[Pontiguy70]

Wondering if anyone on here has an 81 5.0 T/A. More specific, can someone tell me what the distance is between the carb mounting pad on the intake and the underside of the hood? I need to get some kind of idea of what aftermarket intake manifold can be used.

My original 305 is long gone. And although I am not a fan of Chevy engines in a Pontiac, a 350 is the easiest thing to put back in as I have all the brackets, hardware, and 5.0 shaker.

Thanks

[jerry455]

You could have a lot of fun with a 383 version of a 350 SBC. it would be fun to make it look stock but have more cubes and more power. I had a 1986 Grand Prix with a 150 hp 305 and we built a stock looking home built ZZ3 350 that made a lot more power and it looked like the stock 305 that was in it. I had an Edelbrock Performer intake that was a tiny bit taller than the stock intake. Sleepers can be fun. There are many size options for a SBC.

[Skip Fix]

And there are even high end 430+ci stroker SBCs!

[Trevor78]

I'm all for Chevs going back in where one came out, it's allowed for originality! But they simply drop in, nothing to swap sides or modify, and the largest aftermarket part access of any. Like others have said, I'd drop in something angry but keep it looking stock. And that includes making the shaker work even if stock intake height adjusted, I can't help there, and I suspect that due to the rarity somewhat of a 305 TA, that shakers and aircleaner are hard to find and most don't get used anyway, suggestions of what works will be far less than other engine upgrades.

[burd]

Put a Pontiac engine in there, as Steve says, NO CORPORATE NONSENSE

[Pontiguy70]

Yeah, I could put one of my Pontiac engines in. Have plenty to choose from. But in this case, I am leaning toward the easiest route. Again, I have all the correct brackets and accessories, including a/c for it. I have no interest in collecting all of this for a changeover. 20 years ago, I had everything needed. But I have scaled the collection back. I already have a freshly bored 350 Chebby roller block and Vortec heads with mild porting done by Racekrafters sitting in the basement. At least I am not thinking of going the LS route.

[Pontiguy70]

Trevor,

That is another reason for going the corporate route. The shakers are different. And I have the original shaker with the 5.0 on it. Kind of funny looking. I dont have any Pontiac shakers anymore.
I would guess there will be plenty of "experts" out at the shows who will say they never made such a thing. This is actually the second one I have had.

Unrelated, but HPP magazine had a "Matching Numbers" series of articles way back in the day. The info they had was that 1981 T/A and Firebirds could only be gotten with 3.08 and numerically lower axle ratios. But both of these 5.0 4 speed cars I have had experience with had 3.42 posi........I mean Safe-t-track. And my build sheet verifies it.

[Skip Fix]

My 81 Turbo 301 TA is a 3.08.

When I was in N CA about 81 there was a 5.0 TA that autocrossed with the big group at Pleasanton Fairgrounds.

[P@blo]

1981 305 automatic all original and I measure 7.25" from carb mounting pad to the hood at the low point in front of the shaker opening. Keep in mind I was eyeballing but dit it from both sides a few times and got the same 7.25".

Let me know if you need more measurements.

Brent

[P@blo]

I should mention 1981 fully optioned TA 305 th350 3.08:1 axle Canadian car.

The 305 shaker is different and are unique to the SBC TAs. Your car came with a SBC so that's what belongs there. Worth more with a stroked sbc and pulling the original and putting it aside. Nobody looking would know the difference. That and your shaker "should" say 5.0 Litre

[Pontiguy70]

Hey Brent,

Thanks for the info. I would assume the Canadian model has the same intake manifold. Can you see the casting number on yours?
I have narrowed it down to 2 numbers.

Thanks

Darren

[P@blo]

Originally Posted by Pontiguy70

Hey Brent,

Thanks for the info. I would assume the Canadian model has the same intake manifold. Can you see the casting number on yours?
I have narrowed it down to 2 numbers.

Thanks

Darren

Hi Darren nice to meet you.

Mine has the casting: 14014440 GM K8

[jerry455]

It should be the same aluminum 4-barrel manifold that was on any 4-barrel engine in that time frame.

[P@blo]

Not sure Jerry but mine is cast iron.

[77 TRASHCAN]

That aluminum stock intake is a ringer for an iron intake looks no different. Performs same.

[P@blo]

No gain in going to the aluminum 14014432 they are the same intake configuration. Iike 77 mentoned in his post.

[Trevor78]

Weight savings

[P@blo]

Good catch Trevor. These cars are 18 second cars so if you have the cast iron I would not lose much sleep over using it. And if you are driving a TA there should only be 3-4 gallons of gas in the tank anyhow.

That and leave the big bag of sugar that normally sits next to you at home too.

[Pontiguy70]

Ok, that just went a different direction than I was thinking. I thought for sure it would have been one of the aluminum numbers from those years. Good info.

[Pontiguy70]

I wonder why GM would use both cast iron and aluminum intakes on very similar engines during the same years.