hi guys, my 350 formula blew a head gasket today, so i got a 400 pontiac block that came out of a 67 catalina its 290hp stock, motor still running , i plan on getting it built and put into my camaro z28 yeah i know about the swap, going to back it up with a rebuilt pontiac 350 tranny, anyhow my question is if i were to buy a kit from eddelbrock for about 500 bucks , with the performer intake,carb,and cam, and then change the rockers on the heads, what do you think i can push out of the motor, im guessing atleast 360 hp, or i might just get it bored 60 over and build the bottom end then add the kit ? , becuase would be cheaper then the 406 buildup,and i dont feel like buying pontiac ram air heads lol, any guesses, comments,suggestions, ??????

 

The 400 pontiac is a great engine. Extremely strong and lots of power potential. However, if you put money into the equation, the cost per HP is higher for the 400 pontiac compared to a SBC. Then the additional cost to install a pontiac into a 3rd gen. If you have the money, and want something a little different, use the 400. It will last a long time.


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Jeremy,

The old Ponchos have a pretty stout bottom end for a two-bolt. Some of the 400s I've seen are genuinely impressive. Head selection will be a bit more limited, but there are some good heads available. Porting is also an option, and you can fit some big valves in the chambers.

All said, it seems only fair the a Z-28 should get a Pontiac engine once in a while, since so many Firebirds have been living on Chevy engines for so many years.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

lol well said vader,if this swap goes good, then i might do it for my firebird formula to, and make it a true pontiac, but still would keep the tpi, , anyhow anyone else with comments, or guessed as to adding what i said about how much horsepower would i be looking at

 

The horsepower ratings of many Pontiac V8s may not seem like much, but for most their strength is huge amounts of low end torque. My 389 was factory rated at only 303 hp @4600 rpm, but torque is 425 ft/lbs @ a low 2800 rpm. This engine has huge amounts of low end torque (off idle too), and it makes the Bonnie really fun to drive despite its 4400 lb weight!

Imagine what it'd be like in one of those lightweight 3rdgens!

 

Have fun putting the TPI on the Poncho




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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver

Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype

 

My friend has a 1978 trans am with the 400 4 speed. It is mildly built and halls serious a s s. It has a ton of torque. I say go for it, I thought about this before and how it would be something different than sticking in a 350!!