I've been driving an '86 Firebird as a daily driver for almost 2 years now. Its been a great car, never had any major problems. Compared to every other 3rd gen around here its definitely the best looking too. It has the super duty hood (I'm not a huge fan, but it does look pretty mean), its sunburst metallic orange, and until recently it had SLP's third gen wheels. It has a 305 with headers, edelbrock 650, very mild cam. A 700-r4 and a non-posi rear end complete the package. Overall the car has decent power, I've finally learned how to get a little more of that power to the road. But I'm definitely ready for an upgrade in the drivetrain (and a facelift after that.) I considered many different possibilities, but I've decided to go with a large pontiac motor. Most likely it will be a 455 but, I may build a 400. Assuming I get a 455, I'll probably not go much beyond a stock rebuild. I have a borgwarner super T10 that I might use in this car and I'll be installing a 4th gen rear end in the next few weeks. What I'm really wanting to find out is how fast this car will be. Assuming those numbers (400hp, 500tq) what could I potentially run in the 1/4? What kind of cars (stock) could I keep up with? Thanks Rex

Im not sure about the numbers because i have the same question myself (stroker 383 on 11:1 with FIRST if anyone wants to help me out too) however, Im not sure about the 4th gen rear-end. Ive heard even with the stock LS1's, if you launched the car, the rear can get destroyed. 400/500 is alot more than what an LS1 is putting out, so that rear-end is definitly in the danger zone.

Those are gross numbers. To the ground, probably 300/400 if that. It'll be torquey for sure though. But for the power to cost, a Pontiac might be expensive to build compared to a similar small block chevy.

I would definitely get sub frame connectors as you'll twist that car up pretty good. As stated above, the rear will eventually go. You can get an Aussie rear or aftermarket, either 12 bolt, 9 inch, or Dana 60. The Aussie rear will hold up for quite awhile though.

If you can hook without breaking, low-mid 12's shouldn't be a problem. I did 12.1 with my TTA dynoing at 318/455 to the wheels. That was on a 1.69 short time also.

I figured the rear probably wouldn't be a permanent solution. Currently I have a bent axle and I'm hoping to improve my ride quality for road trips this summer. I'm getting it from my brother in law (its out of an 94 formula I sold him) for just $50, so its no big deal to change it out later.

Regarding the power to cost ration, Im not sure which would be better. I know I can get a pontiac 455 for $150, which seems almost free. If I can get a good set of heads at a resonable price, I think the pontiac motor shouldn't cost to much. I might be able to get a 400 sbc for that same price, but I'd really like to have a pontiac car with a pontiac motor. I just think it will be a very fun project. I'm not familiar with Aussie rear ends. Honestly I have no idea what that is, but it sounds interesting.

Low to mid 12's would be awesome. A lot of people comment nicely on my car, I'm just glad they don't know how slow it is with that 305!

The Poncho block will be a bit of work. It's not a popular swap, so you'll need fully custom exhaust, and since they're between the size of a SBC and a BBC, you'll probably need a cowl hood as well. Dunno about motor mounts or anything like that either. But don't let that stop you if you really want to do it, just realize that the money you save on an engine will be more than paid for in custom fabrication and man-hours.

A 400 SBC bolts right in.

I was actually a fabricator in past life. All of the problems I've heard about so far seem minor. For exhaust I already wanted to use factory headers (RA IV manifolds) so that takes care of that problem. Motor mounts seem easy enough and a Ram Air or cowl hood was already planned for. Overall the fab work on this project seems fairly straight forward when compared another project I'm already working on ('67 Impala 4door hardtop, air ride suspension, 540ci)

Hey, You just up the road from me. LOL.

Are you building the motor or having a shop do it.

You can check out my combo in my sig and my best times at London Dragway.

I didn't know there were any other people from the area on here. Looks like you have a fast car. I've never been to the strip in London, but a few of my friends have. Do they have a 1/4 mile strip?

I'll probably have a shop set me up a good short block to my specs and then I'll be doing the rest.

Yeah, there are quiet a few KY guys on here.

They run 1/4 mile T&T and street race on friday night. 1/8 mile only on saturday.

What shop are you looking at?

I don't have a clue. I know of a few places around here, but have never had any work done. You sound like you have a suggestion

As far as shops, Morgan Motors here in London does a good job. Also Cornetts Machine shop in Somerset will build street or strip for you.

There are some local guys that build motor also, but they dont advertise.

pontiac in a pontiac is a great thing! something ive always thought about. maybe another project.. anyway, why a stock rebuild? a 400 with an agressive cam and worked heads, edelbrock intake. would be a tq monster. why go through all that trouble. if you are going to be building a motor. why not load it up with goodies the first time around. and to my knowledge edelbrock does make pontiac heads, cams, intakes, and i think even headers. horse power tv actually did an episode on a 400 pontiac build for a 69 t/a they made very high hp/tq numbers, i dont remeber exacly what they were though.

I'm considering a stock build because it would no doubt be the cheapest and because the numbers seem to be more than adequate for what is my daily driver. I do want to build the bottom end very strong though and leave myself the option of upgrading the power in the future. But the Impala is my #1 project right now and I need to focus most of my intention and money into it. I do have the rear end in my garage and I have a date set to go to a pull-a-part to look for a motor.

Run by Davis Salvage and see if he has a Vortec truck motor. Slap on a intake and carb and go.

I considered getting a 6.0 iron shortblock, new L92 heads, intake and carb. But that wouldn't be a Pontiac and wouldn't even come close to the torque potential of the 400 or 455 (although the HP numbers would be very high).