301 What trans?

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D Berry

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First of all, I'm new here so bear with me. I'm looking at a Firebird Esprit with a non turbo 301 engine. I realize that the 301 is not considered to be a performance engine by any stretch of the imagination. So I'm thinking possible engine swap, and what I need to know is what transmission would be in this car from the factory. Really hoping that it will be the BOP turbo350, I really don't know that the 301 has the same bellhousing pattern as the other Pontiac v8s. Thanks!
 
you are correct the 301 is a Pontiac not a Chevy so it would be BOP. They also make adapter plates for interchanging BOP and Chevy transmissions and engines.
 
Yes I am thinking about a 403 swap cause it was used in the auto TAs, as I recall. Just wondering weather the trans in the car now would be usable.
 
it's usable but you may want to consider a 200r4 or 700r4 and a Pontiac 400 versus the Olds 403.
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It is either a BOP TH-350, or a BOP Metric 200 3-speed you can look at the shape of the oil pan on the trans and tell the difference, the M 200 usually has the word "metric" cast into the case.
If I were you I would look for a Pontiac 350 or 400 to put into the car, it would be an easier swap than the Olds 403 you mentioned in the 1st post.
 
where did you come up with that number, did you mean a 389?
 
I forgot to add if you do go with the Pontiac 350 or 400 swap make sure the engine you get has all the matching accessory brackets, they do not swap with the short deck 301 or 265.
The same would be true for any Olds engine. Also you can reuse the motor mount brackets & Mounts if you decide to go with a Pontiac Engine.
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Or if you wanted to go cheap and fairly easy here is a NOS 301 short block still in its shipping crate for $300, just redo your heads. And reuse most of your engines bolt on parts.

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/pts/d/pontiac-301-engine-new/6342075409.html

Or a low mileage 301 with trans for the same price

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/pts/d/1980-pontiac-301-and-350/6364588689.html

I think I know the car this last one came out of, if true this one is a steal as it it did come out of a very low mileage car.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/pts/d/1981-pontiac-301-motor15000/6355862797.html
 
D Berry said:
A 359 Pontiac would be dandy but they're kind of rare aren't they?
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Sorry. I meant 350, after it was posted I saw what I had done and tried to edit it and was apparently unsuccessful even in that. The trans may very well be metric, and now I learn the brackets would probably have to be replaced because the 301 has a different deck height. Well I'm starting to think that an engine swap is not in my future unless I pay someone else to do it. A four barrel intake would be nice but do they even exist?
 
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there are no aftermarket intakes for the 301
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melsg5 said:
there are no aftermarket intakes for the 301
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I looked on Amazon and they have a number of Edelbrock 71564 Performer RPM intakes listed, new for around $450. Of course they could have been out of production for years now. For twice that amount you could go a self learning FI setup like Holley, if they even make it for a two barrel Rochester intake.
 
the 71564 is a current production manifold and does NOT fit the 301. You need a factory 4bbl for the 301, maybe from a junk yard.
 
You are correct, I went back to Amazon and typed in "Pontiac 301 intake manifold" just like before and got the same page. It doesn't even say what size engine it fits which as I look around seems to be the theme with the ads for intakes. Apparently all the engines take the same intake except the 301. Hate to admit it but if there is a engine swap in my future it'll have to be SBC.:confused:
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thats not an ususual swap and is pretty easy other than the transmission bolt pattern being different and requiring an adapter.
 
I just don't understand why it has to be a small block Chevy if you do the swap? If you plan on doing a LS or Gen V swap then I understand the thinking. But they will not be unexpensive.
To swap in a SBC you will have to change the Frame plates for the engine mounts, change the trans, or get an adaptor plate, (the adaptor plate is cheaper and easier, but then you have to shorten the driveshaft by the same measurement of the thickness of the adaptor plate. You will still have to swap out all the accessory brackets unless the doner engine comes with all of them you need.
Putting in a Pontiac 350, 400, or 455 would only require the accessory brackets to be swapped if the doner engine does not come with them. They bolt up to your trans, mount with the same motor mounts, and your drive shaft will work unmodified.
A SBC is really not that much cheaper to build than a 400 or 455 Pontiac, and definatly would require less work to install.
I only suggest you look at the cost of the complete conversion before making up your mind. All those little $100 dollar parts add up fast to real money. I know because I have gone down that road in the past.

And if you are looking for a 301 4bbl intake it would have to be a used stock part. The 301 intake only fits that engine and the even smaller Pontiac 265 V8

I did find a Forum dealing with the Pontiac 301 & 265 V8's it may help with your current engine. I am definatly not an expert on the 301's. I know just enough to be dangerous.

http://www.301garage.com/forum/
 
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