Basically I found a fairly cheap 83 firebird, and I have a 454 and TH400 laying in the shop. These seem to add up to a pretty good idea in my head.

I read through the big block thread and the v8 swap threads, and idealy you would want a v8 car for the stronger suspension? I have a 12 bolt laying around as well, so I'm not very worried about the rear axle. I'm worried about the driveline but I'm sure I could do some research and get that figured out. This is my first 3rd gen F-body so my question is there anything I should look at? if the car was a v6 or a 4 banger would you not buy it for this swap?

Let me know thanks guys.

 

The V8 suspension isn't really stronger, but the springs are stiffer, and stiffer anti roll bars are optional, as are quicker-ratio steering boxes.
Just order a pair of Moog 5664 front springs if you're keeping the a/c and p/s, leave the V6 front springs in if you're going to the dragstrip. Plenty of threads in the suspension sub-forum about anti roll bars.
Your 12-bolt is a problem if it's old GM rather than modern aftermarket, because of the torque arm bracket.
I was going turbo LSx, but plans changed, and I'm hunting a '96-'00 version of the 454, for the 9:1 heads ( '75-'95 was 7.9:1 or less ) and the roller lifters. I require an OD, so I'm going with a built 700R-4, because it's stronger than a 200-4R, and because I'm going with 2.73:1 gears in my Ford 8.8" rear axle I got from an '01 Mustang GT, because it's nearly the correct width.
This is relevant because, like an old 12-bolt from GM, it has no provisions for a torque arm. I searched all the relevant threads, and began work on my own bracket.
Meanwhile, I'm working on another car, and I made it a 3-link rear suspension, very much like the '05-up Mustangs. Turns out this is easier and works better, so I stopped work on keeping the torque arm.
Ladder bars aren't good on these cars, send a PM to five7kid if you need details / links to his threads.
You might be able to sell your 12-bolt to a restorer for enough to get a Kwik Perf. bolt-in 9-inch.
If you're just going to keep the 454 stock, around 230 HP, then you might consider just swapping some taller gears and a 28-spline posi with 28-spline shafts into the axle the car came with. 2-series posi, for 3.08:1-2.29:1, can be found in '93-up Z28s that came with automatic and standard 2.73:1s. 28-spline shafts came in all '90-'92 F-cars. '93-up are also 28-spline, but a couple inches longer. If you just swap the whole thing, you get better disc brakes, but you have to change rear wheels.
If you want your big block to corner, then aside from aluminum heads, intake, and water pump, you can fit 18x10.5s under the front, 17x11s rear, or 18x10.5s there also, and those make room for Z06 C6 14" brakes.
Decide what you want, do a lot of reading in all the tech sub-forums, then start ordering parts.
For mounting the 454, you need the '82-92 V8 mounts from an F-body or maybe the RWD Monte Carlo versions may work. Or Moroso solids give more space for fitting the Patriot shorty headers. I'll be trying the Hedman shorties with Moroso solid mounts.

 

deeretech129, welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Fixed the title.