Huzzah! Can't wait! The process has started. Wish I could give this a go myself but I just don't have the room. Have a shop taking out my tired old 305 and putting in a 385 Fast Burn crate engine from GM Performance. Everyone here has been so helpful in what I should do (or shouldn't hehe!) and offer helpful suggestions.

I was in today and was very giddy seeing my engine sitting there waiting to get dropped in. It's been a 10 year wait, and it's finally happening! I was going to take pictures of it but they still kept it covered up for me in it's plastic wrapping. The place I'm working with loves REALLY old cars and going hot rod style with them (ie 1930's). He's an eccentric ol' dutchman (I think, judging from his last name hehe!) and wears an ol leather hat.

Soon as I get some decent looks at the engine I'll post pics of the progress. Still have to order my Torque Converter from Edge.

 

congrats to you! I have never had this done--which is good and bad.

Upgraded your radiator?

 

Not yet, will see how she runs since the rad is pretty much new. Can do stuff like that myself. Hopefully won't need it but I know i'm fooling myself hehe!

 

I am just thinking that all that HP your new engine will produce--your stock rad (how old is it anyways) might not be up to the task.

Have fun--you'll enjoy the power

 

Hehe! I agree with you, especially in the middle of summer. I replaced it before it was parked so it sat, with fluids in, for 4 years in my garage. I imagine some corrosion/clogging might take place but I don't think it'll be much. When I took it to the shops the needle never passed 1/4 of the way up.

Ordered my torque converter today from Edge, and you guys are right. Andre's a good guy, but he also said he has most of you on the payroll hehe!

 

Ok! Progess still going, hoping to get some pics tonight on the way home. But of course there are some snags, as expected.

[1] Need some sort of Fuel Rail for the 750cfm Holley, any ideas?

[2] Need Throttle Linkages, Detent Cable/Cruise. Is there a kit available for this?

And an update for the exhaust manifolds. They didn't fit the new engine. Apparently the flanges are too wide and the valve covers get in the way. So the 2055's will be arriving sooner rather than later hehe!

 

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku


http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

You should be able to use the bracket that holds the throttle cable housings from the LG4.

 

Thanks five7,

The first link looks like what I need.

But I was talking with my guy just now and he says he needs the clips that go on the end of the cables, apparently there are some permanently attached to the original carb and needs something to use for the new carb. I think he's talking about those eyelet type clips.

Also, I read from Holley's site that there is warnings on some carbs they may not work with overdrive transmissions? My mechanic hasn't mentioned a warning but it is a cause for concern for me hehe.

Holley says "The warning was placed with the carb because if not installed properly with the correct transmission kickdown bracked for the GM 700R4 it will result in premature tranny failure. part number 20-95 and the kickdown mounting stud part 20-40 will allow the proper adjustment of the cable."

Is that the second link you sent me?

 

Yes. Don't just clip the TV cable to the carb. Your transmission won't be happy with you. The Holley part number didn't come up on Summit's search, but you shouldn't need the 20-95.

 

Thanks! I browsed around and found the other stuff he was talking about, paid a visit last night and he was taking about the Throttle studs, not the loops at the end of the cables.

Oddly enough when I asked Holley the same question they said :

Was nice to see my engine out and the new one ready to go in. Took some pics. Stupid camera had most of them fuzzy but I got one good one, and thats my girl in the background up on the lift hehe:

 

Please pay attention to those exhaust ports. Very few headers properly fit those ports.

I know, I had a set of FastBurns.

And I had a set of SLP 1-3/4" headers. The headers covered up about 1/4" of the top of the exhaust port.

There are ways around that. The proper headers or re-drilling your bolt holes in the headers and "moving" them up on the head.

Either way, if not taken care of, you could EASILY lose a bunch of power.

Just my

jms

 

Good to know, thanks. I have been talking with JetHot about getting their set of 2055's and I've told him precisely what engine it is so it better fit hehe!

 

Hmmm, that carb mounts up higher than I thought. You might want the 20-95 bracket after all, since it bolts to the carb base.

20-121 is the p/n that I didn't find (didn't take the time to find).

 

I thought the same thing when I saw it, I think i'm going to have hood issues unless the drop base of the RamAirBox can clear all those arms and links. Just off the top of my head the edelbrock intake sat lower and was level or just a wee bit higher than the valve covers. That one looks a good inch - inch and a half (give or take) higher.

Guess we'll see!

 

Listen to jms about the headers. 2055HKR's won't cut it without modification.

 

So I'm back to figuring out which those might be hehe! Any suggestions?

 

I know Hedman makes D-port headers, p/n's 68469 & 68479, but I couldn't tell you if they'll cover the Fast Burn ports.

 

Thanks all!

I've contacted all parties involved to see what they all say about fitment and recommended changes as well as your recommendations!

Edit: Just did a search using the magic words in the right order and found even more info hehe! Love this site!

( https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exha...n+headers+fast )

Hopefully having 1 3/4" Primaries will do the trick, regardless of make. Will ask for sure before ordering. I've asked for dimensions for the ports/bolts/valve cover from GM so lets see if they respond.

 

Try this: Take a piece of paper and pencil and trace any one of your exaust ports AND the surrounding bolt holes.

Then draw a horizontal line from one bolt hole to the other.

Then measure how much of the opening is above the line and how much is below the horizontal line.

Then draw a round 1-3/4" opening with a horizontal line directly through the center.

Now compare the two drawings.

You will see the difference when you compare the locations of the bolt holes versus the opening.

Also notice the area below the port opening on the FastBurn. The flat machined area gets awfully close to not having enough sealing material when the header is bolted with regular 1-3/4" tubes.

See this thread and Post #11 where I placed pictures:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-...d-missing.html
Look into this closely.

My 1-3/4" SLP headers DID NOT fit correctly on my FastBurn heads. The top 1/4" of the 'D' port (layed over on the flat of the D) was blocked by about 1/4" of the top of the header tube and flange.

Yes, the engine will run. But if you have not already purchased the headers, save yourself the problem I was facing by going ahead and buying the PROPER fitting headers.

Just trying to save you 40-50 horses or more when it won't cost you that much more to get them all.

jms

 

Fyrstorm, The stock rad will flow fine, I have had my engine in for just over a year and about 4500 hard driven miles, never had a problem, just make sure you get a good fuel pressure regulator, i had problems with that for a while and also you may have the rig the fans to turn on with the ignition to keep enough air flowing to the motor. Other than that no problems, I love it i hope you enjoy it just as much...
----------
Im also running hedman shorty's and they just cleared with enough space, custom bending the y pipe may be in order.

 

Just running the answer I got from Jet Hot about the 2055 heads by you guys. Even though they are not 1.75" (from what I could find) primaries, he said they'd stilll fit. But I understand the concern, big ports should have big primaries.

 

Ummm, I don't think he's as familiar with Fast Burn heads as he thinks he is.

 

Never thought headers would take up this much discussion

No answer from the dealership where I got it for any suggestions on headers. Guess I'll have to call. Nice to have options hehe, just emailed summit to compare the part numbers you gave and if there were any other options.

 

Was at the shop today, and the new heart is in! Getting closer to getting her back on the road for the spring!

I've settled on these headers after much discussion with someone at Summit:

Hedman Headers 66479. But they won't be here till mid april. The shop fellow said he could fashion up some temp y-pipes until I find out if the Hedman Y-Pipe will mate up. They won't be mandrel bent (unless pipe benders do that, haven't used one so I have no idea).

Gettin more excited hehe! Now if only this snow would melt! (Still have 5ft of snow on the front lawn!!!)

edit: forgot to mention that upon first look - it doesn't look that much higher than the stock but we'll see once the hood is tried on. The stem for the center nut is really long, I might be able to get away with that air box from RamAirBox mention earlier on in another thread. Once it's done I'll summarize in this thread what I had to do.

 

I'm putting in a 385 that I'm building myself. My biggest dillema is whether or not to go with a roller cam or not. I'm told that the stroker will not clear a regular cam and I will need a "small base circle " cam! Rollers are soooooo freakin expensive($300) and the lifters are $400!

 

It's getting warmer out! hehe! I've picked up a magnaflow cat and magnaflow cat back to get on there. Now if only the blasted headers would arrive. They were supposed to arrive today at Summit but I just checked again and it's been pushed over to April 11th. Argh!



Was hoping to get her out by the end of April.

bodeen70 - you mean a 383 or 385? I'm no expert but I hear rollers are the way to go if given the choice.

 

Apparently it's "all in"! I am supposed to pick her up tonight, and the hood actually closes with the tall air filter on there - but it is tight. I might be able to get away with trimming back the insulation mat to see if that clears the hood. Until I get the RamAirBox kit at least, or make something myself.

Wonder what the neighbours will think when I bring home the thunder hehe! I know one guy will be very interested cause he's got a fixed up Mustang of about the same year, I'm guessing it's around an 85. Double square inset headlights up front.

 

Aaaaaaaaaaand she's home!!! Wow. All I can say is..... wow! hehe!

I got her home and she's sitting nicely in my driveway, content to be back. There was a lot of talk at the shop about hearing it once it was done, and I had an audience when I left the place hehe! I pulled up behind a fellow that waited to hear it start and idle, and had left just before I pulled out, he was going straight and I was making a right. He rolled down his passenger window and said "Sounds great!!" and away we went hehe!

Never driven a car with this much power. I don't have the subframe connectors on her yet either, so I don't want to go tooooo crazy hehe! The mechanic that took it out for a run to make sure it's driveable mentioned that I should be careful if I'm really pushing it and it changes gears (automatic), he said both tires lit up hehe!

Anyway, I'm enjoying what I've wanted to do since my teens and now I can get at the rest of her. Here's some shots I took tonight, and a vid (not the greatest vid, it's always windy by us hehe!). Excuse the dirt, she's been in the shop for 4 months and got reaaaaaally dirty. Supposed to rain so letting nature get the worst of it off, the paint condition is horrid as well. Not sure if I want to paint first or do the interior first:

Magnaflow Muffler & Cat
http://chasingcyclones.com/wow/MagnaflowMuffler.jpg

385 Sitting Pretty
http://chasingcyclones.com/wow/385FastBurnEngineBay.jpg

Artsy Fartsy Shot (Currently my desktop hehe!)
http://chasingcyclones.com/wow/DownTheRoadShot.jpg

Short Vid,
Rev and Tailpipe sound @ idle

 

^ Very nice and clean install, engine bay looks neat and uncluttered. Have fun w/her....

 

Yes, looks like the shop paid attention to detail, which is pretty rare.

I'd guess you have more rubber fuel line than will pass NHRA tech inspection, not sure if that's an issue for you.

They used a TV cable corrector bracket on the throttle arm, correct?

Looks nice, and ditto the "enjoy".

 

I believe so, I supplied the TV bracket and I'm pretty sure I saw it on there. I'm taking a close up picture when I get a chance for another fellow doing a similar swap out posted in another thread. Be nice to get the forums input on that.

Thanks to these forums, a lot of mistakes were avoided and the input provided by members is fantastic. Thanks everyone

 

Just noticed this hehe! Not an issue for me I suppose I should figure a way to make my own from steel tubing.

Here's the pics of the carb set up:

Carb-Side

Carb-Front

Carb-Back

Just noticed the gasket for the air box is a bit crushed at the front, looks like I'll need to trim the insulation a bit.

 

Aluminum is a lot easier to work with.

 

Curiousity question:

Should the exhaust stink? I mean it's pretty strong smelling. My wife covers her nose hehe! I figured since the motor is new everything is coming out smoothly and eventually tone down a bit. I'm thinking it's running a bit rich, there's the feintest of feint black smoke at the pipe. I only noticed it cause the sun was setting and lit it just so. I don't see it during the day, or haven't noticed really. The smell is even in the cabin while driving, feeling a bit light headed as I type this

Sure is quite a bit of condensation too, I left a light trail of water when I took it out of the garage last night out of the left tailpipe. Not as bad as a pickup truck after a rain though, but just enough to leave a trail that could be followed hehe!

 

Looks like they did a good job, get SFCs and have some fun!

YEa check your A/F ratio a bit

 

Is the air conditioning hooked up? I can't tell from the pic. If so how does it idle when on?

I ask because i'm thinking about getting a zz4 w/cam upgrade and keeping the air conditioning.

 

No air, though I'd like it hehe!

 

Hey Firestorm!!
Nice install!! I do mean a 385 only because it is bored .040 over and not .030 over like a 383!! I am going with a hydraulic flat tappet cam. (506'' lift) Roller ended up being toooooo much $$$$!!! I'm getting my motor back on May 23!!! I gotta figure out how to put pics on here so I can show you the finished car!!!

 

Thought I would give an update, not sure if I should have started another thread in the suspension area but I think it's better to have one post to see the progress. I know I enjoyed looking at other rides and watching them come together.


I used filter cloth (commonly used in construction, similar to silt fence in some areas) to wrap to motor and brake booster. This left enough room for me to get almost everywhere. Obviously I didn't get behind the motor, but I got behind it enough that you cant' see it unless you went looking. I didn't get the coverage I wanted on the blower cover and it's got some flat spots but it looks miles better than before.

Here's some after photos:






I used about 4 cans of paint. There is some overspray on the brake lines but I don't think it looks that bad. If it stays there is another thing. Got new bottles as well for the overflow and wiper washer, which I still need to get a cover for since the shop that swapped the engine broke it. They did a good job on the swap so I'm not chasing them for it hehe. I need to get a new hose for the overflow, had to disconnect it cause it was leaking.



Got the old A-Arms off and nice shiney new ones are in :



The painted linkages waiting to be installed (there's masking tape around the important bits hehe). Just wish I had more room to do this stuff. On one side I'm stuck between a the old couch/loveseat and the other I have a shelf up and I still don't have room to store anything!! Our house is a disaster area, at least up till today hehe. I managed to get the parts strewn about the house mostly on the car now.

I started to clean up the wheelwells, as you can see they look like hell, but the dust was just crazy and I couldn't get a lot of it off at all. Think that'll be a project at a later date.