[Mike Klingerman]

I have a 1979 trans am with a 403 engine. I'm rebuilding the engine and have been hitting all kinds of dead ends. I want to get the most out of the big engine that i can. the problem I've been facing is I wanted to get the elderbroch kit with the intake the heads, cam, ect. They don't make heads for this engine. The intake manifold is almost out of the qeustion because of the hight factor with the shaker hood. I can't find one that will work with this application. I don't understand why they put an olds 403 in a trans am exept the fact that it has "T" tops. but why didn't they stick with a 400. everybody makes high performance parts for 400's and everyother engine except 403's. Whats the deal? How can I keep this engine and get the most out of it. The book says this engine set up produces like 185HP less than 200!!!!! There are 4cyclinder engines producing more than what I have and I have a V8. That pisses me off.
Mike

[71 chevy c-10]

Had a 75 cutlass that I rebuilt the 350 Olds motor. I learned that there is some interchangeability between the 330, 350, and 455 motors. (heads etc...) I'm betting that some parts for those motors will work on your 403. Pistons maybe a little harder to get, but I'm uncertain of the bore size of the 403.
Hope this helps, Good Luck, Olds motors make alot of torque and I had alot of fun doing mine.
Robb

[Halloweenking]

Mike, you can get an aftermarket intake on there with the shaker scoop, you just have to modify the airbox a little. The 403 was subbed because it was easier to only clear one size motor for Caifornia high altitude and low emissions. The 400 was an option but only with the 4spd trannies. The "CAFE" (coporate avereage fuel econ.) ruling was in effect and GM couldn't keep with the big HP large V-8's anymore. The 403 actually has more torque than the 400, but less HP and they thought mating torque with the auto trans and keeping the big HP motors(handful left) with the 4spd would be best.

HK

[slider]

[ December 14, 2002: Message edited by: slider ]</p>

[slider]

Not only what HK said, but the architecture of the 403 is exactly the same as the fabled 302 SBC. There's a lot of reasons to work with this engine. Never forget that in the year of your car the standard Corvette was right in your horsepower range at 195. The $600 option L82 only made 225 and they were top of the U.S.

Can you say "Smog"? Can you say horsepower figures scare insurance companies and kill sales?

Can you say GM was right in the throes of "corporate" everything. You may not know, but GM sold a lot of '77 Oldsmobiles with Chevrolet 350 engines. When the buyers found out the 'sh&t hit the fan'. No one wanted a 'cheap' car engine in their upmarket car. Besides Olds had a well deserved rep for building terrific powertrains and new car buyers expected the real deal. Cost the company millions to bail on that one.