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Formula428 · 02-04-2005, 07:24 PM

I may be building and installing a Poncho 400 for this guy's third gen 'bird, and I have a few questions...

Besides the mounts and headers, (already checked them out on IA's site) is there anything else I will need? Any clearance issues?

Does anyone have experience with hood clearance using a performer/RPM/torker II?

and...

Will the Pontiac flexplate bolt to a 700's converter?

Thanks much.

larry davis · 02-11-2005, 06:50 PM

Getting ready to do the same this year w/ my Son's 86 TA. Swapping a 73 400 & a TH350.
My concern is the power steering compatability.
Will the 73 Pontiac reservoir & pump work w/ the 86 gear box? Haven't got that far, but if the fittings are different; I can have a hose made to adapt the two. Wondering if that's all I need to worry about?

I'm leaning towards long branch style manifolds for this conversion, as all headers I've seen will need alteration and look to be too tall; leaving no ground clearance.

Formula428 · 02-16-2005, 03:06 PM

Thanks Ken. Anything else you ran into?

Formula428 · 02-12-2005, 11:18 AM

Sometime in the 80's GM switched to metric fittings on the power steering, so you may need an adapter hose.

87PONT.TA · 02-13-2005, 11:57 AM

Ken, just wondering if you have pics? Erik, are you going to run the weak stock rearend? Just finished installing a big 10 in mine, hope it goes straight. nexts is the 400& 350 trans.

79GP6.6L · 02-12-2005, 10:12 AM

You could run a 3.5" or 4" single exhaust system. http://www.mufflex-performance.com/fbody_1.html

Larry, I would think you could use the 86 pump. I have an all Pontiac 79, and a Chevy powered 89, and the pumps appear to be the same on both - just different brackets and pulleys. But if the 73 pump is easier to work with, give it a try. It is probably a standard vs. metric issue.

And don't forget subframe connectors - I consider them a necessity on any performance thirdgen!

Ken MacNicol · 02-13-2005, 08:00 AM

You can run true duals. I have done a Chevy powered and Pontiac powered, both with headers.

Ken MacNicol · 02-15-2005, 07:55 PM

I believe it was around 7-8 hundredths in the 1/4. It has been a long time.

larry davis · 02-13-2005, 03:56 PM

Already got a 3" VFN cowl hood, so I can use a DP carb and Weiand dual plane intake.
I dig what your saying about the PS setup.
Agree about the subframe connectors as well.

What headers has anyone used succesfully in this swap?

87PONT.TA · 02-15-2005, 07:00 PM

how much performance do you lose with the three tube header compared to the four tube? Has anybody tested the shorty headers, think they would work?

WARPed · 02-05-2005, 09:02 PM

Yes a 700R4 converter will bolt to a Pontiac flexplate just make sure you use a dual bolt pattern flexplate. I just installed one in my 85GP.

Formula428 · 02-04-2005, 07:24 PM

I may be building and installing a Poncho 400 for this guy's third gen 'bird, and I have a few questions...

Besides the mounts and headers, (already checked them out on IA's site) is there anything else I will need? Any clearance issues?

Does anyone have experience with hood clearance using a performer/RPM/torker II?

and...

Will the Pontiac flexplate bolt to a 700's converter?

Thanks much.

ErikW · 02-12-2005, 04:04 PM

My son and I are currently putting together an 86 T/A with a 455 & TH400. We are using the IA mounts, "factory d-port headers". With a Edelbrock Performer intake and a Demon carb there is about 1/4" clearance between the top of the bowl vent and the bottom of the hood. Probably going to have to install a cowl hood on this thing. Sucks because we already painted the car with a brand new factory T/A hood on it. We are using Spohn's torque arm and TH400 crossmember (Excellent product, perfect fit). The d-port manifolds fit perfect also. We fabricated a y-pipe out of 2 1/2" U & J Bends dumping into a flowmaster y-collector. From there it will enter into a catalytic converter located in the stock position. We have a Flowmaster 3" system (The one with dual 3" tailpipes with stainless tips)to complete the exhaust. As far as power steering compatability, use the late model Chevy pump mounted on the Pontiac brackets. It looks like we are going to use Rodney Red's serpentine setup as the factory brackets locate the alternator too high (hood clearance again). I'll post some pics of our progress. Good Luck.

Erik

Ken MacNicol · 02-14-2005, 07:56 PM

The first one I did was back around 90' and I don't have any pics. The chevy powered is my boss's car. We put some small cats in front of the rearend and put the mufflers behind the tires on each side. There is not alot of ground clearance so the next time I am going to try some of the oval pipe the circle track guys use. On the Pontiac powered one the 3 tubes fit with minor denting of middle tube on drivers side[I think]

Formula428 · 02-05-2005, 11:18 PM

The Pontiac measures about 2" wider on each side than an SBC. Any comments, clearance problems, etc?

79GP6.6L · 02-05-2005, 01:08 PM

I can't answer your questions, but I'd also like to know if the 700 converter will bolt up to a Pontiac flexplate. Anyone?

Scarebird · 02-12-2005, 01:16 AM

The big issue with a 3rd Gen is the exhaust- you cannot run true duals, and the front rails get in the way baad.

Formula428 · 02-13-2005, 10:10 PM

I'm toying with the idea of doing a full write up (with pics) on the swap if we end up going through with it.

Larry -

The IA headers (or whatever they are) look like pretty good pieces, and I'm not aware of any others that will fit. Yet.

Formula428 · 02-10-2005, 11:45 AM

Anyone?

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