Has anyone done this? Can it be done without a whole lot of Modification? I have seen 454's in Camaros, how about a 400 in a Firebird.

Oh and before you answer this, it is not a small block Chevy 400 we are talking about. This is old school Pontiac.


Thank you in advance. :hail:

 

Gets asked on the Swap board several times a week.

The hard-core Pontiac guys love the idea, everybody else cringes at the difficulties of weight, coming up with parts, exhaust, accessories, etc. IMHO it's too much maze for the cheese at the end compared to using a Chevy engine, especially a SBC 400. The Chevy engine is easier to make more power cheaper, fits better, parts are all off-the-shelf, the motor is lighter, etc. etc. But that's only an opinion; if you think it's good for you, go for it.

 

Man!! OH man!! for what I'd do to have a stock 455SD between the fenders of my '86 T/A......turbo 400......nice performance 12bolt.....Thanks for this post and the f-body fantasies that resulted:lala:

 

Hey rb83l69, I see your point there would be alot of things to consider. It would just be awesome to feel my old GTO motor in this Firebird. Well maybe I will just hang on to it for another car...lol.

 

LOL......> RICHRAD.

 

putting 78 Pontiac 400 in my 87 Camaro. Cant help much because engine is still sitting in living room. Finally getting the sub frames and ladder bar frames welded in this Sunday. The Chevy would be cheaper but I am a Pontiac fan, love the torque these engines put out. I keep advertising for Indian Adventures for headers. But I guess they are still waiting for donor car for mock up. www.chiefmanyhorses.com
Dick Duclow is the man. They are building round port first then the D-ports. Watch your rear axle... that is the weak link, A strong 400 can grenade a 10 bolt.
Good luck

 

Hey cool site bob8748, I should not need to worry about my rear end. I still have the 12 bolt 3.90 out of my goat:lala:

 

Ummm... when your done cuttin up the Goat... can I have it?

 

it is a tight fit. and that is without headers. with headers...GOOD LUCK!! I was thinking of doing it, but I got some pictures of clearances with that set-up...man, that changed my mind. It is mainly because of the head configuration. since the ponchos have the exhaust ports on the "lower angle" of the head, the exhaust manifold sits just about on your subframe. and it is almost tangled up with the motor mount.

 

That's why I keep advertising Indian Adventures, they are making headers just for this swap. Got to admit its been a long time coming though. Will shoot Dick Duclow an e-mail and check on progress. "Patience" I guess. Will fill you in when he responds.

 

hey titeride... can you send me those pics?

 

as soon as I figure out how.

if you want to pm me, I can send them through e-mail. just send me your address.

 

nevermind. your listed. you have mail. hope they help.

I also remember there was such close clearance between the oil filter and the frame, he actually had to dent his oil filter, and rerouting the brake lines is needed also.

 

Thanks for the picks
Any mods I have to do will be fine, she is all cut up anyway. Getting ready to mark my centerlines today so the ladder frames can go in tomorrow. No garage and no shade... can fry an egg on the car, this will be fun.

 

Oh and before I forget about your smart azz comment Bob8748. If you think for a minute I would hack up a Goat for an 87 bird "you are smoking something buddy". Before you make accusations like that get some more detail. Take another look at my post where it says "I still have the rear end out of my goat" meaning I do not have either of the goats I have had in my life.