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Engine swap and modification!

1K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  BOBCRMAN@aol.com 
#1 ·
I have a 1986 monte carlo ss with t-tops. My plans are to have a high performance street machine. But I'm stuck what to use for my power plant. I have a 350,327,and a 396 with dome pistons out of a chevy dump truck! And the 327 is out of a 1963 impala. I'm in the beginning stages of my project just planning before I begin. I have to admit I'm leaning towards the big block. I love cubic inches! If you have any comments are tech tips I would really apreciate it. Also should I stay with the o/d trans or get th 350/400. Would any one know the gear ratio of my rearend?
 
#3 ·
Originally posted by KULTULZ:
<strong>What type of engine is presently in the car and what type of engine control/fuel delivery is there?</strong><hr></blockquote>

It still has the original HO305 but someone disconnected the computer and it's electronics. And it uses a mechanical fuel pump but when I swap I'll use an eletric one.
 
#5 ·
go the small block that big block is probably a 366 if it came from a dump truck, does it have dual thermostats on the intake and a harmonic ballancer with pulley grooves cast in it? if yes then pull the main caps off remove the rods and crank, sell all of them on e-bay and scrap the rest, only thing a 366 is good for
 
#6 ·
Originally posted by Don Meyer:
<strong>The small blks would be better because your car is already front heavy. Either way you should change to 12" disc on the front from a full size Buick,Olds or Pontiac in the mid 80,s. www.globalwest.net
I usually change to a Ford 9" rear....Don

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: Don Meyer ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
 
#7 ·
Originally posted by BOBCRMAN@aol.com:
<strong>go the small block that big block is probably a 366 if it came from a dump truck, does it have dual thermostats on the intake and a harmonic ballancer with pulley grooves cast in it? if yes then pull the main caps off remove the rods and crank, sell all of them on e-bay and scrap the rest, only thing a 366 is good for</strong><hr></blockquote>

So what about the trans would you stay with o/d or go to a three speed. And how much stall would you recommend on the street! Not as a daily driver but I want it streetable
 
#9 ·
Everything I have read says maybe 9.5 or 10 to 1 is about the compression limit for street gas. But you can squeeze out a bit more with fuel injection. Maybe 11-1 with fuel injection. However fuel inject brings a whole new set of headaches into the build up. With a blower you proabbly would go a little lower.

Saw a nice 1963 nova at McDonalds this weekend. Had a blown big block. Let me tell you that it was really tight getting it in there. I think water dropped on the top doesn't hit the ground for a couple of weeks. Anyway he said he was running 8.5 to one compression with his motor. Of course he also said he was running pump gas and my friend who should know smelled AV Gas. I didn't have much of a sense of smell, but it sure didn't smell like basic pump gas. Sure was a sweet car though.
 
#10 ·
Build the 350. Parts are abundant. Hang onto the 327 as that is one hell of a motor. Run the numbers on the 396 to make sure it's a 396 then hang onto it. If it runs you can sell it for some good money or build it later. For a street machine either have the 350 bored and make a strong 355 or buy a stroker kit and make a 383 out of it. Either one wil be great for the street as you can only use so much of it anyhow.

Kevin
 
#11 ·
as for the trans it depends on your pocket book the 350 turbo is the easiest to work with. the 700r in stock form is a terrible failure when it comes to high performance, you will have to throw lots of money at it to make it last, but that overdriven high gear is soo nice on the highway. you pays yo money and you takes yo choice!
 
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