Engine Question

[MrPbody]

I've been reading the responses. The comments about using a big block Chevy are all good except... You put a big block in there and handling goes out the window. They weigh far too much. Great power, tuff stuff.
Buiding the Pontiac is the best option to keep your Firebird driving and handling like Pontiac intended. There's no need to reinvent the wheel. The Pontiac is second only to the BBC for power and durability. The weight is 200 lbs. less. It takes a monster small block to run with a mild 400. The 455 is more popular these days. You can use a 400 block and an Eagle stroker kit to get to 461 CID. This engine will preform just like a 455, but be a bit tougher due to the smaller bearing sizes and better connecting rods.
There's a tremendous amount of myth and superstition surrounding this hobby. Pontiac engines are as good or better than any other for a street-driven car. They make more low-end torque and usable horsepower at street speeds than even the big Chevy. I suggest you visit some of the Pontiac-specific websites to learn from the discussions. Boyleworks.com and Clasiscalpontiac.com are among the better ones. These people are devoted to preserving the class of the Pontiac and still be competitive in any racing classes. One BIG myth is that big block Chevys are cheaper to build than Pontiacs. Not so. Only the small block has more interchangeability than the Pontiac, and is also the only one built in higher volume during the muscle car era. There is no shortage of high quality performance parts. Afterall, GTO did NOT get a reputation for losing...

[z06transam]

id say do the 6.6 stay with the pontiac engine or just rebuild the one you got now its not hard to get it fast and it will be cheaper.

[jaggs79transam]

Originally Posted by eork21

I have a 1979 Pontiac Transam completely Stock, with the oroginal 403. It is completely stock. When i get the money im gonna "sup" it up. Should i keep the 403 Pontiac engine, or get a 454 Chevy, Maybe a 454 Pontiac if its made or a 350. Which would be a better engine for the quarter? because i want this car to be fast.

Be careful building the 403 5000 rpm limit with windowed mains.
Very easy to blow unless you strengthen the main caps.

I personally went with a 455 olds Very tight fit modified alot of stuff.

IT's a monster!!!!!!!

Jaggs

[FormulaLT1]

Welcome to the forum Jaggs but I put up a important please read before posting message for a reason. Please read it if your new to our forum and I think you will find why I am locking this thread but feel free to post in any of the up to date threads.

John