Hey guys, new to Thirdgen.org, and from what I've seen everyone is really helpful here. So anyway, I hate to beat a long dead horse, but I'm doing an engine swap on my '84 T/A, and I need some advice. I've been scouring forums, and finally decided to ask my own questions.

So, I've got the motor itself pretty much figured out. Heads, cam and intake off of an old racing motor laying around my house. Tranny in the car right now is junk, so I'm taking the tranny out of a '70's box fan, which will also donate the block. So first question is, what's a good carb choice, something that will help in the power department and not break the bank?

For the exhaust, I've already decided on Hooker 2055's for the headers, but I'm torn on the cat-back. I like the idea of a hooker catback, but I've heard good things about Mac. Which is louder/more aggressive? And if it is Hooker, should I get the 16823, 16822, or 16820. If it helps, my cat has a rectangular flange with 4 holes.

Since I'm going to a new carb, I'm getting rid of the ECM. What issues will I have? I'm looking into just wiring a fan switch. I'm pretty sure the fuel pump is mechanical. And I'm guessing that the '70's tranny and torque converter from the box truck won't have lockout. Planning on a vacuum advance distributor. What else am I missing or should I consider for getting rid of the ECM?

That's it for now, but any other advice to make my life easier, or make the motor perform or sound better would be greatly appreciated.

 

Okay, no responses, so I'll take a shot.

Given:
Need more information. "Old racing motor" can mean most anything. What heads? What cam? What intake? If you don't know, then I'll have to assume the worst and make recommendations. If nothing else, get the casting #'s off of the heads (located under the valve cover).

And, the most important question: What are you going to do with the car once you're done? Daily driver? Race car only? Street and strip?

Really need to know the answers to the questions above first. If this is going to be a street car, though, I'd say keep the computer q-jet. Even if you intend to race it as well.

The 2055HKRs are for the '86-'90 TPI single cat application. That is good, and also means everything else you get should be for that application as well. That means the 16820HKR is out. I honestly don't know what the difference is between the other two. And, I'd toss the stock cat and a get direct-fit one for the '86-'90 TPI single cat application, such as the Catco 9118.

Again, need answers to the first questions before a useable answer can be provided. And, again, if it's going to be a street car, I'd keep the entire ECM system, including the transmission. You may be able to trade the van transmission for a rebuild of the TH700, or at least offset part of the cost. If it is street driven, it will pay back the upfront cost eventually.

The fuel pump should be mechanical. If the car is an original VIN code G, it may also have an in-tank electric pump. And, some VIN H had a dealer-installed vapor lock mitigation kit installed, which included an in-tank electric pump.

And, FWIW, the torque converter has "lock up", not "lock out". Some later vans came with TH350Cs, which did have torque converter lock up.