Help with 350 Swap!?!?!?

[jisturm]

I am new to the T/A bug. My wife and I have a 80 Turbo T/A. I have read some of the posts and was wondering how difficult it would be to swap out the 301 turbo for a Chev 350. I have seen a few cars that swaped for a 455 but I want the 350. I am rather new at working with Pontiacs. I have also heard that a 350 will require a hood change from the turbo hood. If so do any of you know what hood I can use? I could really use any help you may be able to offer.
How easy is it to swap?
What special needs will I have to address?
I live in VA so what about emissions? (the car has to pass emissions for the next 2 years but it is not road worthy now because it has no smog equip.)
Please help!!
If I can figure out how to go about it, I will be selling the engine we have now and possibly other parts to help finance this project. The car has 64K Miles on it.

 

[mr.turbota]

Well, for one thing, you will probally need a Chevy engine harness! I believe that the starters and such are on different sides of the Pontiac engine.
Also, you would need a Chevy bellhousing! The Pontiac one should fit other Pontiac engines.
It may be easier to swap in a Pontiac engine.
You might even have to change the motor mounts, although I am not sure.
Try:
http://www.transamcountry.com

Ask over there!
If you don't want a hood scoop, you can probally use the Turbo hood! That would make a sleeper!

Good luck,

George :twisted:

 

[jisturm]

Thanks mrturbo. What pontiac engines would you suggest. I really don't want a scoop on the hood. I like sleepers.

 

[mr.turbota]

Hi again!
Of coarse I would start off with the 455 engine! Best torque! Next, would be a 400 engine, and you can always use a 350 engine. All Pontiac of coarse! A Chevy 350 will have more power than a Pontiac 350, but either way, any engine will give you more power!
All these engines should clear the under hood clearence with no problems.
The big problem I see would be passing smog. I don't know what your state requires. In California, I can only go with what engines came in the car that year!

Good luck,

George

 

[mr.turbota]

Hi yet again!
great to see you over on the other website for the second gens! I forgot about the fuel lines! Doh!!!!
Hope they answer all your questions!!!

See ya,

George :twisted:

 

[jisturm]

Thanks mrturbota. I saw your post on the other site too. I think VA has like the second or third highest standards for emissions but I am going to talk to some people about what I can and can't do.

Thanks Jason
SGT

 

[92turboed]

how much are you selling the turbo engine? abd are you selling the tranny as well?

 

[WS6]

This is really a straight forward swap, but may I suggest using a Pontiac 350 instead of a Chevy 350. HPP just did a great article about a stroker kit for the plentiful Pontiac 350's.
Pontiac 350s are just about give away engines these days and if visit http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/ classified section you can probably buy everything you need.

And using you existing 301 brackets(PS,Alt, etc.) and motor mounts your harness will be virtually the same as far as length and hook up. You'll need 350-455 log style exhaust manifolds and headpipes from any 74 and back Firebird. Your battery tray will be on the same side, the radiator will hook right up and so on. Any Pontiac 4 bbl air cleaner will fit under that hood or even a flat, base model Firebird hood. I did this exact swap on an 80 turbo that I bought that had a lunched bottom end. The 301 is just a short deck version of the traditional Pontiac engine, but just about all the externals will bolt right up to any 350/400/455 engine.

In fact here's a friend of mine down around Blacksburg,VA [email protected] his name is Larry and he's VA's foremost authority on 80,81 Turbo /Pace car Trans ams. Tell him Rich passed his name along.


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