Engine swap ?

[Lenie]

Have been contemplating an engine swap. Option #1 Keep Pontiac 400 w/aluminum heads and cam change w/ richmond 5 speed, Option #2 LS7 trans (?) or Option #3 LS2 w/head and cam change Trans (?). Currently have Wayne Due subframe w/C4 front suspension. Currently sits at 4 3/4" off the ground w/o engine and trans. at my ride height. What would you do w/o budget getting way out of controll (hard to say when talking about LS7). And w/your idea, ballpark figure with someone else doing it cost. Would these packages other than the 400 even work? Keep in mind, your not dealing w/a mechanic here. Gas was one of my instigators and I plan on keeping the car forever but if I were to sell it, how would each effect sale price? Hope you have alittle fun with this one.

[Lenie]

Didn't see the above thread, thanks reboot. Excellent replies.

[andrewmp6]

How far can you stroke that Pontiac 400?Im not a fan of the series rather have a after market small block.

[youthpastor]

hey Lenie- we are putting a 6.0 motor out of a Suburban in the camaro with LS6 intake Stainless Works headers etc. these motors make a ton of power for the money- check out the L92 head swap- over 500 streetable horsepower!!

If you are looking for a shop to do the install or any other mechanical work let me know-Chris

[Lenie]

Thanks for the replies, I don't really want to open a can of worms, I just really liked the sound of Scotts LS installed in his 69 and started to think about gas mileage since I plan on driving this all over the country. The 400 I have now has already been worked by Marten Motorsports out of Michigan w/0 hours on it. It dyno'd at 419 hp with the stock heads on it. I was wanting to add alittle more HP to it with aluminum heads and a different cam but with alot of outside urging and reading the board my mind started to drift. I'll probably do the 400 deal unless someone can give me good reason to drop the 400 and thats what I was kinda looking for here. Like I said, I'm not a mechanic, but I'd like to build a quality car w/o regrets. Chris, I'll be in touch soon. I'd like to see your project, looks good so far. Saturday I'm going to the Seattle Rod show, hope to see some of you there. To all, I'm open minded, help me make a good decision.

[andrewmp6]

A ls1 can be better on gas depends on your driving style and if you have a tranny with a over drive gear.

[Lenie]

Thanks for all the replies. I've finally elected to keep the car pontiac powered. I'm currently stroking the 68 400 block to a 461, installing a new cam, aluminum heads and the accessories to make it work. Thanks again for all the input.

[COYBILT]

LS7= nothing in comparison to pontiac torque.
I have a LQ9 with a cam,longtubes,etc in my 2000 gmc 2500 and I would rather have a 455 in the damn thing. The gen 3/4 small blocks are good motors they just dont have the down low torque a pontiac has. It all depends on what you are looking for. You want modern easy to get cheap performance parts Gen3/4 and if you want ground pounding low end mid range power with slightly pricier parts, pick pontiac. Lenie Please give me a call again

[72blackbird]

Another vote for pure PONTIAC power here- nothing wrong with the latest-and-greatest Chevy V-8 but as mentioned before it will never out torque a Poncho. A stroker 400/462 with good aluminum heads, roller cam, enough induction and decent exhaust will make 525+ hp/ 600+ ft-lbs. easy.

Geno