Street Lethal

Is this thing for real?

1LoudTA

iTrader: (11)

those old pontiac 400s suck.. hopefully hes got some good **** done

Street Lethal

With that particular year block, I definitely agree with you there. I just find the concept fascinating, although it really was just a matter of time before someone did it....

Ace$nyper

iTrader: (8)

Yea why? Those 400s were dogs.

Cool to see the work but why?

Street Lethal

Yeah, that's the only thing that demanded my attention. We had a pretty hard time installing a Poncho engine in an 84' Trans Am a few years back (with ample room in the engine bay), so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for them in the beginning stages...

OldSchoolFormula

Those old 400's sucked? Huh? Yea, maybe in a smog laden mid 70's Trans Am they were dogs but they were and still are a very good motor. You just gotta get rid of the smogger cams and the 7.9:1 compression.

zigroid

iTrader: (22)

you guys saying pontiac 400s suck have never heard of ram air IV firebirds.

mramay

iTrader: (4)

Another problem that will occur with this car is that as a '98, it has to have OBD II for emissions and all the emissions crap installed. Does anyone know of a state that will allow an older engine in a newer chassis? Every one I've heard about allows a newer engine in there as long as it has the appropriate emissions "stuff" installed, but has specific regulations against putting in an older engine. I'd love to take the '87 engine out of my car and install a '67 just to be able to do anything to it.

Bet the new owner that buys it can't get it registered.

Street Lethal

There are definitely ways to fabricate a newer OBD II system to comply with the Poncho engine. An engine, despite it's era, is just a giant air pump. I've known people who converted Tunnel Ram's for the Pontiac engine, into Holley Stealth Ram's, by welding injector bosses into it. They'd then install the knock sensor in the Poncho's drain plug, hook up the MAF/MAP sensors, and, voila, instant Pontiac 455 Tuned Port Injection...

EPA also has regulations against placing a heavier engine into a car that was designed for a much lighter one. I'll give you an example. My 86' is currently running a small block 454, but just a few short months ago, it was running an early 70's 454 big block. Before swapping to the small block, I seriously contemplated going with an early 90's 454 TBI from a truck, complete, with ECM, and all of the emission controls. Newer engine, older car, but EPA still said "no, too heavy for the vehicle"....

tuske427

iTrader: (1)

looks like a firebird that was "upgraded" with older technology. won't be legal to drive in most states. it was probalby fun to build, though. The Pontiac fanatics I know say the 400 block is better to work with than the 455 because of thicker material on the bottom end. they say you can stroke these enginges to a 460 something (462, 463??) and have an engine better than a 455. I don't know much on the years and heads/ breathing. but I'm sure they make a difference.

Brains

iTrader: (7)

Bet its slower than a stock LS1 with a converter and gears.

chaman

iTrader: (5)

I wouldnt be too fast saying it woukld be slower than a LS1. Those can be built to be really powerful and the guy sounds like it knows what hes doing. I know one thing that engine there must sound like heaven at idle!!

Anti-Vnm

iTrader: (14)

Now, Imagine that engine with fuel injection and 10.5:1 compression and a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads. Oh wait, then it wouldn't be an LS1, so it really wouldn't be that cool

ex-SS-ve

iTrader: (9)

eww. that cars a nugget!

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

There was never such a thing as a Ram Air IV Firebird or Trans Am. The RA IV engines were in GTOs. Perhaps you are talking about the Super Duty 455 engines that were in Firebirds and Trans Ams in 73 and 74.

Andrew

jrivera04

I don't really care for it. Something bothers me about it. Maybe the color of the block or the way that the hood lines are not flowing correclty.

Phoenix 5.7

iTrader: (7)

EPA? Emmisions? whats that? its interesting, but why the hell? what is the point? if u want a carbed engine, put a carb on the ls1.

OldSchoolFormula

Ugh... yes there were. There were RA4 Firebirds in '69 and in '70 in Trans Am's. Anyway, a RA2 '68 Firebird would lay the smack down as well....

Anyway, on one of the boards I frequent theres a guy with a modded RA4 equipped '79 T/A with a TKO - throws down 443RWHP N/A, on pump gas. Not too shabby.

thirteen20z28

I had a '72 BBC in my '84 Z28, daily driver, when I lived in MI (Berrien County). All you need is a title and insurance for registration. No inspection, smog check, nothing. And I imagine there are several other states/counties still like this.

Street Lethal

Not for long though, unfortunately. Everybody in the industry is quite aware that EPA regulations are a complete joke (it's a scam). But it's a profitable scam, one that simply can't be stopped, only delayed for awhile, until the entire country is consumed by it.