78T/a

Hey guys

Im in the process of deciding where to take my 78 Trans Am build. Im trying to decide where i want to go with my engine. I have a Pontiac 400 in now and its not to bad, prolly around 350 hp. At first i was sure that i was going to put a forged internal 455 with a roller cam hoping to make around 500+. Then I saw an ls1 swaped 77 trans am and , and now im not sure if want to go with the 455 or a modern ls series motor . My questions are regarding the strength and durability of a stock ls1. Im trying to watch my money as I do my project and Im looking for the best hp for the $. The 455 is appealing for the power that comes from the cubic inches but its expensive. Ive seen full running ls1's for far less then the 455 short block i had planned. Could an ls1 make 500+ with stock internals and what kind of money is needed to get it there. Also there is an "ls3" for sale near by, how can i tell its an ls3 and not an ls1?

Thanks Mike

Zmg00camaross

iTrader: (11)

500 hp in the motor or at the wheels. At the motor wouldnt be to hard to reach but at the wheels you would need some high dollar heads AFR maybe worked over by Tony Mamo and a ported Fast, or a vic jr intake since you have the room. and custom spec cam.

LTX355

iTrader: (15)

its possible but hard to make 500 to the ground. takes just about all the best parts and a heavy cam. The ls3 is diff in so many ways. cam sensor location knock sensors etc.. look for rectangle port heads and for the ls3 head casting # in the search. 500 in an ls3 is a cam swap away.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Moving to Nub Tech.

78T/a

500+ engine horse power. Would it be cheaper to go with the higher displacement ls3 to make that power, or build up an ls1.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

I have been building pontiacs for around 30 years and it is MUCH cheaper to make big power with a Gen III/IV setup no doubt... It should be plenty dependable/ drivable too...

My 403 in the works should make 500+rwhp (a4) and run easy 10's while having DD manners. To top it off the EPS/Comp marine lobe cam should be much easier than my current XFI/X-ER cam and provide for a relatively trouble free valvetrain. These motors are better in almost every way to the old stuff. This coming from a guy who built 3 Pontiac 400's from 79-83... and has experience with a couple 455 builds with friends....

Pickup a motor PCM and harness and you are well on your way. You can make almost any tranny work with fairly minimal expense/mods....

Edit: BTW my cars were 68 GTO,77 and 79 Birds.. To this day the 77 was the favorite I ever had.. Was quick as lightening with ported heads, forged internals, Edelbrock IM, cam, 750 DP, sidepipes, etc... I think it was my fave cause in addition to the raw HP it had Rancho springs , bars and shocks that I could scare the **** outta people with and about sling them out the window..