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  • VG30_S12

    Aug. 27, 2008 9:01 p.m. VG30_S12 New Reader

    ok, possible find for a toy/challenger... the victim? A 1984 Pontiac Firebird afaik, its got an all steel body, t-tops and came with a 4cyl 4speed(which is poo) the particular one im looking at the interior is probably done, but from what i could see, the body was in good shape(no serious rust)

    the big thing is that i know where i can pick up an older pontiac (grandam,grandprix i forget) that has a 400ci SBC and driveline that suposidly still runs

    i think i can get both cars for sub $400 should i do it? how hard to swap? anything else I would need to look at modding to get it in? what about the suspension/rear? if i got it, Id want a mean little street sleeper or something like that

  • cwh

    Aug. 28, 2008 6:30 a.m. cwh Dork

    Sounds like a decent plan to me. All factory/ junkyard parts, no fabrication to speak of. Shouldn't take very long to do. Pleanty of scrap metal to sell off after you're finished. Go for it!

  • integraguy

    Aug. 28, 2008 6:40 a.m. integraguy Reader

    I don't know about GM/Chevy...er, Pontiac? But most of the domestic manufacturers have a (bad?) habit of using "downsized" parts on their cars that came with several different engines. IOW, the 4 cylinder cars have (much) smaller brakes than the V8 equipped models have/had. Same for the front and rear suspensions and rear ends. But since all that stuff would need replacing on a 25 year old car anyway....

  • Tim Baxter

    Aug. 28, 2008 7:23 a.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor

    So keep the Grand whatever around in case you need to grab brake parts or something.

  • MadScientistMatt

    Aug. 28, 2008 9:38 a.m. MadScientistMatt HalfDork

    Do it!

    A quick part number check shows the Iron Duke and V8 Firebirds have the same brake rotors, and both used the 7.5" rear axle. The transmission is different, but swap it from the donor car and you should have no problem. And the suspension probably needs upgrades anyway.

  • Travis_K

    Aug. 28, 2008 10:26 a.m. Travis_K New Reader

    You will have to figure out how to mount the firebird touque arm to whatever tranny you swap it (it bolts to the tailshaft on a stock one). 400 small block chevys that arent blown up are pretty rare now too, although in stock form they are not too impressive.

  • VG30_S12

    Aug. 28, 2008 11:50 a.m. VG30_S12 New Reader

    hmm. i figure if i bail on the firebird, i could atleast get the money hes asking back, and if i get both i could scrap the rest after im done... the old pontiac body ought to bring back atleast everything that id spend by itself in scrap

    well, as far as the trans, Im not sure whats in that other Pontiac, but id guess a th350, which is what came in the v8 Camaro and Bird... well thats my guess anyway... id love to find an old power glide but fat chance on that...

    so if the 400sbc doesn't work/needs rebuild/carb rebuild, should I bother messing with it?

  • Travis_K

    Aug. 28, 2008 1:03 p.m. Travis_K New Reader

    Stock 350>stock 400. Non blown up 400s are worth selling though. IMo if its good use it, if it needs work sell it and buy a $150 junkyard 350. F-bodies have 2 extra bolt holes in the transmission talishaft to mount the torque arm, I think you can buy/make a bracket to do the same thing though.

 

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