Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
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A Buick has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Caddys. Small and Big block Chev's have their own bolt patterns.
A Buick isn't a BBC.
To use any of the BOP engines, you need a transmission with the proper bellhousing bolt pattern. After that it's just the typical swap issues such as engine mounts, exhaust etc.
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Hardtail Racing
All engine, no power adders! Bests: 9.029@150.45 (at altitude)
Theoretical sea level performance 8.623@157.05
I also have a big block buick in my '83 camaro. I used a 430. I put it in along with the mating buick TH-400. I did the install a while back(~2002) and it's just been sitting since. I've been collecting some more parts for it and need to get back to it! I think one of the first parts I want to add in is a spohn torque arm and trans crossmember for a th-400.
I have the article about magilla's car. At the time of the feature, he was using stock exhaust manifolds. To use the factory torque arm setup, he used an adapter to a 700R-4. If you go to an aftermarket torque arm setup, then you could use a 200-4R. If you want a manual trans, you're just about locked into either using the adapter plate between your Buick block and a Chevy trans, or else doing a custom hydraulic clutch release setup.
Yep, I have my eye on that McLeod bellhousing for my Pontiac V8 third gen. I have to run my beefed up 5 speed so it seems like a nice fit.
I guess we have to make a slave cylinder bracket to run it, but that shouldn't be too bad.
I'll post pics when I get the setup working, it will be a while because I am still deployed...
Good luck on the 430 Camaro! I have run a few 430 engines and they are not too bad at all. I do recommend plugging the oil holes in the block that feed the cylinder heads and then the valve train and using 70-76 455 lifters and hollow pushrods. That seems to oil the top end better. Also don't forget to do the front cam bearing mod! I have already destroyed one Buick BB by not knowing what that was!
A Buick has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Caddys. Small and Big block Chev's have their own bolt patterns.
A Buick isn't a BBC.
To use any of the BOP engines, you need a transmission with the proper bellhousing bolt pattern. After that it's just the typical swap issues such as engine mounts, exhaust etc.
every time i see your car i get a hard on ... is that a good thing ?
I also have a big block buick in my '83 camaro. I used a 430. I put it in along with the mating buick TH-400. I did the install a while back(~2002) and it's just been sitting since. I've been collecting some more parts for it and need to get back to it! I think one of the first parts I want to add in is a spohn torque arm and trans crossmember for a th-400. I have a few pictures here:
McLeod makes a few bellhousings for the BB-buick for adapting other transmissions to it.
This particular one is for mating a T-56 to a BB-buick: Link
Do you know how this works????
Ive done months and months of research on this, and everything leads back to the keisler conversion package for a TKO transmission. (5spd).
Mating a t56 to a BOP pattern, and getting the hydraulics to work is not hard. But what the heck do you use for a flywheel or clutch? I dont think anyone makes one for the conversion.....
I maybe wrong though as i primarily researched for the LT1 design.... Do you have any insight?
McLeod will make the flywheel for 500 bucks. You can use whatever clutch setup you specify, so if you want a BB Buick V8 to run an LT1 clutch, that's what you gotta do.
I had them draw up a 5.7 diesel flywheel for me (since GM wasn't nice enough to do it for me first) and it was a nice piece. Pricey, but nice.
If you're gonna keep the car, this is what you do. If you're building the car to sell, go a different way.
did you provide them the measurements? Or an engine or anything? Or did you just call em up and asked what you wanted?
I have already sold my buick.... Will get back into one if i can sell my firebird. However, a freind of mine is looking desperately for a transmission that doesnt cost $5000.... He drives an olds.
So would he simply call up McLeod and ask them to make him an LT1/or LS1 T56 flywheel for a McLeod clutch?
As for the "pricey", most flywheels run about $300 or so.
The centerforce conversion peice for the Gen 1 SBC to a T56 originally came about by someone custom ordering it. It cost $500 for the guy who had it custom made for him. Since now that its mass produced because it has become so popular, it still goes for about $420.... As i found out with my T56 conversion.
So for an olds or a buick custom flywheel being $500, thats a pretty good deal .
I had to mail them my old automatic flexplate so that they had a reference for the right ring gear and balance weights; they made the new manual trans flywheel for the clutch pattern I wanted and then put my ring gear on the new flywheel.
I was happy, except for the price! Good workmanship, though.
Will get back into one if i can sell my firebird. However, a freind of mine is looking desperately for a transmission that doesnt cost $5000.... He drives an olds.
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