1980 Trans Am Engine Swap

[ohhlos]

Ay quick question. I have a 1980 Trans Am that I took a 301 turbo out.. we’ll I also had a nice BBC 454 engine in my garage.. I wanted to know if you recommend engine swapping it and if it would work.. I looked online and most of the people said that just changing the engine mounts would work.. any recommendations or people you can recommend me that have done it? Thank you.

[Frosty]

It will work but you will need to use upper and lower motor mounts from an early 2nd gen Camaro (396/402 car). Also, the transmission will need to be changed since the 301 engine has the BOP (Buick-Olds-Pontiac) bolt pattern and you are switching to a Chevrolet engine and bolt pattern.  Depending on the transmission you use, you may have to move the transmission cross member back or get a new one. Depending on the overall length of the engine and the transmission, you may have to shorten your driveshaft too.

Next consider upgrading your stock front suspension to a heavier duty front set of springs and shocks for the added weight of the BBC. Also consider upgrading your brakes. If you are adding a lot of giddy up go, you need to add whoo. Lastly, you are going to add a set of sub-frame connectors to help keep the uni-body from twisting, aren't you?

Edited May 1, 2018 by Frosty

[JUSTA6]

Good points Frosty, BUT..... Everything on the Chevy is backwards from Pontiac.  Starter on the wrong side, (usually battery too) fuel , plumbing on the wrong side, same with electrical.   Justa sayin, this was all redone to get rid of the Chevy in my GTO and put the Pontiac heart back in.

[ohhlos]

Thanks Frosty for the imput ! And JUSTA6 you’re right... the 454 is flipped compared to the 301. I noticed when I saw the fuel pump on the left side on the BB and on the right on the 301. 

Frosty; I have a 350 trans that goes with the engine

[JUSTA6]

Not that it can't be done,  Justa pointin out some of the unnoticed part of the swap.   Would much rather see a 455 going in there, but looks like you have a good start already.  Your radiator won't work as well.   Good Luck.

Edited May 2, 2018 by JUSTA6

[notallthere]

10 hours ago, Frosty said:

 Also consider upgrading your brakes. If you are adding a lot of giddy up go, you need to add whoo.

PFFFT brakes are for quiters

[Last Indian]

18 minutes ago, notallthere said:

PFFFT brakes are for quiters

And dead people!

[ohhlos]

I understand I would much rather have a 455 in that car too JUSTA6, but as a 17-year-old working part time, I can't afford to put money into another engine. The 454 ran before it was pulled and I basically cleaned it up, painted it, and dressed it up. If I can contact you and you could give me pointers, that would be great.