Engine Swap, hotrod my 4th gen

[pyrokilla]

I have found a sweet 2 bolt 350 engine out of a 79 El Camino, I think this would be a sweet project to hotrod a fourth gen [img]smile.gif[/img] BTW this engine is fully rebuilt and is an awesome price from my buddy. Anybody tried anything like this?

[Slow-N-ugly]

Its do able, anything is. I don't like the idea of a 2 bolt main block being a hot rod motor but hey its your dime.

What prices are you looking at? Plus the extras for the conversion. When you say sweet, like chrome valve covers sweet or 383 stroker sweet?

Do you have the money to finish the project?

[pyrokilla]

Well its been rebuilt, its pleasing to the eye (yes all chromed up) I can buy it from him for $350 bucks canadian. Labor to get it in and working isn't much, as I have a mechanic buddy, who loves doing **** like this [img]smile.gif[/img]

[slacker69]

You would also need a new tranny Th350-TH400 probably a new driveshaft due to the differnt lenght between the motor and trany. a relocated tourqe arm. Also a new K member for the motor

[pyrokilla]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by slacker69:
You would also need a new tranny Th350-TH400 probably a new driveshaft due to the differnt lenght between the motor and trany. a relocated tourqe arm. Also a new K member for the motor<hr></blockquote>

Thanks for the info [img]smile.gif[/img] I'll keep the boards posted as to my progress (not gonna start till I sell my 3.4l engine) Should be fun! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[pvtschultz]

The engine mounts are the same for that 350 as they were the LT1s. You may or may not need a different tranny though...the 4L60E was used behind the LT1 and that has the same bellhouse pattern (check me on that) as the older 350s. If you use a carbureted setup, that'll take out a lot of the hassels, but then you'll have to make a custom gauge cluster. You'd be better off getting a non-electronic tranny to get around computer issues, plus it'll be stronger. You'll pry have hood clearance probs with a carb...get a scoop. You'll need to get a fuel pressure regulator to take it down to around 8-9 psi for a carb. Exhaust will be the same.

Don't be afraid of a 2 bolt block though. I built a 350 with 370 hp and I have yet to have a prob in 30,000 miles and that is with 6,500 RPM shifts. I'd stay below 5500 RPMs and under 400 hp and your engine will live happily. You could run into rear end reliabily issues though with over 350 or so horses. 4th gen V8s didn't see muck more that 230-250 hp, the early 4th gens only saw 165 for a few years with the 305s. If you have T-Tops though, you could run into chassis flex probs and popping them out, it would be a very good idea to install some frame stiffening if you like to mash the loud pedel.

That's about all that I can think of right now...I'd go for it, mine will get the same treatment when I'm done with school...or far after if I live in an emissions county here in Wisconsin...dreams...

[pyrokilla]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by pvtschultz:
The engine mounts are the same for that 350 as they were the LT1s. You may or may not need a different tranny though...the 4L60E was used behind the LT1 and that has the same bellhouse pattern (check me on that) as the older 350s. If you use a carbureted setup, that'll take out a lot of the hassels, but then you'll have to make a custom gauge cluster. You'd be better off getting a non-electronic tranny to get around computer issues, plus it'll be stronger. You'll pry have hood clearance probs with a carb...get a scoop. You'll need to get a fuel pressure regulator to take it down to around 8-9 psi for a carb. Exhaust will be the same.

Don't be afraid of a 2 bolt block though. I built a 350 with 370 hp and I have yet to have a prob in 30,000 miles and that is with 6,500 RPM shifts. I'd stay below 5500 RPMs and under 400 hp and your engine will live happily. You could run into rear end reliabily issues though with over 350 or so horses. 4th gen V8s didn't see muck more that 230-250 hp, the early 4th gens only saw 165 for a few years with the 305s. If you have T-Tops though, you could run into chassis flex probs and popping them out, it would be a very good idea to install some frame stiffening if you like to mash the loud pedel.

That's about all that I can think of right now...I'd go for it, mine will get the same treatment when I'm done with school...or far after if I live in an emissions county here in Wisconsin...dreams...<hr></blockquote>


Thanks for the info!

[WickEdSix9838]

hope the distributor will fit underneath the dash...and you'll probably have to cut a section out for the carb...

[slacker69]

do u have a website or email for these Abbott racing heads. I really need to get mine ported and polish

[pyrokilla]

Sweet thing about this is selling my current engine (3.4l v6) will fund this whole project ( I hope [img]smile.gif[/img] )

[pyrokilla]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by pvtschultz:
The engine mounts are the same for that 350 as they were the LT1s. You may or may not need a different tranny though...the 4L60E was used behind the LT1 and that has the same bellhouse pattern (check me on that) as the older 350s. If you use a carbureted setup, that'll take out a lot of the hassels, but then you'll have to make a custom gauge cluster. You'd be better off getting a non-electronic tranny to get around computer issues, plus it'll be stronger<hr></blockquote>

Can anyone confirm this info and the tranny? I have a 5 speed in my 3.4l right now...