81 Turbo T/A performance mods?
 

I am going to look at one and I am wondering what good mods there are. I heard the 301 was shit though, but I might as well work with what I have. So can I just swap out the turbo for one big ass one and just run it until it dies? Or should I just swap the motor for a 455? Is the 301 worth my time?
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i think they had to use nitrous to get the 1980 turbo t/a to do burnouts in Smokey and the bandit 2. it really was a turd :lol:

if you want it as a driver/cruiser/show car, keep it stock. if you really want to play with it, do a motor swap. anything can be built up, but it would be so much easier and cheaper to drop in a 400 or 455. not to mention a massive aftermarket support, as compared to a 301.

http://www.301garage.com/

The 301 is a weak engine. Do not try to build it up and expect it to live very long. It was very good for what it was - a drastic attempt at downsizing and weight reduction, which was successful, but that came at a price.

Either keep it all stock and don't rag on it too much, or plan on swapping in a different engine. The good news is just about any 350/400/455 will bolt right in.

I'd keep the original engine all stock and restore it, and drop in a 400 or 455 if I wanted to play. It's a 2nd gen TA and prices on them are on the way up, so if it's in good shape, it's a good way to get one at a reasonable price.

Ok thanks, anyways this is the car I am looking at. $2500 and comes with a spare transmission and a few other oddball or new parts.. Tell me what you guys think, he said it was a WS6 and he doesn't know of the Recaro seats are original or not but he said they bolted into the stock holes. I know some cars came with them.


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You know...i have always been intrigued by these motors couldn't a few simple mods like a better tranny, an intercooler for the Turbo(even possible?) or even headers help the car out?

Sure, but as soon as you make more power and spin it much past 4500 rpm, you're going to snap the crankshaft.

The 301 crank only has 2 counterweights - one on the front, and one on the back. Above 4500 rpm, you risk generating enough flex to cause the crankshaft to fail.

retardedpenguin, it looks good in those pics. If it doesn't have any rust, it's definitely worth $2500. Check the rear fender quarters, floor pan (both front and rear seat areas) and trunk. Those are the primary rust spots. I'm not sure about the 80-81, but I think WS6 cars came with 4 wheel discs and you got rear drums on non-WS6 cars.

I am a huge Trans Am fan, and I can recite the entire dialogue/script from "Smokey and the Bandit", not to mention all the words to the song "East bound and Down"... but...
I would rather dump $2500 into a diesel VW Rabbit.
Sorry, man.

Why is that?

Also guys, will the 301 turbo assembly bolt up to a 455? That is what I am putting in it and I saw somewhere that it should bolt up to it.

dont listen to him. 2500, IF its in as good a shape as depicted, ie: no rust or rot anywhere, runs/drives, everything works, etc, is a steal, regardless of the 301. the solid body alone is worth that, let alone the fully loaded options it seems to have. buy it and put another motor in it, or get the 78 and have even more to play with in terms of options.

I don't think it will bolt up. The 301 is a low deck block, so while it looks very similar, some critical dimensions have changed.

Even if it would bolt up - the 301's turbo would only be an intake restriction on a 455. It's too small for the 301. It would choke a 455.

Just keep the 301 turbo stock and original for collectablity and drop in a 455 if you want to play. If there's no hidden rust or other problems and the car is as advertised, I'd pay $2500 for it in a heart beat.

I'd be all over that car for $2500 . Buy it and dont look back . Thats an awesome price . Do some reserarch on the 301 turbo cars . Ppl are really doing some neat stuff with them these days .

Yeah it has 4 wheel disk brakes, so it should be a WS6.. If it was an SE car it would be even better.

Were WS6 cars separate from the SE?

It should be a WS6 with 4 Wheel brakes.

It looks in pretty good shape for 2500. I had a '80 Indy Pace car took that 301 out a used it as a boat anchor...haha.....they are JUNK!

I swapped in a Pontiac 400 from a '68 GTO with a nice set of heads, cam, headers, Holley DP, etc....it was nice shouldnt of sold it :(

Andy yes they are right no engine parts from the 301 will bolt up its a "fake" Pontiac motor as said above short deck.

Swap in a 400 or 455 but for the love of god keep it Pontiac!

Clear choice, restore it and keep the 301T just as a collector car.

Turn it into a performance car by dropping a 400 in it.

Plan on doing that, don't think I could even sell the 301T for enough to even make it worth it. Need to find a place to store it though, can't keep an engine outside. Maybe I can just hide it in my closet. :D

Anyone know of any guides to a 400/455 swap? Also, which would be a better motor to build up? I heard they were the same motors, but I don't plan on doing any machine work for a LONG time, so I guess I should go with the 455.

All pontiac blocks from 326-455 are the same the just changed the bore and stroke, the 455 has a long storke which makes it very torquey but the obviousy choise is a 455 if you can find one but both make great power with a good set of heads 6X's and 4x's are not good heads the flow well but have huge combustion chambers.

As for installing there direct fitment if the block is a 1970 and up a 1969 block and earlier will need special motor mounts because the block is drilled in different spots for them.

So it is just as simple as disconnecting the hoses and unbolting the motor?

Took me a full day to change my water pump and still can't change two spark plugs..

Sounds to easy..:ripped:

Do what it took you a full day to change a water pump? and change plugs on the 301?!

And yes pull that one out put the other in of course hook up exhaust, cooling lines, electrical connections, transmission...etc...

Nope, in the V6 Camaro.

Also, what will I do about exhaust? Isn't the turbo exhaust different than standard headers?