supercharged024

I am only considering an LS swap because the original 400 Pontiac is already gone. I am taking a break from my awd 81 Omega for a bit to get some work done on it. I actually bought this almost 7 years ago so I guess it's time to get going on it. Denise doesn't need a mega horsepower engine so I'm thinking an L33,LC9 aluminum 5.3. My first question is what is the weight savings from the fully dressed 400 poncho with the big ac compressor to the aluminum 5.3? I told her that the car will handle much better with I'm guessing 200 lbs. less over the front tires. It is a 4 speed car & I feel that I'd like to keep the T-10. With a little parts swapping I think I might buy the deeper gearset for the transmission & swap the 3.42 rear gears for 3.08's so i could still get some nice mpg & possibly keep the Dod if I decide to find an LC9. I'm finished with the rear quarters basically, still have the passengers floor to replace as far as panel replacement.

reedld

iTrader: (7)

My Ls1 TA without air weighs ~3300lbs. A friend of mine, Ryan (user name ryeguy2006a), had a 76 TA 400 4spd that recently swapped in a LS1/T56 and he said he did not notice any change in height. My vote is go LS...wiring can be overwhelming...but many people here to guide you. Fuel tank is not hard either. I mounted a 4th gen pump in a OEM 2nd gen tank...works great!

supercharged024

I've been working hard on the car. Had the entire front end torn apart. I was just going to give it a good cleaning with my neighbors pressure washer but I guess I took the cleaning to the next level. I'm on my phone right now so I'll try to post some pictures later.

Whiskeyboy84

iTrader: (8)

I have seen a bare block comparison and I believe the aluminum Ls1 was something like 150lbs lighter than a BBC which would be a close comparison to the 400 LOL. I vote for a 6.0 though. My aunt just spent a **** ton of cash and had Butler Performance build her a TH-400 and a 455 for her 1977 its a beast but I am not sure how long the factory leaf springs are going to keep that rear end in place.

supercharged024

I've been on vacation a couple weeks so making some headway.

1981TA

iTrader: (7)

Mine tips the scales at just under 3000 pounds, but I've got substantial weight reduction ('glass hood, lexan windows, aluminum bumper structure, composite rear leafs, etc. The drop in nose weight is a good part of the equation, but not all of it. Suspension, wheels, tires and brake mods all have an impact.

supercharged024

Well I've been working on the engine getting it tore apart and redone. Yep, lots of carbon on top of the pistons so got everything cleaned up. Honed the cylinders, new rings, bearings, gaskets, etc. Of course rid of the dod camshaft. Painted, and getting it reassembled. Gotta figure out how to post the pictures from my phone.

76larkman

My L33 weighed rite at 350lbs with only steering pump & bracket on it. no intake altenator, starter, intake or exhaust manifolds on. so you probably lose 100lbs anyway.

supercharged024

I've been working on it. It's in the garage. Guess I'll need to get to the computer to upload some pictures.

jimmyg

When you post a reply ,look at the symbols on that page touch the one that looks like a post card with a mountain on it. That's how it works from my I phone anyway

supercharged024

Here's some pictures

supercharged024

Some more

supercharged024

Let's see if I can load some more ..... I guess you can only post so many a day or something.

supercharged024

Try again. Yes, they are a little out of order but you can figure it out what's going on. If you look closely at the hood which was media blasted you can still see the faint image of the bird kind of etched into the metal. Kind of like being fossilized.

joyridin'

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure you want that oil pan hanging below the cross member? One good speed bump or something in the road and you just took out your engine.

Nice work on the car! Are you going to paint it the same gold?

supercharged024

It's the gm muscle car oil pan. It's just leaning down since the transmission isn't holding up the back end. Yes, going with the original color although I might put just a very small amount of pearl in the clear coat. Just enough to make it pop a little. Get the wheels refurbished, although I'm on the fence about that. Refurbish the originals for $700 or the 17" snowflake wheels are @800. I'm saving as much original parts as i can. The drums are still serviceable and one of the front coil springs still had a tag on it so I had the graphics shop on my route make some new ones. I know it's silly but it's the little things.

supercharged024

Got the exhaust system today. Pypes sgf11s, stainless 2 1/2".

reedld

iTrader: (7)

Be careful...that pan hangs very low. It is not the best pan for 2nd gen fbodies. I had that same exact pan before swapping it out for the fbody one. There is a member over on nastyz28 that destroyed their engine when the pan hit something. Good luck and nice work! My first TA was a 1980 gold hard top.

supercharged024

So which f body pan are you talking about?

reedld

iTrader: (7)

The ls1 fbody pan. The cts v pan fits as well but it does hang below crossmember but no where near what the LH8/hummer h3/gm muscle car pan ( 3 different names, same pan). There is a LS oil pan sticky here I believe. Also, there is a ton of info on nastyz28.