thought i would start a new topic as to not hijack the other members thread.
I am starting the same swap on my 81 grand lemans with the 4.4 v8. finding any pontiac motor is very difficult so i want to use a sbc 350. i assumed the motor mounts, transmission, manifolds, rad and brackets would all bolt up. Are you absolutely sure about this, as i have to make some major changes, considering i already rebuilt the sbc 350. The only pontiac motors around seem to be 301's which are not too exciting, any guidance would be appreciated.
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Appollo
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Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby Appollo on Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:32 pm
i've just located an olds 403 engine, would this be a simplier swap in my 81 pontiac lemans?
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pencero
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Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby pencero on Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:20 pm
the 403 is much better for a street driven daily driver b/c it makes a boatload of low end torque but it's more expensive to rebuild at the shop unless you know how to do rebuild the engine yourself. You should bring someone who knows alot about engines before buying a 403 or you could buy a headache by mistake. I think to sum it up, its better to have an old 403 than an old 350, but of course a new 350 would always beat an old 403... it's really what all a person has to spend at the end of the day.
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olds307 and 403
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Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby olds307 and 403 on Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:24 pm
It will move the LeMans nicely. You will need Olds brackets and frame mounts.
88 Cutlass Supreme Classic, Mild Olds 350, 2004R, 3.42 open for now....94 chev Z71 4x4, TBI 76 350 Olds, 5A heads,A4,204/214 cam,Sanderson's and duals, rebuilt 4L60E,3.73 gov lock, 2010 Challenger SE, Stone White, leather, 18" wheels, 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab 4x4, 3.9 v6 and 3.92 no slip.
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Appollo
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Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby Appollo on Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:46 am
i can build the motor myself, aside from the machining etc.
the sbc 350 i built for this car is .30 over with flat top pistons, mild cam, 64cc heads, edelbrock performer intake
etc. which i would really like to hear run. Can someone confirm that the transmission, manifolds,engine mounts and brackets will not transfer from my original 265 v8. I imagined being a v8 car, that most of it would transfer. I was also told by the previous owner that the car has a turbo 350 transmission, but maybe it doesn't?
I am starting the same swap on my 81 grand lemans with the 4.4 v8. finding any pontiac motor is very difficult so i want to use a sbc 350. i assumed the motor mounts, transmission, manifolds, rad and brackets would all bolt up. Are you absolutely sure about this, as i have to make some major changes, considering i already rebuilt the sbc 350. The only pontiac motors around seem to be 301's which are not too exciting, any guidance would be appreciated.
Top
Appollo
n00b
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 2:00 pm
Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby Appollo on Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:32 pm
i've just located an olds 403 engine, would this be a simplier swap in my 81 pontiac lemans?
Top
pencero
Royal Smart Person
Posts: 875
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:52 pm
Location: Ind.
Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby pencero on Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:20 pm
the 403 is much better for a street driven daily driver b/c it makes a boatload of low end torque but it's more expensive to rebuild at the shop unless you know how to do rebuild the engine yourself. You should bring someone who knows alot about engines before buying a 403 or you could buy a headache by mistake. I think to sum it up, its better to have an old 403 than an old 350, but of course a new 350 would always beat an old 403... it's really what all a person has to spend at the end of the day.
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olds307 and 403
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Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby olds307 and 403 on Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:24 pm
It will move the LeMans nicely. You will need Olds brackets and frame mounts.
88 Cutlass Supreme Classic, Mild Olds 350, 2004R, 3.42 open for now....94 chev Z71 4x4, TBI 76 350 Olds, 5A heads,A4,204/214 cam,Sanderson's and duals, rebuilt 4L60E,3.73 gov lock, 2010 Challenger SE, Stone White, leather, 18" wheels, 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport Club Cab 4x4, 3.9 v6 and 3.92 no slip.
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Appollo
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Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 2:00 pm
Re: 1981 Buick Regal 4.3 V8 swap options
Postby Appollo on Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:46 am
i can build the motor myself, aside from the machining etc.
the sbc 350 i built for this car is .30 over with flat top pistons, mild cam, 64cc heads, edelbrock performer intake
etc. which i would really like to hear run. Can someone confirm that the transmission, manifolds,engine mounts and brackets will not transfer from my original 265 v8. I imagined being a v8 car, that most of it would transfer. I was also told by the previous owner that the car has a turbo 350 transmission, but maybe it doesn't?