Questions about swapping a V8 and Transmission into an 82 TransAm
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Questions about swapping a V8 and Transmission into an 82 TransAm
Well, I'm totally into the 1982 Pontiac TransAm, as far as I'm concerned, it's the best looking T/A ever to come out of the 3rd gen (my opinion of course).
Anyway, I used to have one a few years ago.. a sad story, it didn't run, I didn't know as much about cars, nothing really wrong with it mechanicall.. but I junked it for $50 bucks. Oh yeah, perfect RUST-FREE body.
Anyway, I recently picked up a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro. It was originally a Camaro coupe, you know, the one with the straight 6 engine.
Anyway, the body is literally shot. The front end suspension is completely worn out, I can practically wiggle the two front wheels apart.
The engine that's in there right now is a 1974 Chevrolet 4-bolt 350 V8 from a 1974 Chevy Impala Police packaged car. I checked the VIN and engine stats on this engine, and apparently this is the "185 hp" version of the 350 4-bolt V8 from 1974. I forgot the torque output, but I think it was close to 300 foot pounds.
Anyway, the transmission currently in this engine is ALSO from that same car, which happens to be a TH-400. It's the Turbo Hydromatic 400 that's ALSO the Police package edition (pulled the vin, it's from the same 74 Impala). Apparently, the only difference between the police package one and a normal TH-400 is that it has a larger cooler, coolant lines and pump, and the casing is re-enforced.
The other good part of this is that the HEADS on the engine are from a completely DIFFERENT car and were cast in 1971. The heads apparently came from either a 400 cubic inch H.O. V8 from a full sized Chevy Pickup or from a 327 cubic inch Chevy Corvette.
My question is, can I fit both the Turbo Hydromatic 400 tranny and this V8 into a 1982 Pontiac TransAm without much problems at all? I know the regular 4-bbl carbed 82 TransAm has a 200C or something tranny. I'd like to get rid of that tranny and slip this 400 in there. Any idea what kind of issues I'm looking to deal with?
Thanks!!
By the way, if / when I do the swap, I'm going to completely get rid of the computer, and just go with a regular vacuum asisted HEI distributor. I'll of course keep the awesome electric choke!!
Thanks!
Todd
Anyway, I used to have one a few years ago.. a sad story, it didn't run, I didn't know as much about cars, nothing really wrong with it mechanicall.. but I junked it for $50 bucks. Oh yeah, perfect RUST-FREE body.
Anyway, I recently picked up a 1976 Chevrolet Camaro. It was originally a Camaro coupe, you know, the one with the straight 6 engine.
Anyway, the body is literally shot. The front end suspension is completely worn out, I can practically wiggle the two front wheels apart.
The engine that's in there right now is a 1974 Chevrolet 4-bolt 350 V8 from a 1974 Chevy Impala Police packaged car. I checked the VIN and engine stats on this engine, and apparently this is the "185 hp" version of the 350 4-bolt V8 from 1974. I forgot the torque output, but I think it was close to 300 foot pounds.
Anyway, the transmission currently in this engine is ALSO from that same car, which happens to be a TH-400. It's the Turbo Hydromatic 400 that's ALSO the Police package edition (pulled the vin, it's from the same 74 Impala). Apparently, the only difference between the police package one and a normal TH-400 is that it has a larger cooler, coolant lines and pump, and the casing is re-enforced.
The other good part of this is that the HEADS on the engine are from a completely DIFFERENT car and were cast in 1971. The heads apparently came from either a 400 cubic inch H.O. V8 from a full sized Chevy Pickup or from a 327 cubic inch Chevy Corvette.
My question is, can I fit both the Turbo Hydromatic 400 tranny and this V8 into a 1982 Pontiac TransAm without much problems at all? I know the regular 4-bbl carbed 82 TransAm has a 200C or something tranny. I'd like to get rid of that tranny and slip this 400 in there. Any idea what kind of issues I'm looking to deal with?
Thanks!!
By the way, if / when I do the swap, I'm going to completely get rid of the computer, and just go with a regular vacuum asisted HEI distributor. I'll of course keep the awesome electric choke!!
Thanks!
Todd
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
The TH400 won't have means to connect the torque arm up, and the location of the rear tranny mount won't quite fit the crossmember. Your best bet to fix both problems is to go to the Spohn web site, our sponsor above, and get his parts.
You will also need to mount the shift cable bracket to the tranny pan somehow, but that shouldn't be too big an issue.
You will also need to mount the shift cable bracket to the tranny pan somehow, but that shouldn't be too big an issue.
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