[Goldie]

Well i am thinking about buying a 1978 pontiac firebird formula so i can finally join the community but here is the thing it is just the car no engine no transmission and well i have found a pontiac 400 ci. and a th-400 is this a good idea i am getting the car for $400 and the engine and transmission for $100? Help i need info quick

[Goldie]

Looking at a 350 simply because the jerks out here that think the only good racing is small blocks. I think i will be the only one i race with with a big block if you can call it that. But i dont kno we will see whenever it really comes down to time. Also the people helping me build it dont know what to do with anything but big blocks. So if you guys on here can help me make this into a fast 7sec big block i would love that. but that is the reason why a 350...

[Goldie]

how do i read that... do i look at the engine i have or want

[Goldie]

Well i am thinking about buying a 1978 pontiac firebird formula so i can finally join the community but here is the thing it is just the car no engine no transmission and well i have found a pontiac 400 ci. and a th-400 is this a good idea i am getting the car for $400 and the engine and transmission for $100? Help i need info quick

[mikeb]

Join DAPA

Lots of contacts and info there.

www.dapa.org

[larry davis]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jennifer:
How can i make this into a 455 like what do you need to do and buy to make this into a 455? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why do you have to have a 455?
The aforementioned DAPA has numerous members to assist in locating what you want. Try Steve Barcak, he's relatively close too.

[Brian Baker]

Provided the block is not cracked, I'd say you were stealing it for $100.

$400 is not much for this car, what kind of shape is it in?

[Goldie]

the link doesnt work...

[Brian Baker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jennifer:
Well the reason it is in this forum is because it will not be a daily driver this would be a temp. set up for a 1/8th mile drag car. I am just looking to see if it was a good idea. I am really thinking about puttin a 350 in it to race. Just this to get it running. The reason i am not buying a running car is beacuse i want to do the work and invest the moeny myself not get somthing some one else did. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You'll save a ton of money buying something finished, trust me.

My T/A is now up for sale, asking $5500 (minus engine and tranny), and the chassis is certified to 7.50 (1/4 mile). Let's just say that I spent way more than double what I'm asking to build this chassis/body.

[mikeb]

One thing to watch for - that car probably came with a TH-350. The TH-400 will fit but you'll have to modify the trans crossmember and find a driveshaft that will work (or have one made).

Also, the 350 takes a kickdown cable and the 400 uses an electric kickdown switch near the gas pedal.

I just went through this swap on my 79 bird (TH-350 -&gt; TH-400) and those were the issues I found.

Still, $100 for both is a steal.

And yes the 400 responds well to mods, and you can put in a stroker kit and make a "455" out of it.

It's more of a bolt-in if the block has the dual engine mount pattern (5 bolt holes per side) or the later pattern (3 bolt holes per side). Earlier blocks have 2 bolt holes and you may have to scramble a bit to engineer a workable engine mount for the 78 frame.

On the body look for rust around the rear wheel wells, the rear window, and the floorpan.

[Brian Baker]

I'm a big tall fat burly guy that never likes to shave, and loosely resemble the character "Mongo" from the Mel Brooks movie "Blazing Saddles". Someone here on the board hung that name on me at least 4 years ago and it has stuck ever since.

I'll send an email tonight or tomorrow with some detailed pics.

Asking $5500 minus engine/tranny.

[69Goat1]

Why are you thinking about a 350 (Chevy I presume) that 400 can do anything the 350 Chevy can do...

[Brian Baker]

Me Mongo. Me just pawn in game of life. Me have car for sale. Me think car perfect for you if you want build race car.

LOL! Seriously. I finally got the chassis certification last week, it's good to 7.50's until it expires (in 2 years or 3 years, I forget which). When it's time to renew, it will only be good to 8.50's due to recent NHRA rule changes.

I'd be happy to send you more detailed pictures and information, just drop me an email. Roger (Ol' Pinion Head) is in Oklahoma and has contacts, he can probably find someone to deliver it inexpensively. Or you can bring your own trailer to Norwalk and I'll deliver it there. Something can always be worked out.

[Goldie]

Well i want somthing that i can say i built. I want somthing that can hit people and keep them looking. My prob. is i want pontiac power but no one around here even knows what a pontiac is none the less do they know that it can create power. So i am getting a rolling chassis and then somthing that i can build that is my point.


If you guys have any suggestions on this i would love your help.

[slgenge]

Jenifer this is my 2 cents.You have the Pontiac Southern nationals in a couple of weeks.There will be pontiac venders from all over the country plus many members of PY that will be there.There are Many Pontiac Guys in your area that would probaly help you and send you in the right direction.
#1 Do your research
#2 ask Qustions there are no Dumb Qustions
#3 A pontiac is not a big block all Pontiacs are the same external dimentions but different bore and stroke.
#4no problem to get 400 hp out of a 400 cu pontiac.

Good Luck on your Project


Shawn

[old68goat]

Jennifer -- after having built several cars out of 'donors' i strongly suggest that unless you have both mechanical skills and lots of money i would buy something running. while it looks to be more expensive now, it will be much less costly in the mid- and long-term. my 2 cents. good luck.

[Goldie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

Hey! Buy this car for a steal, part it out, then buy Mongo's! You could be racing this year! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What do you mean who is Mongo? I am lost but thanks for the inspiration. I appricaite it i mean any woman helping me out in this industry is great. I dont have a race team it is just me lol... So it is all my work.. i am hoping to get to put together a team eventually but we will see what happens in the future.

[Major Payne]

Something like this might be interesting:

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0306_pont/

[larry davis]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brian Baker:
You'll save a ton of money buying something finished, trust me.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep!

[Lady Dude]

Sorry Jen..try this link..

http://angelfire.com/fl4/pontiacdude428/MyShadow2.html