30th droptop

iTrader: (-1)

Let's see . . . a 4th-gen interior, 4th-gen powertrain, throw away the brakes (one of the good things about the '79's, if you've got WS-6).

Why not just start with a 4th-gen car? You'll save weight in the process!

I love my 30th anniversary T/A, and I don't mean to upset any LS1 guys, but a car that heavy probably benefits more from the torque of the 400. And the extra weight and higher c/d of that car means you'll never quite match the highway fuel economy of a 4th-gen, even with an LS1.

Those are great looking cars, and I think the interior was actually cooler than on the 4th-gen cars. Since my '79 was a Special Edition, I had the gold-tinted turned aluminum on the cluster bezel. I got rid of that goofy 100 mph speedometer and swapped in a 160-mph speedo from an earlier model. That car had the coolest interior of any car I've ever owned. I can see restoring the original interior (almost all the parts are available, by the way), but I can't see how a 4th-gen interior would be an "upgrade."

kuhlryde

to each his own.

NateLS1

iTrader: (4)

Doesn't the 403 have bad oil problems while cornering? I dont remember where I heard that, but I did.

30th droptop

iTrader: (-1)

I don't know about the 403 (Olds) motor, but I had to add a baffled pan to my 400 (Pontiac) motor because I often uncovered the oil pick-up in hard cornering. It really wakes you up when you see "0" oil pressure at 4,000 rpm.

Nate Dog 11

yup. If I had the place to work on it & another ride, my bird would've had the 400/400 from my 76 Bonnie.

kuhlryde

I have decided against my previous plan. I traded my 4th gen seats for a set out of a 1996 Acura Integra. I have decided to try something new. I am replacing the stock spoiler with an aluminum double wing spoiler and I think I will try and adapt a Ford Racing 392ci GT-40 engine to a Ford Racing Tremec 5 speed in my car. I really like the looks of the 2nd gen Trans Ams but enjoy the Ford engines. I have a buddy with one that is going to sell to me cheap. Now I just have to figure out how to get it to fit.

kuhlryde

The GT-40 arrived yesterday!

Can't WAIT to pull the original and get the new one in.

Nate Dog 11

^^ You jsut want to go to f*rd & Poncho car sows, dontcha?

Figuring out how to get it to fit shouldn't be anymore difficult than getting a 95 3800 Series II to fit where a dead 2.8 used to be. It's the rewiring that's the bitch.

30th droptop

iTrader: (-1)

Hey Kuhlryde, I'm thinking about yanking the tired 5.0 in my Mustang and replacing it with a Briggs and Stratton Jr. Dragster motor. I've figured out the motor mounts, but the electrical system's a bitch. Got any ideas?

Nate Dog 11

^^^^ I have an extra K&N for that swap. mad tork, yo!!!!1111111111111!!

indyparts

iTrader: (28)

Go for the 454 - Cheaper parts!

Muffracing

I'd go with a 400 pontiac. 400s are easy to find and will fit better then a 454. I was looking for a 455 locally and could not find one. Check out Butler Performance and pick up a High Performance Pontiac.
Stay away from Ford and Briggs engines!

mr.black

I built a 400 pontiac fo my 78 T/A, I punched it .060, used some of speed pro's forged pistons, crane energizer camshaft, edelbrock intake, roller rockers, comp pushrods, 3 angle valve job,aluminum flex fan, sealed power valves 2.11 intake, 1.96 exhaust, and stuck a holley 850 mech. secondaries, no choke, and headers, I have yet to get on it or really drive it, but it sounds really strong, and has excellent throttle response. I am preparing to get a 3800 stall, and some 4:56 gears so I can hit up the local 1/8 mile track, but the 400 is a very common block and is easy to find parts for. But I ran into a problem with motor mounts, my 400 came ot of a 1968 car, and the bolt pattern on the block changed by 1978, so I had to modify the mounts, that is one problem you may run into, but it is easy to fix if you have access to a welder, and some scrap metal. Good luck with your build, can't wait to hear how it turns out!