82-86 T/A Questions

PWMAN · 04-29-2003, 05:37 PM

He guys, I was thinking about buying an early-mid 80's trans am and I have a few Q's.
What is the stock differential on them
How much power can it handle
And whats a good clutch to get, I want a manual trans.
I was thinking about the Centerforce Dual Friction but I haven't heard the best about them, but not for T/A's specifically.
The reason I want an early-mid 80's is I want so luxuries of a newer car ( I'm used to 70's, no AC!) and they are easier to find. And I also had a 307 CID engine ready to plop in it making 425 HP - Mechanical cam, ported heads with biggest valves that fit- 1.84/1.60.
It came out of a 69 El Camino, for some reason everyone thinks 307's suck. They are just a 327 with a slightly smaller bore. The 307 just never came hopped-up from the factory, always with a 2 barrel. And also, people think you are talking about a 305, which does suck.
Thanks for any help somebody can give me.

4mula · 04-29-2003, 10:38 PM

if it has the 4 wheel disc option it's an assie 9 bolt. anything else is your standard 7 5/8th ring gear, not a strong unit, same as an S10 pickup. Centerforce DF's are fine if installed right. And if you like the power your otherengine made, go with iy, but you may need help with some brackets for the accessories

PWMAN · 05-01-2003, 10:45 AM

Hey thanks for the info.
One other thing, somebody just told me yesterday that the 305 in the firebirds is a pontiac 305, not chevy. So it has a different bellhousing and the 307 will not bolt up - is this true or is it just BS? I really need to know before I buy it.
And how much HP do you think that 7 5/8 can handle? Whats the best swap if it can't handle 425 HP? I need something thats not rare like that 4 wheel disc axle, Something I can find in the local junkyard that will bolt right up with no mods/fabs needed. Thanks

PWMAN · 05-06-2003, 08:28 AM

Come on somebody's got to know if any small block chevy will bolt in. Some Help?

tjoe2000 · 05-11-2003, 11:38 PM

Sorry PWMAN, I thought I'd give it a shot, but I don't know. I thought that the Camaro and Firebirds used the SAME engines since the begining of the 3rd gen.

PWMAN · 05-12-2003, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjoe2000
Sorry PWMAN, I thought I'd give it a shot, but I don't know. I thought that the Camaro and Firebirds used the SAME engines since the begining of the 3rd gen.

Thanks, but what do you mean by saying the "SAME" engines? You mean Pontiac engine?

tjoe2000 · 05-12-2003, 10:38 AM

By the same, I mean I think both Chevy and Pontiac used UNIVERSAL engines.....meaning Chevy engines, as a cost cutting advantage.
Just as they both used the SAME LT-1 and LS-1 engines in the 4th gen cars, the 3rd gens would use the same 305 and 350's.
Earlier generations, however, would use their own, divisionally developed engines.
...................................of course, this is just what I THINK. This is in no way hard fact, just pretty much my opinion. I'm still looking for the proof , 'cause now I'm curious about it.

PWMAN · 05-12-2003, 07:08 PM

Cool, Thanks for helping

Blue02R6 · 05-13-2003, 01:36 AM

They used chevy engines, well they used chevy V-8s. I remember reading that the '82s were originally designed to use Pontiac motors, but the GMing of GM won out in the end. I'm not sure about the 4 banger, though. It could have been a pontiac motor. Besides Pontiac never made a 305. The V-8 displacements are: 265, 287, 301, 317, 326, 347, 350, 370, 389, 400, 421, 428, and 455ci.

PWMAN · 05-13-2003, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blue02R6
They used chevy engines, well they used chevy V-8s. I remember reading that the '82s were originally designed to use Pontiac motors, but the GMing of GM won out in the end. I'm not sure about the 4 banger, though. It could have been a pontiac motor. Besides Pontiac never made a 305. The V-8 displacements are: 265, 287, 301, 317, 326, 347, 350, 370, 389, 400, 421, 428, and 455ci.

So you are saying the 305 is a Chevy, and any othe SBC will drop right in? My brother said the bellhousing is different, is this not true? He said he wasn't positive though.

Blue02R6 · 05-14-2003, 04:38 PM

Yes thats what I'm saying. The 305 is a SBC. Any small block except for the very early ones will work, meaning your 307 will work. If you have any more doubts just look at the waterpump/timing cover. If the timing cover is stamped and the pump goes across it then its a chevy. If the cover is cast and the pump bolts onto it then it would be a Pontiac. Also stock Pontiac intake manifolds were seperated from the valley(think edlebrock airgap manifold with valley cut off). SB and BB chevys were not like this the manifold doubles as the valley pan. Finally, look at the oil pan, on a Pontiac the front of the pan extends about 2" in front of the block. It forms a flat joint with the timing cover. One more note if you have a 700r4 trans it has to be a chevy, 700r4s only came with chevy bolt patters. Good luck with the swap.

PWMAN · 05-15-2003, 09:53 AM

Thanks

FrmlaBRD350 · 06-02-2003, 11:10 PM

I own a firebird formula with some sort of L98 motor in it. Tonight i went up against a good friend of mine in a race. He beat me but, thats not the bad part he did it in a 2000 Ford mustang. It gets worse he has a v-6 motor. I need to know how to race an automatic and how I can get the most power out of my engine when I do race. Please, any comments or suggestions to help.

PWMAN · 06-03-2003, 03:15 PM

I don't know much about new cars, most of them have an electronically shifted tranny. I'm not sure if you can get a shift kit for it??? Anyway, you should shift your automatic manually. So if you want to race somebody from a stop, put it down in first - keep it in first until you feel it isn't pulling real hard anymore. See your factory tranny has a certain shift point, most shift too early not giving you optimum performance. So shift manually and find a shift kit if you can.

Blue02R6 · 06-13-2003, 05:17 AM

Well, to get the most power out of it. Take the motor out, disassmble it, and take it to a machine shop. Have them blue print and balence the motor, deck the block, and port the heads. New cam, lifters and rocker arms, some headers and port matched intake. That would get to you started on getting the most out of that L98. Of course for that kinda money you could just get an LT4. As for the tranny buy a TCI replacement. They will match up the torque converter to the motor specs. Not the cheapest way to go but you did say most.

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