Pontiac 455 swap. sooooo much fun. - Page 2 - Engine Swap - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Purple82TA · 09-11-2004, 10:43 PM

Nice!

This is something i've been thinking about lately since my T/A is DOA..

my questions:

How much different are the engine mounts? any issues with anything there?

any other clearance issues? How much is the weight difference? my car allready sits too hight in the front.. lol this might be a nice way to lower it as well as gain a 500HP beast

the final Question...

If i find a Stock 455.. what am i looking at to get it close to 500 HP. i allready know i'm gonna have to toss in a decent cam, intake probably a 750 or bigger carb, headers and maybe a bit of P&P.. anything else ?

Thanks,
Dave

Kross4031 · 09-12-2004, 08:57 AM

i bought the motor mounts from potiaction racing and had to make a plate to move the trans mount back 3 1/2 inches. i used a trans mount from the 77 trans am that i had. the stock manifolds dump in the same location as the original 350 did. there is no clearance problems except for the hood. the distributor is about 2 inches from the firewall. as far as what it takes to get 500 h.p.. well to each his own. mine is bored .030 over, a big streetable cam, holly 750 double pumper, and an edelbrock performer rpm manifold. not a whole lot of mods, but it makes 460 h.p. and that is enough for me ... for now.

Purple82TA · 09-12-2004, 09:44 AM

Sweet!

Thanks for the info!

I allready swapped out my 200R for a TH400 so i wonder of the new location of my crossmember is the same as yours... that would be handy

Thanks again,
Dave

Kross4031 · 09-12-2004, 10:09 AM

not sure. i didn't move the crossmember ... i wanted something that would go into another third gen fairly easy.

Purple82TA · 09-12-2004, 10:32 AM

here is the difference in mine...

[img]http://whitelightning2.kicks-***.org/photoshopped/crossmember.jpg[/img]

it's about 3 or 4 inches back from the stock mount

Kross4031 · 09-12-2004, 10:52 AM

here is mine in the stock location.

Kross4031 · 09-12-2004, 10:53 AM

the plate that i made

Kross4031 · 09-12-2004, 10:53 AM

the torque are that i used

300hpse · 09-15-2004, 11:22 AM

nice driveshaft loop

, is the car running yet?

Kross4031 · 09-15-2004, 07:02 PM

it runs ... just not driving yet .. driveshaft is too short ... haven't found someone who will modify it cheap enough yet.

Purple82TA · 09-15-2004, 07:25 PM

IIRC i paid like $200 to have mine done. all they did was cut the stock one and weld the front of the Suburban DS to it.. then balance it

Kross4031 · 09-15-2004, 07:44 PM

the best price i have so far is 275$ to cut the ends off and weld in a new tube. some people i have talked to say this is too expensive... but it seems to be the going rate round here.

88TPI406GTA · 09-16-2004, 04:39 PM

This is a neat swap...

Have you thought about calling someone like Denny's Driveshafts or Inland Empire for a quote?

I wouldn't pay $275 for a redone stockish steel driveshaft...if that was the only option, I would rather spend a bit more and get a custom made one.

Kross4031 · 09-16-2004, 04:51 PM

it breaks my heart but i am putting this monster up for sale... got to save the house. i can post more pics if any of you out there might be interested. i have over 5000$ in the motor/trans and other misc. parts. full set of auto meter phantom instrumentation. you can reach me at kross40@comcast.net.

cam- · 09-16-2004, 04:59 PM

I didn't read everything here but the early third gens with a TH350 or TH250? had longer driveshafts which should work as the TH350 and TH400 are the same length. All you will need is the bigger yoke and a conversion u joint. Should be able to nail one of those shafts at a wrecker for next to nothing. Nice swap man. Pontiacs are great engines IMO.

Kross4031 · 09-16-2004, 05:08 PM

thanks to everyone for the great responses. i did not expect such an outpouring of support and enthusiasm. it's been great chatting with you all.

cam- · 09-16-2004, 05:44 PM

Purple82TA · 09-16-2004, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 87roc_t56
I didn't read everything here but the early third gens with a TH350 or TH250? had longer driveshafts which should work as the TH350 and TH400 are the same length. All you will need is the bigger yoke and a conversion u joint. Should be able to nail one of those shafts at a wrecker for next to nothing. Nice swap man. Pontiacs are great engines IMO.

my '82 came with a 200R, we had to cut a bit off the DS for it to work with the TH400...

1983Fbody · 09-17-2004, 06:24 PM

That car looks like it would be a blast to drive, sorry you are looking to sell it... even more sorry I don't have the money to consider buying it!

B4Ctom1 · 09-23-2004, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kross4031
the torque are that i used

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/atta...postid=1999199

can you tell us something of the torquearm and setup you used, it looks like one for a 4th gen. Is it? what is it? I have seen it before I just don't remember where.

I had a caddy 472 I considered doing this once, I was going to use a TH350 though.

considering that if a 9 or 10 second foot brake drag car can use a th350 without failure then, hey why couldnt a 12 or 13 second car right?

Kross4031 · 09-23-2004, 05:12 PM

it's a jegster torque arm from jeggs.

flyitlikustolit · 09-26-2004, 10:34 PM

And I figured out how to get 455. the bore on a 400 poncho is 4.12 . the bore on a 455 pon cho is 4.15 . the stroke and main journal size is the bigger difference. but i found a stroker crank on ebay with pistons and all for it. also, since the whole long block, and exhaust manifolds, came from an early 70's GTO, I'm thinking 90% sure they're 6X8 heads... which means really low compression with the pistons i want. I'll keep you posted on the blower i buy. also, I'd like some more info on the brakcets you had to make, Kross. I'll send more info tomorrow.

flyitlikustolit · 10-03-2004, 09:15 PM

I'm really glad i traded somebody tires i didn't need for that "400". it turned out to be a 350. the heads say "6x" on em, but i didn't see any 4 or 8 anywhere, just a "gm3" on the right side. what does this mean? also, is there any point to building a poncho 350? I'm pretty dissappointed right now, but it's no biggy. at least i have a bunch of spare stuff, like accessories and a timing cover. wish me luck. we'll see whta happens.

screaminformula · 10-03-2004, 09:35 PM

hey, at least it ain't a 305...

Josh

Kross4031 · 10-04-2004, 03:54 PM

i know of a 389 pontiac if anyone is interested. needs to be gone thru. the guy wants 200$. i'll check if he still has it if someone wants it.

SOLID LIFTER · 10-08-2004, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyitlikustolit
it turned out to be a 350. the heads say "6x" on em, but i didn't see any 4 or 8 anywhere.

You'll have to scuff the small "pad" that I have circled in red with a peice of sand paper that's where the 4/8 cc code will be stamped in with a punch.

birdlvr · 10-25-2004, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyitlikustolit
I'm really glad i traded somebody tires i didn't need for that "400". it turned out to be a 350. the heads say "6x" on em, but i didn't see any 4 or 8 anywhere, just a "gm3" on the right side. what does this mean? also, is there any point to building a poncho 350? I'm pretty dissappointed right now, but it's no biggy. at least i have a bunch of spare stuff, like accessories and a timing cover. wish me luck. we'll see whta happens.

What r u gonna do with the 350?
If you want to get rid of it ,call me @ 770-446-9909 or 904-838-1207
Daryl

LT1guy · 10-28-2004, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyitlikustolit
I'm really glad i traded somebody tires i didn't need for that "400". it turned out to be a 350. the heads say "6x" on em, but i didn't see any 4 or 8 anywhere, just a "gm3" on the right side. what does this mean? also, is there any point to building a poncho 350? I'm pretty dissappointed right now, but it's no biggy. at least i have a bunch of spare stuff, like accessories and a timing cover. wish me luck. we'll see whta happens.

That sucks dude. I'd sell the 350, and go to Pull-A-Part off Moreland and get a 400 or 455 short block. Thats where I got my 455 shortblock ($50), and my TH400 ($50). If you want to be sure of what you're getting, there are markings on the side of the block but they're sometimes hard to see. Just pull off the intake and valley pan, and look down in the lifter valley. "50" is 350, "00" is 400, "55" is 455. You should be able to easily find a 400 or 455. My 455 was in a Pontiac Grand Prix SJ, but they're fairly common in the big cars.

SOLID LIFTER · 10-28-2004, 07:05 PM

Quote: