Topic: Which would be the best engine?

[dabatman99]

If you had a Pontiac 400 in your Trans am, what would be the next easiest engine to install?  Olds 403? Chevy? Buick?  I was told that as far as performance and cost, chevy would be the best choice.  But then comes the questions about the shaker hood, exhaust manifold, motor mounts...etc...  Just would like to hear some people's opinions and why!

[kjkjkcjkcj]

Well i guess my question is why would you want to put a different motor in it. the 403 will require new motor mounts as for the chevy prob some custom work, why would't you consider another 400 block or possibly a pontiac 455. less hassel. and keeps it original.

[dabatman99]

Well finding good pontiacs are quite rare around here.  Years ago, alot of these vehicles went to the scrapyards or got crushed.  I was just curious what would be the next best replacement engine to get and why someone would choose it.   Thanks for your help!

[rkellerjr]

Where is "rare around here?"

[kjkjkcjkcj]

Yeah check the parts for sale area.  someone will have a good 400 block that way you can keep her original.  Or perhaps a 455. mmmmmmmmmmm delicious 455 ahhhhhhhhh

[Mr. P-Body]

   "If you had a 400 Pontiac in your Trans AM..." why would you consider ANYTHING else? Hard to argue with a 400 Pontiac. GTO did NOT earn a reputation for losing, and the VAST majority had 400 in them.  Not much difference between the GTO engine and yours. Nothing that can't be changed with a few nuts and bolts...

   Who ever told you it's much cheaper to build a Chevy hasn't done it for a while, or their sights are set a bit low as far as power is concerned. 

   You already have the better engine. Build IT! And if you need more cubes to keep up (on the bench) with your Chevy buddies, stroke it to 461. Add Edelbrock heads and a Comp roller, and go out and run low 11s on them (93 octane, to boot!)! Can't make a 4,000 lb. Camaro do that without power adders or a 502-plus engine...

IMO

Jim

[kjkjkcjkcj]

THREE CHEERS FOR THE 400.  HIP HIP HORRAY

[dabatman99]

Where is "rare around here?"

Maine/New Brunswick border...  I just gotta look in people's back yard and see what they got!

[Joker (§ir£Ğragon)]

Where is "rare around here?"

Maine/New Brunswick border...  I just gotta look in people's back yard and see what they got!

LoL  I hear that. Do you ever get down to the Mass. area? Lots of them down that way.

[kjkjkcjkcj]

I know a guy who has a 400 block in NH if you would like i can call him and see what he wants for it i think i remmeber him saying like 300. but if you want more info on it i can give him a call. what is wrong with your motor if you dont mind me asking.

[dabatman99]

Motor has a knock in what seems the lower end.  I have to take it out of the car to check the crank and rod bearings.  Someone told me it might be a valve sticking and hitting the piston.  I'm just preparing myself for the worse and trying to come up with a backup plan.

[dabatman99]

Where is "rare around here?"

Maine/New Brunswick border...  I just gotta look in people's back yard and see what they got!

LoL  I hear that. Do you ever get down to the Mass. area? Lots of them down that way.

I wonder if they have a free advertiser or something online besides craig's list.  In maine alot of people use Unclehenrys to find all kinds of stuff.

[kjkjkcjkcj]

well pm me if you need a 400 block because i can get you one.  i wanna say its a mid 70s when i asked him.  but im sure he still has it. he wasn't in desprate need of selling it. 

[rkellerjr]

Motor has a knock in what seems the lower end.  I have to take it out of the car to check the crank and rod bearings.  Someone told me it might be a valve sticking and hitting the piston.  I'm just preparing myself for the worse and trying to come up with a backup plan.

As Mr. Pbody says, if your going to pull that motor have THAT motor rebuilt.  It fits perfectly in the car and it can run with the big boys.

[brian c]

Another vote for sticking with the 400. Worst case, the easiest swap would be a Pontiac 455. You can use all your accessory brackets, accessories, motor mounts, and tranny (beef it up though if you're putting serious power to it). Not to mention your air cleaner and shaker can be reused as long as you stick with the factory intake or use an Edelbrock Performer (NOT the RPM) intake.

What I did was pull my numbers matching block, put it in the basement for safe keeping, and dropped a Pontiac 455 bored 60 over in between the fenders. I can flog the 455 if I want and should it break, I can still put the original numbers matching engine back in. It's only numbers matching once in its life.