Anyone swap their 326 for a lt1

[chris_Py]

Hi, new here, and am looking for some info on swaping a more modern ls1 into my 67 firebird, anyone have any experience with this,, what issues should I plan on encountering?
Thanks

[MrPbody]

Chris,

Putting the Chevy into your Firebird isn't all that complicated. The wiring is all different, as are the mounting points. The starter is on the other side (passenger's). The transmission won't bolt up to a Chevy engine, either. Manual or automatic? Exhaust too, is different. As for not being too complicated, by using all Camaro parts, it's just bolts. But of course, you'll need to find a Camaro "donor".

It isn't necessary to use a Chevy engine to make your Pontiac a sweet performer. See my reply to your query in the thread about 400 vs. 455. A well-done 400 Pontiac will STOMP a 350 Chevy...(:- The Pontiac has avantages in street applications over both SBC and BBC.

Jim

[chris_Py]

I thought I saw a few ls1 setups on ebay that they said were coming out of a firebird? Is this only a chev motor? Also, a few of them come with a tranny attached, usually a 4l60e? whats your thoughts on this. By the way, really the only thing Im new at with all this is Pontiac. I have allready restored a dodge swinger (yea,, I know,, a mopar) from ground up. I could talk 340's 440's, 904s, 727 and all that,, but I really have no idea what pontiac has to offer. Al I do know is that I love my 67 firebird (Arizona car, very solid body) and am looking forward to the project.

[MrPbody]

Chris,

LSx (NOT "LSX" as advertised in the aftermarket) is not really a Chevy engine. Chevy guys like to claim it because it's such a nice design. It shares NOTHING with the small block except the rod bearing and lifter (part numbers are the same, but used in other "corporate" offerings as well). In truth, LSx more resembles small block Ford than it does Chevy. I've seen one '68 Firebird with LS-7 in it (from a Z-06) along with the dash and seats of an '04 GTO. It was pretty cool. He was showing it off at the TriPower Nationals at Norwalk in August. He got his ass handed to him on the track, though. The Pontiac-powered cars were mostly 11 seconds or quicker. He went low 13s. No doubt, some suspension work and tires would have helped, but the superior torque output of the old Injun made it tough on him.

For a real efficient performer, if you transfer ALL of the electronics and drivetrain, LS-2 would be a very good engine in the 1st gen Firebird.

The GM offerings of the late '60s are, from a structural and construction point of view, far superior to the MOPAR you're familiar with (Move Over, People Are RACING!). Humor...(:- The uni-body construction of the Dodge is light and hollow. The F-body has a real "subframe". It is a more durable design, as is in evidence of the number of "survivors".
Look at the early Firebird and Camaro like like you would a 'Cuda. A small block Camaro is on a par with the 340 'Cuda. Light and peppy, a good and nimble performer. A Firebird 400 is more in line with a 440 in the 'Cuda. I know, a 440 is 10% bigger... But the low-end torque output of the Pontiac will make the car act more like the RB-powered 'Cuda. It CAN be a "handful". The Pontiac engine is a bit lighter than the big block Chevy, so a BBC Camaro won't handle quite as well. Also, it takes more than a 325 horse 396 to catch a Firebird 400. A 375 horse version is needed. Put a "Ram Air" 400 in there and it's a tough act to follow, even WITH rectangular port heads.

I'm a Pontiac "bigot" so I recommend the traditional Pontiac V8 in the car. You don't sacrifice performance, no matter what you may have heard. On that, understand that the Pontiac V8 was the ONLY powerplant in GTO until the re-incarnation. GTO did NOT earn a reputation for losing...(:-

Either way you go, the 1st gen Firebird is a beautiful car with a ton of potential. It's YOUR money. Do with it as you see fit!

Jim