Giving yourself a challenge, eh?
The CalTrac leafs/bars really don't hurt daily cornering - not an autocross set up - but certainly still a nice driving set up.

I've personally not had good luck with making a fast Q-jet - it can be done of course.
Rev is right about building the entire car to get the e.t. - but if you want corners and economy your tarting to push the reality.
Read of Hand, Butler, Bishop and others - McCarthy, Crocie - the old timers had plenty fast 400 birds.
Talk to Rev about the one he has.....

 

I doubt I'll ever autocross, just wanted to make sure it didn't interfered with daily driving.

As for economy, here will be my methodology:
With weight and traction considered, I will get the minimum amount of horsepower necessary to be 12.8. I will use the smallest venturis, plenum volume and runner cross-sectional area I can to reach that hp goal. Knowing a ballpark area of hp, I wouldn't want to beaf up the bottom end anymore than I would need to.

 

Fair enough.
Lose weight, get traction and use the lightest rotating assembly balanced to the hilt.
Pontiacs like small volume intake runners = port velocity at low rpm = torque.
You'd enjoy a 389 tri-power for it's center carb economy and 6 barrel grunt
You could cut a 421 crank to fit the 389 block and nobody would ever know
Then you could look for 11's
Did a motor like this to appear stock in a 66 Goat awhile back
Not a budget build anymore, but sure would be cool!

 

I like to put extra whims and stigma on my cars. I think it makes them go faster.

 

If budget was completely not an issue, I always wanted a 4x2bbl delloreto setup with 8 B/A velocity stacks peeking through the hood.

 

 

What are you using for your Tranny? If you want performance + fuel mileage nothing will do that for you like a T-56.

If you want to use an auto or a 4spd I understand but there is nothing quite like a 0.5:1 6th gear to make those gallons last.

 

that would be nice behind a Pontiac V8 as they are low rpm torque motors

I haven't seen a T-56 fitted to one yet bu I'm sure it can be done.

 

You read my mind... in the long run I would love to have a T56 in my car. I want to put a t56 in sooo bad. My understanding of trannies and compatability isn't so great. I know I'd need a BOP-T56 bellhousing like so: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294856873
Would I need a custom flywheel? I'd most likely have to fab the tranny tunnel. And fab or buy (I'd rather fab) a crossmember for the conversion. Then fabbing the hydraulic clutch linkage would be a bear right? Feel free to correct me as I have no idea what I am talking about lol.

Ballpark... how much would this cost. I'm pretty sure I currently have a 2sp powerglide: that has to go.

 

nice find on the bellhousing

oh, you're getting into some real dream work now! lol

If you ever get the trans, have cash for that bell, I'm sure a regular clutch will work but try fittinmng all that into a Pontiacs space - MAJOR fabrication.
Cost? no clue. Thousands by the time it bangs gears on the road.
Headers will hit, floor is too small in areas - driveshaft - clutch juice, pedals - all custom.
Look at Hot Rod, Car Craft etc - I'm sure a 67-69 Camaro guy has done it.

 

There have been loads of guys doing the LS1/T56 swap into 1st gen F-bodies. There is a guy who frequents this board who has done it, and I am probably going to be assisting another LS1/T56 transplant in the upcoming months.

So the info is out there, but the cost....

 

Keep in mind though - this guy wants the T-56 behind a Pontiac V8
I haven't seen that.
I'd do a TH400, Gear Vendors overdrive if it were mine

 

No, but that's just an adapter issue, or a bellhousing like the one he found. I believe it's ~$500 to mate a LSx and a Porsche G50, so how much more could it be to mate a Pontiac 400 to a T56?

The main thing is there are a lot of people who have put the T56 in a first gen, so he definately can find help if he needs it.

 

Yup - agreed
With all the first gen Camaros I'm sure the basic formula to swap is written in an article somewhere.
Only issue I see are the Pontiac headers fitting around that big bell - otherwise probably like a BB Chevy swap.

 

Eh, just have the exhaust exit out of the fenders

Who need mufflers anyway?