1978 Trans Am 5.3 swap
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
I went from having the Pontiac 400 to the 5.3. In my opinion the 5.3 is alot stronger. With the setup I am running it will burn the tires from a standing start all the way through first and second. I am happy with the results performance wise. I just need to get a better tune for it and maybe squeeze out a little bit more. Do the swap you wont regret it!
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
I went from having the Pontiac 400 to the 5.3. In my opinion the 5.3 is alot stronger. With the setup I am running it will burn the tires from a standing start all the way through first and second. I am happy with the results performance wise. I just need to get a better tune for it and maybe squeeze out a little bit more. Do the swap you wont regret it!
I am still pondering a 5.3L swap in my 80 T/A and my 94 Fleetwood.
Probably do the Fleetwood first, it is a heavy beast, but was thinking of using 4.10's or 3.90's in it to make up for the loss of torque over the LT1 at low rpms (LT1's make >300 lb/ft torque from 1600 rpm to around 4000 rpm).
Sounds like a fun running car!
Probably do the Fleetwood first, it is a heavy beast, but was thinking of using 4.10's or 3.90's in it to make up for the loss of torque over the LT1 at low rpms (LT1's make >300 lb/ft torque from 1600 rpm to around 4000 rpm).
Sounds like a fun running car!
I went from having the Pontiac 400 to the 5.3. In my opinion the 5.3 is alot stronger. With the setup I am running it will burn the tires from a standing start all the way through first and second. I am happy with the results performance wise. I just need to get a better tune for it and maybe squeeze out a little bit more. Do the swap you wont regret it!
Before my current project I swapped an LS1/4L60e in my '78 TA....GOD I miss that car. That car was gorgeous when I was done...the new owner is finishing the stuff I never did.
Way more seat of the pants feeling...than my 400 or 403 and fantastic economy.
Dave
Man I miss her...
Way more seat of the pants feeling...than my 400 or 403 and fantastic economy.
Dave
Man I miss her...
That is the blue of my 80 Turbo!
Before my current project I swapped an LS1/4L60e in my '78 TA....GOD I miss that car. That car was gorgeous when I was done...the new owner is finishing the stuff I never did.
Way more seat of the pants feeling...than my 400 or 403 and fantastic economy.
Dave
Man I miss her...
Way more seat of the pants feeling...than my 400 or 403 and fantastic economy.
Dave
Man I miss her...
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Missouri
Some beautiful Trans Ams here. Just wondering, what is the total cost for these swaps into these T/A's? And not just what you paid for the engine/trans/, but everything to get it in and running and driving, and what does it run at the track? Reason I asked is simple; I'm betting that with the money spent, that some things are money that needed not to be spent on the old engines to run every bit as well. Hey, I'm just throwing it out there to see cost vs return. And what was each one's reason for the conversion? power? mpg? just to join the in thing? Just asking.
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On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
I haven't updated this in quite awhile. I am happy to say that the swap is great and I am very pleased with the results. I do have a problem of it running a little bit rich but I am sure that all it needs is to have a good tune installed. Anyways last weekend I finally got the shaker scoop installed. It is not functional anymore but it completes the look of the car. I would like to thank everyone that helped me with this project and answering my many questions!
Great swaps! I love these old Birds. That blue color is my favorite too.
Talk about the best of both worlds...that classic badass stying with modern power and driveability/economy.
I want one!!
Talk about the best of both worlds...that classic badass stying with modern power and driveability/economy.
I want one!!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Took the Trans Am out tonight and did a little acceleration pull. Car is running great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdyvX...el_video_title
Congrats on the car it looks and sounds great!!! Your thread has some good info and answers some of the questions I had about my plans. Would love to get some more information on what you did for fuel, mounted the ecu etc. THE BIG question is did you use all the truck accessories with the Kwik alt and PS bracket, how did you get the car intake with throttle cable to work with the truck accessories.
If I could use the truck accessories for and LQ4 I have a set of new LS6 heads and LS6 intake with a nice little cam it would make for a decent runner..better than the 77 400 I have in there now.
Here is what I'm putting it in:
If I could use the truck accessories for and LQ4 I have a set of new LS6 heads and LS6 intake with a nice little cam it would make for a decent runner..better than the 77 400 I have in there now.
Here is what I'm putting it in:
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: CHI-TOWN
If I had that car Id leave the motor set up as is or do a newer turbo motor