[72projectbird]

Since its just a Firebird go all out! If it was a real T/A I would stay with a 455. An LS with a blower on it will provide ample amounts of fun. And this is coming from a guy with a 455 and an LS powered car. The Poncho power plants are great, they really are, but theres something about the high winding crazy nature of LS plants that I just love. They're quite snappy, build power very easily and the aftermarket support for them is huge! My Dad has a LQ4 in a 69 Camaro with a Th350 behind it and it dynoed @315rwhp on the stock Silverado tune. This is before a simple cam and spring swap which will put it right around the 400rwhp mark. Depending on how you do the swap, it might be a lot cheaper then trying to build a monster Poncho. You could even get a 6.0 out of a truck and throw a blower on that to save some serious cash over buying an ls2. Whatever way you go, you cant go wrong.

They're will be people by the boat load telling you to stay with Poncho power (this is a Pontiac site after all) but in the end go with whatever you know and like. Like I said if it was a real T/A I would say 100% stay with Pontiac power, but since it isn't its free range!

[anthonygazz]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Since its just a Firebird go all out!

exactly what we've been saying, first we wanted to make it a trans am but then i just felt like a poser and we strayed from the idea and i finally convinced him to go down the resto-mod road. i love the Ls engines and im readily available to a LS1 or 2 for cheap. it looks like it will be a lot more work to stick with the poncho and make it how we want it, and it seems to be making more and more sense to go the LS route. a lot of great information so far

[johnta1]

The external size of the Pontiac block is basically the same.
You could find a 400 Pontiac block get a stroker kit that would be around 463 to 473 CID really easy and cheap.

Put a blower on it and it would blow away any of those LS engines.
And basically be bolt in, no modifications or finding little nit-picking pieces to make something else fit.
(hole for blower in hood only mod probably but would need it for either style engine)

It would also bolt to a TH350 or TH400 tranny no problem.
You would have more torque than you would know what to do with.

Or go with the ls and be like thousands of other camarobirds.



BTW, welcome to PY.

[anthonygazz]

Originally Posted by johnta1

The external size of the Pontiac block is basically the same.
You could find a 400 Pontiac block get a stroker kit that would be around 463 to 473 CID really easy and cheap.

Put a blower on it and it would blow away any of those LS engines.
And basically be bolt in, no modifications or finding little nit-picking pieces to make something else fit.
(hole for blower in hood only mod probably but would need it for either style engine)

It would also bolt to a TH350 or TH400 tranny no problem.
You would have more torque than you would know what to do with.

Or go with the ls and be like thousands of other camarobirds.



BTW, welcome to PY.

lol sell me your 5 second motor and ill slap that in
but really that would be a good option and the only thing i have against it is the fact that we have the 350 already and cant use it, if we did stay with the poncho block we would be stroking and blowing the 350... which is what she said (too perfect), and running that but if we are to buy a new motor itll probably be the camarobirds ls swap

[johnta1]

OK, so you don't want to spend any money on the Pontiac engine just on the LS.

Still can stroke the 350 to what someone here said, and with a power adder (blower or turbo, I'd go turbo) would give the LS a run for it's money too with less of a hassle.

But whatever way you go, at least it is a Pontiac body!

[anthonygazz]

not that i dont want to spend money on the pontiac engine its just i can get either Ls motor for about 1000 bucks with lots of extras, the ls2 is the full vette drivetrain also, what would a 400 block run used? or even a 455?

[TimeWarp]

The LS is easier and cheaper to make go fast, lighter, fuel injected if you have the computer, etc. Theres a reason a 100,000 mile LS motor runs and starts like new most of the time, while the old style engines begin to show signs of wear in the cylinders and other parts of the valvetrain. Its newer, and better technology.

Like someone said, you are going to get a lot of people against removing the Pontiac drivetrain here, but there ARE good reasons to go modern IF you want to.

Since you are going to make a change of some sort anyway, they are both good options...choose the one you like best. The LS way you can put a nice overdrive trans in there for better fuel mileage cruising cross country too, while still having lower gearing for good off the line performance.

If you want to head out on road trips at all the LS swap is hard to beat for reliability, fuel mileage, performance, etc. A simple cam change and you are over 400 hp.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by anthonygazz

exactly what we've been saying, first we wanted to make it a trans am but then i just felt like a poser and we strayed from the idea and i finally convinced him to go down the resto-mod road. i love the Ls engines and im readily available to a LS1 or 2 for cheap. it looks like it will be a lot more work to stick with the poncho and make it how we want it, and it seems to be making more and more sense to go the LS route. a lot of great information so far

Hey I resemble that remark!

Starting out with a car engine really does help a lot due to already having the right accessory drive and intake. You should paint the engine metallic Pontiac blue.

[TimeWarp]

I don't view clone or tribute trans ams as being posers. You just like the look, go for it. It was just a package on the car...add the package. Not like you are changing VIN #s. Tons of people throw a formula hood on a car because they like the look. I don't worry what other people think too much. Part of the reason I never bought a Lamborghini kit car is because they look cheesy, and have cheesy components. If someone could bolt on a few things to a fiero and make it REALLY look or drive like a Lamborgini I'd buy one!