Folks,

As it states, I'm new to classic tech, or better yet, I PLAN on being new to Classic Tech. Right now, I own a 94 Z28. I'm in love with, and plan on buying in rather near future a 1979 Trans Am w/ 455 motor.

Here's where I need the help. I do not want to buy a fully restored, ready to roll car. I want this to be my first restoration project. The extent of which, I'm not yet sure...I'm leaning on minor restoration as opposed to a complete restore.

I'd like to buy a car that needs little if any body work, mainly interior work, motor work, and minor body touch ups. I'm getting more and more acquainted with the LT1, but I know that a 455 is going to be a different ball game.

I'm curious as to what I need to look for when searching for my car. I don't know a lot about this motor, so I'd like some tips on what known problems or abuse issues may stand out. Also...which tranny should I go with....reliability wise which is better the auto or manual? This was a major factor in choosing my LT1, as I knew the BW T56 was a strong tranny.

This is something that's going to take time, so I'm needing to get as much info as you can provide for me. So, if any of you can help me become a little more acquainted with this motor/trans so that I can be somewhat educated when I start shopping for my car, that'd be SUPER!

Lay it on me!

Thanks in advance!

DJ

 

hey man, first oh all i would just like to say welcome

im not to sure about the engine u want, as im into getting my car ready for putting a 396 LT1 in

ok well for the car its self, more cars of its time u would be looking at redoing the interior anyways unless the car is fully restored or in mint the interior iwll always need work. as for the body u can always buy replacement patches and surf though the the wreckers for less damaged body panels... almost anything from the 77 to 81 panels will fit, u can also get parts of a camaro of the same year.

umm

oh ya make sure that when u look at the car take a really good look at the frame, if u don't want trouble down the road make sure that there is no rust on the frame!

thats all i can think of right now, but if something comes to mind ill make sure to tell ya



good luck

 

The 455 pontiac is one solid engine. Especially the bottom end. Be hard pressed to think of a tougher stock engine. Add some modern heads and you will make pretty raunchy power for a totally streetable engine. The pontiacs are a lot more $$$ to play with then the chevys though, be prepared for that. As for the rest of the car check it out for rust. Tranny..... as much as I like manual trannys I find they do break faster than a built automatic. Worth the fun though . There are a few poncho boards out there. Also wwwnastyz28.com is a 2nd gen camaro site but still plenty of good info that will relate to a poncho.
Good Luck.
CoryM

 

Congrats on thinking about a new 'bird. Since you are looking to put a 455 in it, I would go with an auto due to the torque of the Pontiac. I've heard, no personal experience though, that 455s like to eat stock transmissions, including autos. But, since you are going to be putting a 455 in there, I would also put a TH400.

Things to look out for. I've had problems with the rear frame, but I'm also up north where they salt the roads during winter. But, for common problems, I dunno. I guess that everything could be a problem since it is a 24 year old car

When you buy the TA, make sure that it came with a Pontiac motor originally since converting it to a 455 will be easier. Pontiac V8 are the same external dimensions (except 301) so it will be a direct bolt in. Better yet, buy one already done. These motors do not like high revs (Trust me ). Also, try and buy a WS6 model because they came with a better suspinsion, 4-wheel disk brakes, and a better steering ratio.


If you are curious, here is a couple of companies that deal solely in Pontiac Parts:

http://performanceyears.com/newsite/index.html

and

http://www.amesperf.com/

I've had great dealings with both companies. But, you can at least see what is available and at what cost so you can get a ball park idea.

And for a good board - http://forums.performanceyears.com/6/ubb.x

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies so far.

Zig...I thought the 455 actually was an option for these cars, or am I just finding the cars that people have already converted? What was the factory motor (bsides the 301)...a 400? Now, is the 400 the 6.6 liter..I never took time to do the math, but just assumed that the 455 was the correct motor.

Regardless, yes I want the bragging rights of having a nice strong 455. SInce you suggested the TH400; I found this place (how easy) www.th400.com and they sell several powerful tranny types at what seem to be good prices. They have a TH400 they build called "The Monster". Says it can handle 950 HP...and only $795 + $100 core.

And, yes, I'm adiment about having the WS6 trim, that's for sure.

Now, back to the 455...if I don't find the car I want with a 455 already installed...what cars ACTUALLY have a 455 in them? I've seen them in Olds, Buicks, Birds, etc.

Thanks again....

DJ

 

For a Trans Am, the engines were the Pontiac 301, 400 and the Olds 403. They quit putting the 455 in them in 1976. For the Pontiac 455, you can look in most of the early to mid 70s big cars like the Catalinas and Bonnevilles. Oh, and the 400 is the 6.6, but they also called the 403 a 6.6. Don't forget that both Olds and Buick also made 455s.

 

Good deal.

Well, I'm admiment about the 1979 WS6 body. So, I'll search for early 70s Ponts for the motor. Is there any reason that most of the conversions I've seen are motors out of a 73 model car?

DJ

 

Not really sure why on the '73 blocks. I know that some blocks are better than others, but I don't know which.

I did a search over on PY and here is a link that I found that you might like

http://forums.performanceyears.com/6...911#6086014911

 

73-74 the SD455 was available. People either use those blocks or just say they do (like how 90% of sbc are from corvettes ) I *think* that all the SD blocks were high nickel block but I could be wrong. MMMM super duty 455. Thats my dream car.
CoryM

 

I always liked those cars, too. When I got my car, I had to look quite a bit to find it. I wanted a 4speed specifically and they were hard to find. Ended up finding mine in South Carolina.

A couple more things that I think apply to those cars as far as what they came with. If I remember correctly, on a 79, the only TA's or Formulas with an Pontiac 400 were 4 speed cars. I think that most 79's were Olds 403's with an th350 automatic. I think that the motor mounts may be different if it's an Old motor. From the factory, the gears in a 4 speed were like 3.23's and in an automatic they had 2.56's or 2.73's. I think that most all of them had a decent limited slip differential. I had a 80 model with a non-turbo 301 and even it had limited slip.

 

Let me help if I can.

1979 Trans ams only came with the 301, 400 or 403 as stated
in a previous post. Only the 301 and 400 were available with
4-speeds, the 400 required a 4-speed. Both the 301 and 400
are Pontiac engines and use the same motor mounts. Any 1970
or later Pontiac V-8 will drop in place of the 301 or 400. The earlier engines can be used, but will require an adapter plate for
the motor mounts to be installed in a second gen Firebird. Starting in 1971, all Pontiac V-8s had lowered compression ratios.
If you buy a 1979 with the Olds 403 in it, you will need different
motor mounts to install a Pontiac V-8. The air cleaner base that
comes with the Olds engine is also a different height and will not
work with the shaker assembly on a Pontiac engine even though
both had Q-jets. There will be clearance problems with the hood
when it is closed. Both the 400 and 455 can be built to perform
well, even with low compression. Chose whatever you like best.

As far as the body is concerned, checking for rust in the rear frame
rails is important. Check the corners of the dash where the windshield meets the cowl, this is another typical rust area. Also
check the floor pans if it is a t-top car. Good luck and have fun!