[iron man]

Due to rust I'm planning on stripping my 1966 Tempest of its 400, Turbo 350, and 8.2 rearend. I'd like to install them in a 1981 Gran Prix I already have. The Gran Prix is a V-6 car, I know I'll need the 301 framemounts, can I get them out of any car with a 301 or are they Gran Prix specific? What manual steering box will bolt in the Prix without a lot of work? I read Ol' Pinion Heads response to Bigunde about putting a rearend
in a '78 or so LeMans, it sounds like all I need to do is come up with a pair of '68 to '72 A-body upper trailing arms and I can bolt my '66 8.2 rearend under the Prix. Am I reading this correctly? Will I have modify the trans tunnel to clear the Turbo 350? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Iron Man.

[iron man]

Due to rust I'm planning on stripping my 1966 Tempest of its 400, Turbo 350, and 8.2 rearend. I'd like to install them in a 1981 Gran Prix I already have. The Gran Prix is a V-6 car, I know I'll need the 301 framemounts, can I get them out of any car with a 301 or are they Gran Prix specific? What manual steering box will bolt in the Prix without a lot of work? I read Ol' Pinion Heads response to Bigunde about putting a rearend
in a '78 or so LeMans, it sounds like all I need to do is come up with a pair of '68 to '72 A-body upper trailing arms and I can bolt my '66 8.2 rearend under the Prix. Am I reading this correctly? Will I have modify the trans tunnel to clear the Turbo 350? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Iron Man.

[engineer]

any car with a 301 will have the right frame mounts, but you will need to determine what year the 400 block is because if it is a 67, you will need the early style motor mount adapters to fit it in this later body car.

[iron man]

Thanks Engineer. I was starting to feel like I was in a Pink Floyd song. Hello, is there anybody in there? Well, can anybody help with my other questions? My 400 block is a '67 and I have aquired the adaptors, but I need the frame mounts, etc. Is Indian Adventures the only place making headers for this combination? Their headers look great and I've heard good things about them but they're a little out of my price range. Will the '68 to '72 HO or RA exhaust manifolds fit? Help!

[RA462]

IA is the only one that makes 4 tube headers for the 78-87 GP's. I've been told the 3 tube headers will fit. I also met a guy at the Tri-power nats. with a 84 GP RA IV. He used the RA IV manifolds with no problems. I tried headers for the 64-72 GTO/70-81 Firebird and 67-69 Firebird with no luck. Now I have to sell my RA III heads, buy Edelbrock's, and buy IA headers! Good luck. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[iron man]

Thanks RA462. I should have such bad luck! I've got a set of three tube headers on my '66 now, could I be so fortunate that they would fit. I've thought of another question too. Will the V-6 front springs hold up to the V-8's added weight? I still need confirmation on the 1966 8.2 rearend bolting in, is there a manual steering box that bolts up with any degree of ease, and do I need to take the hammer to the transmission tunnel. Inquiring minds want to know.....Iron Man.

[Maurice Hood]

IA makes headers for the 78-87 A and G bodies for both the round port and "D" port heads. I have a set of the "D" port headers on my 78 LeMans they fit good and went on easy. They are more expensive than Hookers but are a nice unit. I'm happy with mine!

Maurice

[iron man]

I appreciate your input Morris. Can you answer any of my other questions? Will the manual steering box off the '66 work. I've heard alot of people use the S-10 steering box in applications like this, will it work on my 1981 Gran Prix. This car will primarily be for playing on the street and strip so I don't want the power steering. I really do appreciate your input! Thanks!....Iron Man.

[iron man]

Oops! Sorry about messing up your name Maurice! You have my apologies!....Iron Man.

[Maurice Hood]

No Problem, The 350 tansmission will fit without serious mods though there isn't much room leftover. I just used motor mounts and frame mounts for a 79 Firebird ( or TA ) and everything fit fine. As I understand it the old 8.2 rearend isn't much stronger than the 7.5 that is in your GP now. I put a 8.5 in mine from a 71 Olds, had it narrowed, and used a ladderbar setup. The Buick Grandnationals and Type "T" Turbos have a 8.5 that is a direct swap but they are getting a little expensive. I hope this helps.

Maurice

[iron man]

My 8.2 already has 4.10 gears, a mini-spool, and lift bars, I'm just trying to limit my expenses. Looks like on the rest of this stuff I'll just have to trial and error it. I do appreciate your input...Iron Man

[iron man]

This weekend I drove by my '81 Gran Prix body. (It's stored behind my Dad's machine shed.) While I've always liked this body style, it's really starting to grow on me! This could be cool! Will it weigh in at less than my Tempest's 3,700 pounds? The shorter wheelbase should be easier to hook. I'm eager to get started but it's cold and I don't have a shop. We'll have to see...Iron Man.

[engineer]

put V8 front springs in it, get the 78-80 Grand Am rally suspension package with the larger sway bars if you can find one. Why not keep the PS already on the V6? It should bolt up to the block okay. Don't forget the radiator for a V8, the older rear is probably too wide, measure drum to drum and compare. The cross member is only made for a turbo 200, and has only one hump for the single exhaust. You need an earlier one with two humps for duals. I assume you will drop the convertor?

[iron man]

I have a crossmember out of a 1973 LeMans, does it require major surgery to fit under the '81? I also have a radiator from a 301 equipped 1979 Gran Prix. Before you say it, the car is already gone and it took it's frame mounts with it. As far as the power steering goes, I've always wanted a drag car. It doesn't need power steering to go straight. I doubt it ever actually sees the street, there's nothing around here to play with anyway. So is there a manual steering box that would work on the '81? Thanks...Iron Man.

[JeffGut]

Has any one actually used the 3 tube headers on the G body cars? I have an 82 with a 400 and stock manifolds

[engineer]

Never ever saw a manual gear box in a 78-81? Suspect the 66 manual will definitely bolt on the frame, but don't know about the pitman arm from car matching upto the 66 box, I guess I would try it since you have the parts already.

[mike nixon]

re the suspension ?'s. 81- 7 g/p, cutlass, monte carlo,regal diesel.

the springs will hold up the car, the sway bars are heavier than the v-8 units, the radiator will cool the 400 if it's a good clean one.

use the p/s you'll never regret it and the tighter ratio may save your sheetmetal.

the i/a headers that i've seen are nice units. i plan to use their product on my gto when it gets the "warmed over" engine.

btw guys; i'm still looking for ductwork for a 78-87 g/p - lemans-grand am, anybody have any or know where some is? i'll buy a system for the ducts if the price is right.
mike

[iron man]

I'm not having any luck finding the 301 motor mount pedestals. The salvage yards around here say they didn't bother to pull any 301's, they just crushed the car complete. Sorry, Mike I pitched all the duct work out of my '81 in August and the '79 Gran Prix I gave away was complete, all the ducting was there. Any way, the search goes on.

[johnadge]

Hi I have 2 79 grandprixs one with a 67 400 the other
a 69 350, both have hedman 3 tube headers for a 66& up lemans in them. my gp's weigh in at 3800lbs,as far
as the rear goes the 8.2 is a little wider, theres a kit available from hotchkiss for the rear swap.my
400 car has eaten 3 beefed up 7.5 rears.I also heard
the 8.2 isn't much stronger.I bit the bullet and put
a 8.5 gn rear with a auburn posi and no problems yet.
currie enterprises offered to build me a 9" ford rear
for 2500.00("guaranteed"not to blow, up to 500hp) but the gn rears are about 800.00.

[johnadge]

Have you tried Nunzi's(718) 837-1135
He might have them,I got my adapters for the 67 400 motor from him.