Okay. I can get a running Pontiac 455 backed by a Turbo 400 tranny for about $400. The guy who owns it claims that it's out of a 70 Firebird but I did research and none of the 70's came with a 455 so I am unsure of the year. It could possibly be a 400 but depending on year still have good HP and torque numbers. The motor is in a rust bucket 67 firebird now. I searched the boards and guys talked about having all the brackets? Are there different brackets that I would need than what is already there? This motor is complete and runs with all accesories now. Also, guys talked about how it is a very tight fit. I am prepared to get rid of everything like a/c, windshield washer fluid, etc. Emissions aren't a problem where I live. Will I need a new hood for it to fit or is the motor short enough it will fit as long as I stay with a relatively short air filter? Basically any info will help. A friends dad said he will help me make some motor mounts and I have about 4 experienced guys to help me with the swap. I plan on getting the motor and puttin in all new gaskets and bearings with a full tune up and maybe a new carb or rebuild the original one. The swap would not come until this winter when I have plenty of time for my car to be down. I need to jump on this motor soon so I can start the rebuild and before someone else gets it. Is $400 bucks worth the 335HP 430Ft/Lbs and the headaches? Also, if I get it I will sell my 85,000 mile L03 and perfect running 700R4 to help fund the project.

 

Where'd you get those numbers from? You gotta remember 1970 HP does not equal 2002 HP. Just another factor to consider.

 

Well, ponchos didn't come in SB BB flavors, the only had one block and that one block would still be a PITA to shove into a 3rd gen. If your serious about stuffing a BB in that car go with a chevrolet block. Easier and cheaper in the long run, adn you can buy BBC cores for $400 if you look.

 

well, I got those numbers because that is what some of the 400's came with in 1970 and I believe some of the 455's in 1971. By not being the same HP do you mean that over time the motor gets tired? The reason I was going to go with this motor is because I would get the good tranny to go with it and I know it runs. I wouldn't be able to afford to just get a core and buy everything to go with it. The guy who has the car now is out of work and needs money bad. Any other opinions? I was realy hopin this would work but its not lookin too good right now.

 

Thats what I suspected. Those old ratings were SAE gross hp, nowadays everything is SAE net hp. The old rating in the newer hp numbers would be around 250-270. Just giving you a heads-up not to use those numbers for reference. The TQ on Pontiacs in general is awesome though.

 

88 Iroc it is possible a guy by the name of Neal Owens (if I remember right) races a 455 powered 3rd generation trans am. I've been told that the third gen firebirds were originally desinged to take a 301 pontiac. I am going to be doing this in the near future once I get the engine together. The guy I bought the block and Nodular cranck from knows a couple guys who have done the swap and the hardest part is suppose to be the right (if I remeber may be the left) header. Headers must be custom built. A ton of people have told me that its impossible but I have seen a 87 with a 403 oldsmobile (79 outta a trans am) that a friend did but he ran manifolds so if you really want to it is possible just a ton of work and $. James

 

If you want some help on this go to WWW.Performanceyears.com they have a section that handles this and also I cannot remember who it is but I think either Kauffman racing or Jim butler has a thirdgen swap kit for putting pontiac motors into thirdgens. Good luck

 

Jack davis (Ontario, CA) makes headers, this is a popular swap for NHRA Super stock, as the Pontiac motors make great Torque and have a "softer" NHRA HP rating. I have a tall deck BBC in my car. If that will fit, a pontiac will. MAKE SURE it is a 455 (do some research) they all look the same externally, but a well built 455 is a torque monster. Tune up a set of later model 6X heads and you have a nice combination.