I got a line on an oldsmobile 455 motor. Where can I find a transmision that will bolt on to it? Are there companies that sell them or do I just have to find someone who has one? Thanks!

 

Any BOP V8 trans will bolt up to it.

 

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what is a BOP?

 

Buick Olds Pontiac

 

Find you a BOP th400... best tranny ever made

 

Is this a smart idea? I am 17 years old, and I have always wanted a Camaro with a big V8 in it. I got connection to get it put in, and even pass inspection with some not entirly leagal exhaust. I dont know how much a tranny would cost. My main concern is the trouble I would have getting the motor under the hood? Is it easily done or does it take a lot of work? Thanks

 

Probably not.

While there were some Olds and Pontiac and Buick motors that were extremely good runners, competitive with anything else on the street, the huge majority of them were big bulky heavy gas-guzzling pigs, just as pitiful as mid-70s Chevy 350s were. There are people on this board that have been building these other motors for a long time, and have lots of experience with their specific parts choices, and access to the fast parts or collections of them built up, who will surely tell you all about what a great motor it "could" be if only you got this set of heads or that intake or whatever, and they're probably right. But you'll find that if you have to go out into the real world as just a random member of the general public, you won't be able to find them easily, and in case you do, they'll cost you so much that even if you got the motor for free, you will spend more on making it equal to a Chevy 350 and then putting it in your car than you would have if you went to the dealer and bought a new 350; and in the end, not go a whole lot faster (if any) in exchange for all your trouble.

A BOP Turbo 400 is identical internally to a Chevy 400, the only difference is the bolt pattern on the front of case. There's absolutely nothing special about them. Having been around Turbo 400s for.... well, almost their entire existence, I can tell you the best one to get is one out of a late-70s early-80s Pepsi truck. They (Pepsi, and no one else) bought a special version of it, to go in what was essentially a C30 pickup truck with a gooseneck trailer attachment, from the factory; those are the guts to get. Different ratios, straight-cut gears. They'll go into any 400 case of course.

In short, if you don't have experience with this sort of thing, then no, it's not a smart idea at all. If you have to ask, it's a mistake.

 

good info on the Pepsi truck, will check into that.
Thanks

 

I am doing that EXACT same thing right now. I am dropping an Oldsmobile 455, from a '76 Toronodo, into my '86 Firebird. I'm at the point now where the motor is about ready to drop into the car except, I'm having space problems. (And lack of $$$) I just pulled my AC and brake booster, which will be about the only way to do it, and I'm still looking for a set of headers that will work but I'm probably going to have to have someone make me a custom pair. My motor is great, it's making around 520 HP and 580 lbs. of torque but because of that power I had to get a new rear end, my 700 R4 has a stage 3 shift kit in it now and HARDENED internals, new driveshaft, better sway bar, pan hard bar, well it's got a new rear end. I've spent nearly $8,000 so far and the motor isn't even in it yet. My recomendation for you, because I'm way to commited to pull back now, is to spend the money on a built 383, it'll be MUCH cheaper, and probably just as fast in the long run. OR go with a 454, since there is an after market allready developed for them in a third gen, but don't go with the Olds. I really like the motor, it's real strong but it's SO expensive and a VERY PAINFUL process to get it to work. E-mail me if you have any other questions.
John
jharms4prez@yahoo.com

 

I have a Pontiac expert up the road here that builds trans. He can build you a Pontiac T-400 that will give you whiplash for reasonably priced. Let me know if you need his info.

 

Thank you for all the info. This motor is out of an early 70's olds. It was rebuilt about a year ago and has about 1500 miles on it. It has a HO cam on it now and makes about 450 hp. My main problem is that I have a lack of mechanical knowlege when it comes to working on my car. I am also only 17 years old with a limited income. I got about $600 saved up and that is obviously no where near what I would need to acomplish this. I am curently looking into purchasing a different motor for under 1000 bucks and replacing my worn out 305 TBI. Its just to weak for the sled I got. Ive comtemplated doing all the mods to that motor but it just doesnt make sense to spend $1000 bucks on a motor that is small and has 108000 miles on it. So now my question is, where and how can I find a nice 350 or 383 that will drop in perfect without having to replace my trany? I have looked on ebay a lot, but I dont trust them as much as I would a known company that sells these things as primary business. I got about $1000 to work with. I also got a line on a 1980 trans am with a 76 z28 350 4bbl in it. Guy wants $2000 for it. Thanks for all the help fellas!

Brian

 

No such thign as a 76 Z28.... that RPO was discontinued after 74, then revived in late 77.

Any Chevrolet 350 (or 383) will drop in without requiring a transmision swap. Depending on your budget, anything from the Goodwrench 350 on up might be a suitable choice; or check around with engine builders and machine shops in your area, se what they have to offer, just don't go with the cheeeeepest one you can find; TBI will create a signficant limitation to how much power you can get, and what you can do, and how hoard it will be to get it to run right, but can work OK if planned for properly. Obviously if you decide to put some other indutcion on it, be prepared for some expense and work to make the swap.

 

You're a smart man for not going for the 455 build up in you camaro, especially with such a limited budget. (I wish I had listened to others) If you own that 455 can't you sell it to someone for some $$$ for your next build? Also, if your 305 is still running, I would keep it awhile until you raise more funds for a more suitable engine. Good luck!

 

I think I am going to sell the Camaro and buy the Trans AM. It seems like every time I turn around something is going wrong with my car. The day after I bought it the clutch started slipping, so there went $400 bucks. Then I had to have a front end allignment. Syncronizer in the gears arnt rolling over right. Then I wrecked it! New headlight, Hood, and Fender, and another front end allignment, now the ignition switch went out last week. Oh yea I forgot about the power stearing leak. Ive fixed all of this and hopefully I can get about $2300 for it, but I dont think I have the pockets deep enough to pay for an engine swap because I will have to pay someone to do it all and if it takes a couple weeks to do it then Ill spend more in labor than I will on the motor.

 

If you're going to get rid of your Camaro make sure the Trans Am you want has a 350. (It'll save you time, $$$, and frustration in the future if it does.)