350 Chevy in '81 Turbo T/A

[dragula81]

(I just realized that I should have posted this here.......)
Hello,
New user here. From what I've read around this site for the past couple of days, I'm sure I'm going to catch some crap for my subject line on this post but anyway here goes:
I just bought an '81 Nascar Edition Turbo T/A with a bad engine (301 of course). Sitting in my garage right now is a perfect 350 Chevy that I just pulled out of my '70 Nova that I built last summer. I want to eventually put a 400 or 455 in the T/A, but it will take me several months to afford to build one up. So, I would like to go ahead and install the 350 in it until I can complete the 400 or 455.
Can anyone help me with what this will require? I know I'll need to swap motor mounts, but what about headers/manifolds, PS/ALT/AC brackets, electrical, PCM problems, etc???? What transmission will I need to use? I have a short tail TH350 now - will it work with the T/A driveshaft and crossmember???
I know this is a common swap because I have seen several on Ebay like this but I'm not sure what it will encompass for me to make this swap.
I don't want to alter anything that I couldn't easily return to original since I will eventually be installing a Pontiac motor back in it.
Thanks for the help!!
Dragula

[dragula81]

(I just realized that I should have posted this here.......)
Hello,
New user here. From what I've read around this site for the past couple of days, I'm sure I'm going to catch some crap for my subject line on this post but anyway here goes:
I just bought an '81 Nascar Edition Turbo T/A with a bad engine (301 of course). Sitting in my garage right now is a perfect 350 Chevy that I just pulled out of my '70 Nova that I built last summer. I want to eventually put a 400 or 455 in the T/A, but it will take me several months to afford to build one up. So, I would like to go ahead and install the 350 in it until I can complete the 400 or 455.
Can anyone help me with what this will require? I know I'll need to swap motor mounts, but what about headers/manifolds, PS/ALT/AC brackets, electrical, PCM problems, etc???? What transmission will I need to use? I have a short tail TH350 now - will it work with the T/A driveshaft and crossmember???
I know this is a common swap because I have seen several on Ebay like this but I'm not sure what it will encompass for me to make this swap.
I don't want to alter anything that I couldn't easily return to original since I will eventually be installing a Pontiac motor back in it.
Thanks for the help!!
Dragula

[Txbobcat]

Sell the 350 and get you a 400 or 455. Have to change a lot almost nothing will interchange from the pontiac to the chevy.

[mike nixon]

actually the 301 mounts may fit the sbc

if the th350 is a unibolt unit it'll work also. the big problem will be in the wiring issues. the chevy,as a rule, will have most of the accesories located on the opposite side of the engine as the pontiac.

when you convert from the 301 to a 400/455 you need to move the frame mounts. the 267/301 block has narrower pan rails than the traditional blocks.

none of the chevy brackets will work with either pontiac.most of the 301 stuff will not interchange with the 400/455.

mike

[olds442gm]

EVERYTHING HAS TO BE CHANGED!!! Frame mounts are different, battery location is different, starter is mounted on the opposide side, even the wire harness is reversed! Did this in 2 cars, so I know what I'm talking about! The 301 is similar to the mounting of a 455 Pontiac. The other problem with changing from a Pontiac to Chev, is that the trans mounting bolts are different (locations) unless you have a uni-bell housing. The cost usually winds up to being more then what it would cost to drop in a 455 and have a really cool car! http://forums.performanceyears.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Larry

1979 Trans Am Pro Street
1984 Olds 442
1970 Buick Skylark

[TA454]

it is simple use everything from your nova!
Pullys to trans, headers and all if your nova has dual exhaust the entire system will even fit.Than just lengthen your fuel line it reach the pump(or install an electric and route the line to the carb)get an engine harness from a camaro and plug it into your firewalland your done.

[LeighP]

I have a chevy motor in my T/A (was there when I bought it). If you're planning to put another Pontiac motor in eventually, then sell the chevy and use the money to get a Pontiac ready for the car....you'll be swapping wiring, and all sorts of stuff around twice if you put the chevy in there temporarily - the chev and Pontiac are basically reverse layouts. You'll waste money and time if you want to have a pontiac motor in there at the end.

Regards,
Leigh
1976 Trans Am
1970 RS/SS Camaro
Sydney, Australia

[81TurboTA]

Ok, I have an 81 Turbo TA and have been jockying back and forth on this issue, rebuild the turbo 301, drop in the vortec 350 I have, or buy a 455. I think I will sell the 350 and buy the 455.

J