Welcome aboard! Looks like a nice original wagon. I agree with the rest of the guys..keep it all Pontiac. I think a 400 would be a nice mill for it torque wise. Chevy engine swaps are like flies on sh*t.
350 CHEVY SWAP FOR '80 Le Mans wagon question?
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Shotgun is actually the Pontiac Guru here IMO, their may be others but I know he knows his sh%t! He can tell you where to get headers designed for the Pontiac in a G-body. I've heard of guys making 3 tube headers work or some from a mid 60's A body or something, but they all required a bit of re-work to make them work. I modified some Hedmann ones to fit mine. Ended up redoing all 8 tubes eventually have probably 25-30 hours reworking them. They will probably rust out quick, who knows. When they do I'm going to the 70 GTO RAM Air III Manifolds cast in 2.5 inch diameter. Performance years is suppose to be coming out with them and someone else already has them out.
Thanks safari 😳 .
Anyway, if it is a parts hauler/driver just run logs or RamAir manifolds with mandrel downpipes and a good daul exhaust system. PY makes everything you need.
I saw the prototype logs and even had some imput on them.I can take a look at them tomorrow when I'm there.
Another option is a single 3" system, just converted my wagon over to this. Ruuning 3" from the cat back to a huge Dynomax muffler. Runs and sounds good and lost like 50# as a bonus.
There will be a small advantage for the 350 when it comes to MPG. If you put in a mild cam and keep the rpm low,keeping it in the torque band, you should get ok mpg.
Use a stock manifold, performer or P4b. The last 2 are Edelbrocks and people give away the P4B version, it was designed for low rpm/mpg. Use a Qjet and you will have a fun cruiser that pulls strong to 4500/5000 max.
If you can keep your foot out of the Qjet you will get better MPG then any Holley.
Anyway, if it is a parts hauler/driver just run logs or RamAir manifolds with mandrel downpipes and a good daul exhaust system. PY makes everything you need.
I saw the prototype logs and even had some imput on them.I can take a look at them tomorrow when I'm there.
Another option is a single 3" system, just converted my wagon over to this. Ruuning 3" from the cat back to a huge Dynomax muffler. Runs and sounds good and lost like 50# as a bonus.
There will be a small advantage for the 350 when it comes to MPG. If you put in a mild cam and keep the rpm low,keeping it in the torque band, you should get ok mpg.
Use a stock manifold, performer or P4b. The last 2 are Edelbrocks and people give away the P4B version, it was designed for low rpm/mpg. Use a Qjet and you will have a fun cruiser that pulls strong to 4500/5000 max.
If you can keep your foot out of the Qjet you will get better MPG then any Holley.
Hey guys!
I decided to be productive today and tackled the Le mans safari. Remember, the last time the Le mans was driven had been 1997. First thing I did was install a new battery, topped off the radiator, put a few gallons of fresh super unleaded and checked all the fluids. Not to expect anything though just to possible turn over, she fired up on the first crank!!!. First the 301 rattled due to oil pressure not built up yet though after a few moments of black smoke she cleared up and purred like a kitten. The only thing bad though the trans fluid was low and black and slipped. Would a fluid change help it? Or do I have to install a new one,possibly a 700r4?By how well the 301 runs I just might hold off on the GP 400 swap and get rid of the '71 GP as a whole.
I decided to be productive today and tackled the Le mans safari. Remember, the last time the Le mans was driven had been 1997. First thing I did was install a new battery, topped off the radiator, put a few gallons of fresh super unleaded and checked all the fluids. Not to expect anything though just to possible turn over, she fired up on the first crank!!!. First the 301 rattled due to oil pressure not built up yet though after a few moments of black smoke she cleared up and purred like a kitten. The only thing bad though the trans fluid was low and black and slipped. Would a fluid change help it? Or do I have to install a new one,possibly a 700r4?By how well the 301 runs I just might hold off on the GP 400 swap and get rid of the '71 GP as a whole.
Servicing the trans is a good idea to see if you can squeeze a few more miles out of it.
If you plan to go with a better overdrive trans, I'd get a 200-4R instead of the 700-R4.
200-4R's were available as factory equipment in G-bodies, and don't really require any modification to use other than a new crossmember and a couple wires. The universal bellhousing will also bolt right up to your Pontiac 301.
A 700-R4 would require a different crossmember as well, but would also need the driveshaft shortened, and a bellhousing adapter to fit your BOP motor.
If you plan to go with a better overdrive trans, I'd get a 200-4R instead of the 700-R4.
200-4R's were available as factory equipment in G-bodies, and don't really require any modification to use other than a new crossmember and a couple wires. The universal bellhousing will also bolt right up to your Pontiac 301.
A 700-R4 would require a different crossmember as well, but would also need the driveshaft shortened, and a bellhousing adapter to fit your BOP motor.
Hey guys,
I changed the dark transmission fluid with a new filter kit and beleive it or not the Le mans wagon shifts great...for now. I drove it on a maiden voyage 40 miles back and forth and it performed flawlessly. The 301 ran smooth and quiet and felt it had more power than my 305 in my '79 Malibu wagon I had years ago. Just another question, did the Pontiac 301 use a nylon timing gear or steel? I wondering if I should change it out for PM svc. I had 2 go out on me before on my '70 Impala & Caprice,thanks.
PS. I know this is not a G-body car
though I thought I would post them
the blue '70 Impala I owned since
I was a teenager(now I'm 38,yikes!!!) and has mild original 350
with soon to be muncie 4-speed.
I changed the dark transmission fluid with a new filter kit and beleive it or not the Le mans wagon shifts great...for now. I drove it on a maiden voyage 40 miles back and forth and it performed flawlessly. The 301 ran smooth and quiet and felt it had more power than my 305 in my '79 Malibu wagon I had years ago. Just another question, did the Pontiac 301 use a nylon timing gear or steel? I wondering if I should change it out for PM svc. I had 2 go out on me before on my '70 Impala & Caprice,thanks.
PS. I know this is not a G-body car
though I thought I would post them
the blue '70 Impala I owned since
I was a teenager(now I'm 38,yikes!!!) and has mild original 350
with soon to be muncie 4-speed.
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The chain and spockets are about 1/2 as wide as a traditional Pontiac but atleast they are metal, so you are fine. Pontiac learned it's lesson with the nylon deal in the early 70s. 
The 301 out torques the 305 but runs outta breath earlier.
I would also suggest you add a bottle of Lucas for transmissions. I crutched a metric 200 for 3 years using Lucas and Type F (ford) fluid.
The 301 out torques the 305 but runs outta breath earlier.
I would also suggest you add a bottle of Lucas for transmissions. I crutched a metric 200 for 3 years using Lucas and Type F (ford) fluid.
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