[Mr. P-Body]

davo,

I guess you're just not going to hear anything about the Pontiac, huh? Any BBC-equipped Camaro will have the mounts and wiring you need to install the 454. You will also need new front springs from a big block Camaro, as the BBC weighs a hundred or so more pounds than the Pontiac and Olds. The TH400 will also need the wiring for the kick-down switch. Handling of the car as a "T/A" will be compromised by the increase in nose weight. Watch out for some of our 461-powered Firebirds. It takes a WHOLE BUNCH of 454 to catch them!

Jim

[triathlonx13]

ok - might have to sit down and read for a bit...

You have a lot of options for your motor and tranny. Any motor can be built to make power if the right parts are choosen, money spent wisely, and the builder is knowledgible of the motor he is building.

You have money in your car already right? You don't want to loose money on your car right? (we all don't). Stay with Pontiac motors for this reason. Putting a chevy motor in your car kills the value and if you every wanted or had to sell your car it would be harder to sell and you would get less for the car.

I understand getting a turn key motor is very desirable. You can save some money some times and you save a lot of time. (pop it in and go theory).

Check out PDUDE's (Ken Keefer). He offers some Pontiac "crate motors" which are a great deal. http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/pontiac...chineshop.html or http://www.pontiacdude.cc He has a "12 second combo" for like $5,000. Pump gas and can drive it every day. He's been into F-Bodies for a long time and will be able to get a motor that will give the power in your car that you are looking for.

Understand this 500 hp's on the road is a lot to handle. I was into all the hype of "needing" huge horse to be happy. But if you ever been in a car with 400 horse... it can blow away most things on the street (with the coorect suspension, gear ratio, and tires). ... one of my cars (68 GTO) with 405 hps is a blast. I put basic BF Goodrich TA's on it one day. I could barely take off with our spinning the tires (remember Pontiac motors are supper torquey!) and when I jumped on the gas and shifted the four speed I laid rubber in a four gears ... and we're talking long patches in all gears! It was crasy...

TH350 is a little smaller, lighter, and takes less HPs to run then a TH400 and will more more then fine for 400-500 range. An engine builder can hep select a torque converter to match up with your gears ans cam /etc to make your car work together - thus making it fast.

Another option I would think about is the Pontiac 350 stroker "Pontiac 383". High Performance Pontiac had a big righ up about these motors that made killer horse for a little less money then our beloved 400s. ACE Brewer http://www.pacificperformanceracing.com sells the rotation assemblies but any of the big engine builders can get them and build what you want.

2-cents

[davo1977]

To start off, I want to thank anyone for their input on this. I already have tried to research this stuff in old threads, but most of the outcomes end up in arguments on who knows more. The only car I have built is a 67 Camaro with a 383 stroker & TH350 tranny & my 94 toyota p/u 18" lift w/ 383 stroker & 700R4, so thats all I know right now. I love this TA, and just want the right power in it. I dont like opening up engines, and like to just "bolt in & go". I'm not one of these guys who talks about everything & never does it, I always finish my projects quickly. So....I think I will go with a built 455, does that sound good? What transmission would I use for a Pontiac 455 engine that would handle the power? Again, I appreciate the input from all very much

[TA454]

Originally Posted by Mr. P-Body

davo,

Any BBC-equipped Camaro will have the mounts and wiring you need to install the 454. You will also need new front springs from a big block Camaro, as the BBC weighs a hundred or so more pounds than the Pontiac and Olds. The TH400 will also need the wiring for the kick-down switch. Handling of the car as a "T/A" will be compromised by the increase in nose weight. Watch out for some of our 461-powered Firebirds. It takes a WHOLE BUNCH of 454 to catch them!

Jim

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

1) The motor mounts are the same just need to flip them over and use the other set of holes that are already in the front crossmember.

2) the trans crossmember wotn fit (but guess what it wont work with a pontiac motor with a th400 either) you will need a universal one, or carefully cut the mounting pade off the trans crossmember which is located on the front side of the crossmember and have it welded onto the backside of the tube. This is best done with the motor and trans in the car. Motor bolted to motor mounts trans supported by floor jack.

3) The stock front springs are fine. My front end sat higher after the swap. Besides by the time you add an alum intake and waterpump and add headers there is the supposed increased weight difference. Plus if you remove the AC that is even more weight off the front end.

4) the handeling of the car will not change much. Due to the fact that the 454 will sit a little further back than the old motor.

5) the kick down on the th400 is no big deal dont really need it hooked up (that is why god invented shifters). A 454 has more than ample power to pass in high gear besides that is why we have shifters.

6) My old 460 (454=.03) with hyd cam and 9.5 compression went 11.8 and still got 13 mpg. In fact my first 454 went 13.0 with an edelbrock performer cam and +100K miles on it.

[davo1977]

Are you sure thats it? That doesnt sound like a lot of work & this guy is right down the road from me with the 454. Its actually a 502 he said, plus a built TH400 tranny for $3500 Do you mean the motor mounts on the frame from the 403 needs to be flipped over? I really havent been under the car to look yet. I just gutted the interior tonight.

[TA454]

thats it. like my name says trans am w/ a 454 been there done that.
unless you want to go with solid motor mounts then you just get the moroso mounts for the block and the frame.
I have had mine in both ways with the stock clamshells at first then with the solids.
there are 4 holes in the stock mounts only 3 holes get used. when you remove the mounts you will see extra holes on the crossmember just flip the mounts and line up the other holes. As far as the wiring it is nothing to cut the stock harness and make the nessary leads as long as you want.