[kevin3451]

i have a trans am with a 400 in it i think but i want to re build it and i need the car to run so i was going to put the motor out of my truck in it its a 86 chevy with a 350 will they swap how hard is it

[DoubleVision]

You mean a 400 pontiac engine or a 400 Olds, 400 Chevy? A motor mount swap is in order if it`s other than a chevy engine, which is a breeze, pick up mounts for a Camaro of the same year. You`ll need another transmission, as if the engine is other than a chevy it won`t share the same bolt pattern, a TH350 short tail will bolt right in. The wiring and sensors are all a breeze also, if you had a donor camaro of around the same years it would make the swap easier, but as is the swap is simple enough. Find motor mount ears (the ones that bolt to the block) of the short variety, there were the long and the short, the long ones will make the engine sit too high in the front, the low ones make it sit just right. You can tell the difference just by measuring the distance the bolt hole is to the back of the plate. Just pick up sensors for a 80 camaro with a 350 for your gauges to work correctly. You may have to do some wire rerouting but this is a breeze also.

[kevin3451]

will this take a long time or can it be done in a weekend,where can i get the short motor mounts

[ernkazern]

The Pontiac and Chevy engines use the same lines of transmissions. You can swap them back and forth all day with no problem. In an 80 car you'll have either a 350 or 400 turbo trans if it's an automatic. I'm not sure if they offered the 700R4 in 1980, but even so, it should fit the Chevy block.

[fiscus]

Originally Posted by ernkazern

The Pontiac and Chevy engines use the same lines of transmissions. You can swap them back and forth all day with no problem.

This not exatly true, the bellhousing pattern is different, although there are some transmissions out there that will bolt up to both motors.

A motor swap can get pretty involved, especially when things go wrong or little things come up. They can often take much more than a weekend. Do you really need to swap the motor? why?

[DeputyDawg134]

Doublevision and Fiscus are right, the pontiac tranny had the corporate bellhousing, and the chevy uses the chevy bolt pattern. I have a '79 Trans Am with a sbc in it. Swap isn't hard, but make sure you have everything you need when you get started or the small stuff will make it take forever.

[Chevrolet4x4s]

you can get a chevy engine to bop trans adapter from speedway motors for about 40 bucks......why are you using the truck as a patrs vehicle
Shane

[ernkazern]

I'll have to call my local tranny shop about that. I have an 85 Chevy SBC with a 700R4 that I was told came from an 88 Trans Am and it bolted right up to the block.

[ernkazern]

Find someone that knows about transmissions to look at your trans. Many of the 350, 400, etc. trans have a "dual pattern" bolt holes and will fit any GM V8. You may be able to bolt your SBC directly to the trans you have now. If you Google it you may be able to find a picture that's clear enough so you can for yourself.

[kevin3451]

will this take a long time or can it be done in a weekend,where can i get the short motor mounts

[ernkazern]

It's very doable in a weekend depending on your skill level and what you have for tools.

[ernkazern]

You never did say what trans you have in your car. The 400's aren't dual pattern, but most 350's after the mid to late 70's are.

[fiscus]

If you have to ask, I bet you it will take more than a weekend, usually it does unless you're a pro. I would set your self up so you can take your time doing the job.

And an '88 trans am should have a chevy 305 or 350 in it.

[kevin3451]

im a chevy guy i play with camaros nd bel airs this is my first trans am.... so i can get the short motor mounts out of a camaro and put them it th trans am

[richard stewart 3rd]

Hi Kevin,
The 80 model TA did not have the 400 engine
option, v8s=265,301NA,301Turbo, or a 305 Chevy.,
the trans., offered for the 80 model, is the Th.350
Take care,
rich