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Old 03-13-2017, 06:23 PM
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Default Motor Mount Holes Question

I've asked this question on other forums & never got an answer. May have even asked it here, and just don't remember.

Anyhow, I've read that the '82 model Birds had holes in the front subframe for use with a 301 Pontiac engine. This is because it was thought that the 301 would be used that year.

So, my question is: Did the '83 and any later model Birds still come with the 301 holes ?

Another question is: Since the F-bodies used the same front subframe, did the '82 Camaro come with the 301 holes ?

Yes, I realize that the holes can be drilled, and mounts can be welded in. But I'd like to know exactly which vehicles came with the holes already punched(or drilled). I assume they were either punched or drilled with automated equipment. So, I figure all the holes were made at the same time. Just don't know when the 301 holes were eliminated.

Anybody know, for sure ?

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Old 03-13-2017, 09:45 PM
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I see from pics that the '82 thru '84 model T/A had a Turbo hood. Don't know if they still had hopes of using a 301T engine, or just thought the hoods looked sporty.

Don't know if the hoods had any connection to 301 motor mount holes or not. ??


"...When the redesigned third generation 1982 Trans-Am appeared, it had an offset “turbo bulge” hood scoop, just like the ’80-’81 Turbo Trans Am. The car’s front subframe was designed to accommodate the Pontiac V-8, too. In the smaller, much lighter third generation Trans Am, a 250-300 hp turbocharged 301 would have been a tremendous performer. Probably, it would have been quicker and faster than the Buick Regal Grand National given the same advances in EFI/intercooling but with two more cylinders and more displacement to bring to bear – in a more aerodynamic and lighter package...Unfortunately, GM management decided to kill the development of the Pontiac V-8 altogether. The 301 would be the last-ever Pontiac V-8..."

"...the Pontiac Turbo 4.9 was to be the top motor for the new 3rd Gen T/A.The engineering was done in the late '70s to this end.This was the reason for the offset hood bulge as on the 2nd Gen T/A and Formula to make room for the turbo plumbing..."

"...Pontiac’s next big move with the 301 turbo was going to be to put it in the newly redesigned 1982 Trans-Am. It’s 210 horsepower was 45 horsepower more than what you could get in Chevy’s Z-28 Camaro. Heck it was even 10 more horsepower then the 200 horsepower 350 V8 available in the 1982 Corvette! This would have really rattled the cages of GM. The Corvette is GM’s baby. But the 301 never found it’s way into the 1982 Trans Am. Ever wonder why the 1982 Trans-Am had that off-center hood scoop, just like the 1980-81 Turbo Trans-Am? It was because the 1982 was supposed to have had the same engine under that scoop. Specifically, it was supposed to have had the off-center Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor that fed the turbo 301 under that hood scoop..."


Last edited by ponyakr; 03-13-2017 at 10:32 PM.
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Old 03-13-2017, 09:49 PM
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I've had two '82 Trans Ams and two '84 Trans Ams. I never noticed anything different on the K-member. There are multiple motor mount holes for the 4-cyl Iron Duke, 2.8L V6 and 5.0L V8 Chevys. The '82s didn't have the 3rd set of bolt holes on the frame rails for the 700R4 transmission crossmember since it wasn't available until '83.

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Old 03-14-2017, 09:18 AM
mrrat1 mrrat1 is offline
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http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=748495

post # 11 has my motor pic as mounted.......holes needed to be drilled.
The block was mounted to the original 700 trans and mounts located.

Hope this helps!!

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Old 03-14-2017, 11:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrrat1 View Post
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=748495

post # 11 has my motor pic as mounted.......holes needed to be drilled.
The block was mounted to the original 700 trans and mounts located.

Hope this helps!!
Thanks ! But that does not help, since you did not use the '75-'81 style motor mounts. The '82 Birds would have had holes for a 301, which would have been in the same location as the Pontiac engine holes which '75-'81 Birds had. That is, they would be in the same location, relative to the Chevy holes.

I assume there would be holes for a Buick V6, a small block Chevy, & a Pontiac V8, in the '80-'81 Birds. And the '82 would have holes for these & any other engines they'd planned to use in 'em.

But, I don't know if the Pontiac holes were continued, AFTER the '82 models.

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Old 03-15-2017, 10:03 PM
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Engine cradle from my '82 Recaro T/A and 86' Camaro engine cradle from a eBay listing. No noticeable difference in motor mount bolt holes.
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