GRAND PRIX Introduction

[1980 GP SJ W72]

Hi there fellow Gbodies...my name is Derek...I live near Barrie Ontario, Canada. I have a 1980 GP SJ W72 number matching motor with 114 000 km...car has all the options that were available at the time. I wish to basically restore it but with a twist...I want to convert 301 to fuel injection and hopefully add twin turbos or supercharger...would like some input on the idea and if it can be done...here are a few pics as it stands today lol...Cheers!

 

[clean8485]

Welcome Derek, from over near Lindsay Ontario. Lots of good folks here Nice car you have there, and well worth restoring. Does it have the factory wire wheels on it? As for more power, its up to you what you do, but most people agree that the 301 was not Pontiac's best effort. You would probably be better off to look around for a Pontiac 350 or 400 for the car. Better power to begin with, drops right in where the 301 sits, and you might not need to look at forced induction. Install the fuel injection, add an overdrive transmission, and some deeper rear gears, and you would have a nice cruiser.

 

[1980 GP SJ W72]

Welcome Derek, from over near Lindsay Ontario. Lots of good folks here Nice car you have there, and well worth restoring. Does it have the factory wire wheels on it? As for more power, its up to you what you do, but most people agree that the 301 was not Pontiac's best effort. You would probably be better off to look around for a Pontiac 350 or 400 for the car. Better power to begin with, drops right in where the 301 sits, and you might not need to look at forced induction. Install the fuel injection, add an overdrive transmission, and some deeper rear gears, and you would have a nice cruiser.

Hey neighbor, that was my original thought as I have been tossing many ideas around in my head...was going to go with a 455 pontiac if this crazy plan didn't work...

 

[79 GP 4 speed]

I would not do a supercharger or turbos to the 301 as the motor will not stay together. There are no performance parts available for the 301.

 

[1980 GP SJ W72]

Hi thanks I didn't think it would but wanted to spruce up a number matching car and wandering if anyone fixed one up...looks like I'm leaning more towards a 400 or 455 Pontiac...just might have to reinforce frame because it has t roofs...original is probably what I should do but to boring lol...

 

[ck80]

Hi thanks I didn't think it would but wanted to spruce up a number matching car and wandering if anyone fixed one up...looks like I'm leaning more towards a 400 or 455 Pontiac...just might have to reinforce frame because it has t roofs...original is probably what I should do but to boring lol...

Pontiac experimented with a 2nd generation turbo trans am using the 301 engine as it's base. If you're bored you can read up on how that did... or didn't, work out for those who bought the cars.

The 301 is what it was, a casualty of the gas crunch. Probably more maligned than it deserves, but it's hard to hold 40 year old technology to the same standard as something brand new. Each has its benefits and pitfalls