Hello
I will be getting my first 3rd gen firebird this weekend, it has no motor or trans. I have a 77 pontiac 400 motor and a 5.3 vortec from a yukon. What would be the better motor for a forced induction set up? If i went with the 5.3 how would i power the coil packs? I have restored many cars but nothing with fuel injection or coil packs.
Thanks

 

The 5.3 loves boost.

I like the MSD coil pack box.

 

The 5.3 would have a carb not efi i dont know if that would affect the turbos.
Thanks

 

This statement worries me about your ability to take on a turbo project.

Time to start reading and using the search function while you save many thousands of dollars.

 

I have never done any turbos, s/c ect... I usually just do all motor.

 

I Just bought a 5.3 vortec and installed a edelbrock top end kit, now i just need to guidance with the coil packs. How are they powered? sorry for all the newbie question i just never messed with any fuel injection or coil packs. I am use to the old carburetor and distributor.
Thanks

 

I think one of these should do it

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...9_Engines.aspx

 

5.3 - more power

6.6 - more cool

 

A 400 isn't a good match to a turbo.While a 400 is known for low end torque,a turbo isn't.

 

A properly sized small turbo should be easily capable of low rpm torque, at the expense of peak power of course. Plus, a turbo on a motor that already makes good low end torque can be a bit bigger since the motor itself already makes good low end on its own. That's why the turbo 3.8s were so great.

That said, I don't think I'd waste my time with a 400. They're fairly expensive to get good power out of them, and will need an expensive rotating assembly to hold up to boost. A stock 5.3 would be much better to boost.

 

I wouldn't spend the time using the 1977 block 400 anyway. They were thinner/weaker castings than earlier and consequently later year blocks.
http://nyghtwyngs.com/fileup/uploads...alsW72File.pdf

 

A buddy of mine has a 396 and a 327 block out of a chevelle he will sell me for dirt cheap as he got rid of his car and he is moving. Is that a direct swap? I know with the early 327s they don't have holes on the heads for accessories.

 

Right: neither one is quite a "direct swap".

I think really, the 5.3 is probably the best way to go, in 2013. Most likely exactly what I would do if I found myself in the situation you describe. 10, 15, 20 yrs ago, those other choices might have been reasonable; but it's almost 2014 now. If you're going to look at a major swap, the LSx series motors are pretty much the top dog. And of those, the 5.3 is usually the cheeepest. (except for the 4.8) Just get a pull-out engine, trans, computer, & wiring, from some wrecked 2WD truck. They go for less than $1000. Really not too hard or $$$ at all to slap in and get going. About all you'd need beyond that, is an oil pan, and some accessory brackets.

 

I have been looking on hawks third gen, they sell ls1 motor mounts for 82-92 f-body would i need those to use the 5.3?
Thanks

 

Yes; or something similar to them. The 5.3 is identical externally to the LS1, in much the same way the 305 is identical to the 350.

Oh and I should have mentioned; you'll have to do something about the exhaust. But that's not too tough these days, to get some headers etc. that will hook up to your stock exh without being too much of an ordeal.

 

Check out the LS1 swap sticky in the LTx/LSx forum. It covers all the basic questions on how to get it in the car and running, along with the extras required when using a truck engine vs a car engine