

 

Thirded, for an engine to "rev faster" it has to have moving parts lightened, stiffer valve springs also do that a bit (i think)

And since you say its got a T56 in it, it might have some other stuff done to it as well (i've never seen a someone drop a T56 in a thirdgen and leave everything else stock)

 

Im not sure i understand what you guys are saying? that the flywheel and the gas pedal is attached some way? His problem is the gas pedal feels none exsistant. It could have something to do with the pedal assembly, and cable assembly to the throttle body being that it is a t56 in a third gen or the throttle body.

Did you talk to the owner about it if so has it always been that way? before and after the swap?

 

Regardless of how the pedal feels, the pedal is opening the throttle and if the throttle opening causes motor to rev very quickly, it has lightweight rotating parts bolted to the motor and a good tune.

This means light flywheel, lightweight underdrive pullies/etc. Air fuel and timing is spot on.

I'd say this is a very good thing. You can tune the response out if you want but I think its good to have quick feel. Now you just need to check the gas pedal linkage to the throttle body to see how much pedal travel results in throttle body opening. If its just wayto sensitive I can see it being harder to drive but it will require more clutch pedal feel

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, but it turns out the guy sold the car within the hour after I got done test driving it so I guess it doesn't matter too much. It will help to know what to look for and ask about on the next one I test drive.

Thanks,
Colin