JabaTheOnly

I was just recently looking at a 79 firebird. I heard they are dogs stock but they can be built very strong I was wondering if the 301 can really make some good power.

blue02formula

iTrader: (1)

IMO no, you throw enough money at anything, you can make it fast I guess. I had two GP's with 301's and they had no ***** whatsoever.

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

to make a 301 run, especially a non-turbo....would cost more then to buy a 400 or 455 and drop it in. its not worth the time or effort, unless you want to do something really different. if you want to buy it, either use it as a cruiser and just drive it, or put another motor in. the only way a 301 turbo could even spin the tires is in the rain. even a stock 403 has more ***** then a 301.

JabaTheOnly

Aww man thanks for letting me know. Im not really a big block guy and im just trying to hit mid 10s so ill prob just go 383 in it. Will the tranny from the 301 hold up to the 383 pretty good? Also what kind of rear came in the 78 or 79 models?

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

if I remember correctly the 301's crappy performance was matched to an equally crappy tranny, I think it was the 200R4, not sure though

just slap a Pontiac 400 or 455 in there, it will be cheaper than converting it to use a chebby engine.

the mounts crossmembers everything is the same on all Pontiac engines

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

"just trying to hit mid 10s"......and youre NOT a big block guy? good luck with that, unless youre planning on running enough nitrous to knock out a small town. theres no stock trans around that would last under repeated mid 10 runs, if thats what you actually are going to do. a built 350 or TH 400 would be the best choice for autos. the rear could be anything. stock was a 10 bolt, ratio was probably high. 2.43s or the like.

Villain281H

iTrader: (5)

I agree with the above comments, ditch the 301 for something else if you want serious power. A 383 can be built to run mid 10s on bottle without too much trouble, but running it N/A in a car that heavy will be a task. A 455 poncho motor built right or a BBC will get you there N/A if you assemble a good combo.

Good luck!

Derek

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

Most stock trans are sucky stock, but the 200R4 is a winner when built up. A guy runs a GN that does 9 or 10s with a built 200R4

However, the Chev 383 won't bolt up to it since it's a Pontiac trans.

10s aren't as easy as you might think. You'll either need a ton of money dumped into NA, NOS or forced induction. Even more than the later F-Bodies since the 1st and 2nd gens weigh a bit more. The 3rd and 4th weigh in around 3300-3500lbs. And the 301 can't get out of it's own way no matter if it's turbo or not lol

fast

iTrader: (24)

alright knuckleheads let's straighten a little of this mess up

#1 late-70s firebirds didn't come w/ 200-4r's (think the '89 TTA was the only 'bird that did)
#2 a 383 SBC will bolt up to a 200-4r . . . there are versions with dual bellhousing bolt patterns (like the ones from monte SS or the one from a 305 powered grand prix)

I wish more people would build real pontiac engines . . . but they can get pricey

not sure if the rear is an 8.5" or 7.5" (what year was the change made?) the 8.5 is pretty tough (again the GN reference for strength)

find a bonneville or catalina with a 400 or 455 and swap em, add headers and a nice intake for sure . . . cam if ya like

regardless I hope you enjoy the hell outta your 'bird
have fun

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

you should be able to find a 400 pretty cheap, most people immediately think to ditch them for an SBC, but they arent that more expensive to build into very strong Torque monsters

a guy down the street from me has a 650hp (seen the dyno sheet) 455 (stroked ) in a 69 Firebird. He has put money in the engine, but its not as expensive as you would think, buy all the little stuff it takes to put a SBC in will make that more expensive.

Formula350

iTrader: (3)

I'm sure a motorhome or two was built with a 455 as well lol

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

i dont know about motorhomes having 455s. most ive seen or heard of had big chryslers or big block chevys.

30thanniv

iTrader: (2)

This site has some great information on ls1's. But when it comes to 2nd gen stuff forget it.
The 301 is a smog dog economy engine.
I will offer no advice on how to go mid 10's to you because, if you have to ask then you are not ready.
Where did you pull that number from? Fast and the furious was just a movie dude.
Learn to walk before you run.

JohnnyBs98WS6Rag

iTrader: (1)

The only thing good about the Pontiac 301 is that you can swap in a Pontiac 400 or 455 and only the keen-eyed would be able to tell the difference. SLEEPER!

Keep it Pontiac powered. Built 455, TH400 and a 9" should get you into the 10s pretty easy.

90TSiAWD

Yes exactly dont put a SBC in it for gods sake, or any Chevrolet engine....Pontiacs are torque monters!! I read an article in car craft they pulled a 455 out of a junk yard slapped a cam, heads, and a few other parts and it made 450 l/b ft of torque at 2,000 RPM and had a max of 550 TQ and 550HP!!! with no internal mods!

I just picked up a '80 Indy Pace Car Trans Am (for only 1,000 I might add) it has a 301 Turbo and yes there dogs the turbos made decent TQ i think 345 but there still only good for one thing and thats a boat anchor and the trannies were Turbo 350's I think the ones in the non-turbo 301's might have been metric though.
Im gettin ready to swap a 400 in it, i found one locally for 250 bucks, Ive got an intake, headers, cam, holley carb, and a decent set of #17 heads for it.

blue02formula

iTrader: (1)

toplessHO

iTrader: (25)

Ive got a 301 4bbl core motor if you want to try the 4 bbl model.
$25 gets it.
I think a nickle will get stuck in the ports.

aliens611

the stock rear end is ok. if you lucky enough to have the rear end with the 2.73 rear gears then you don't have to change out the carrier to change your gears. i went up to 4.56 gears on my 79 ta and it worked fine. if you have 2.43 or smaller gears then you will have to change out the carrier before you can change the gears to anything else. just check your build sheet if you have it or do some research with your vin number. good luck.

toplessHO

iTrader: (25)

I believe the stock trans for the 301 was a 200 metric.

aliens611

my old 79 ta with the 301 had a 350 tranny. still it was a slug but it was still cool.