Whos running a big block

[70ptta]

I was first thinking of going with an ls1 but now i am leaning torwad my big block poncho but i dont know if it will defeat the whole pro touring idea with so much weight up front. What do you guys think will all the extra weight be that much of a difference. Or will I still have good handles. this is in a 70 trans am

[4MuscleMachines]

I really like the LS1 but still prefer a true big block if you will not drive it everyday since the LS1 is hard to beat for everyday driving/commuting. Try relocating the battery to remove frontend weight for starters. Big blocks when done properly not only provide enough performance but can also help the value of your car if you get one thats date correct. IMO, when the comes to sell (and it eventually will), more potential buyers will be attracted to a correct big block, especially in your Transam (455HO?, stroked 400?).

[70ptta]

well the thing is i have two trans ams a 70 and 73. i want one to have a big block and i started to think a ls1 would be good for a everyday driver. the 70 has a 400 and the 73 has a 455ho.

[4MuscleMachines]

Are they original motors? Real TA's?I would think the answers to your questions lie in if they are original.

[socalfandabodys]

Im running a bbc. it weighs the same as a small block because I added aluminum heads,manifold,hedders and some other aluminum parts. I drive the car everyday and it never gets over 180 degrees, runs high 12's and gets decent mileage thanks to a 2004r overdrive.

[70ptta]

both have og motors but need a rebuild both are real ta's and i am going to keep all parts so if i decide to change back i can. if i do go with the bb i am also going to get a trans with overdrive i heard you get way better gas mileage.

[4MuscleMachines]

I have two true Boss Mustangs, a 1970 302 & 1971 351. I did the pull out the og motor and put in another on the 71. For the 70, I rebuilt the 302 into a 480HP screamer. After doing both, I realized I should have rebuilt the og motor in the 71 and not drop in a non og motor. Keeps it simple, more original, and better resale. Performance wise, those two you have are stout motors so HP should be no problem, just use good well known parts (Butler Racing?) and the value should rise more than your investment in it. The best part is you can enjoy the PT car and its still original.

[yody]

if you plan on builidng a pontiac motor, you better learn something about them first!! No such thing as a big block pontiac. This is the most basic thing there is to know about pontiac motors, all of the blocks visually are identical except for a few freeze plugs etc.. the only thing that changes is the bore and stroke, so you basically want a large cubic inch pontiac. A big block would be a chevy/mopar/ford. Also a 455 pontiac will weigh exactly the same as a 326 pontiac. So if you go with a poncho the weight will be there no matter what. I have a 454 with aluminum head/wpump/intake, its heavy but seems to be a tad lighter than the all iron pontiac 400. An LS1 would be an excellent motor, but they are getting to be a little played out imo

[4MuscleMachines]

Yes, Yody is right, I assumed we all knew that, I was referring to GM big blocks. People still refer to Ponchos as big blocks just because of the cubic inches.

[70ptta]

i had a pontiac 350 and it seemed to be a lot smaller than these engines i have now. these seem to be a lot wider. thats something new i learned

[yody]

its not smaller

[70ptta]

so now that we cleared that up who has a heavy engine. do you guys think by going with a heavier engine will it defeat the whole pro-touring purpose.

[Jagarang]

Keep the originals. I did. Aluminum heads and intake take off some weight. The heads alone took 50 lbs out of the front...maybe more. The HO 197 heads I had weighed 57 lbs EACH, the Edelbrock alum. heads as a pair didn't add up to one stock iron head if I recall correctly. I didn't weight the cast iron intake vs the alum one but it's sure to be a few pounds. On top of that I put in a Wayne Due subframe which unloaded more dead weight. If you wanna get really crazy, and I SOOOOooo wish I could afford it, got to Butler Performance and buy an Alum. BLOCK AND HEADS>>>>SWEEEEEEEeeeeeeT. Pickle those original motors for the future and fry some Michelins.

[Orngcrush69]

I'm running a BBC with aluminum heads, the main thing I changed were the front springs, stock BB springs are about 475 lb., I went to a Afco 650 lb. spring, with spacers and it helped a lot!

[Roadrage David]

im running a 400 street stroker to 462 with the alu heads manifold ecetera 575hp / 577 lbs feet of torque max rpm 6000 it weighs in nearly as mutch as a all steel ssb. the pontiac engine in general in known as a intermidiat engine its right in between the ssb and sbb perfect for the street/track you get big block torque/performance in small block weight. if you have the origenal engines have them rebuild and tuned up Jim Lehard of Central Cerginia Mashine Sirves , is one of the best pontiac goeroes out there with the best sirves . now if you whant to go real crazy and whant to give the bbs a run for its money go for the Indian adventure II engine block witchs can be stroked and bored to the same size as the wildest bbs out there , and you still are mutch lighter in the frond . never the ess keep those poncho,s injun engines in there