1981 Turbo 4.9 301

need advice....I have a 1981 turbo trans am with a 301 cu in (4.9L). The motor seems to run well but the turbo has been a pain and caused many problems.

I was wondering how this motor would run if I removed the turbo and the turbo intake manifold and the stock turbo carb and replaced them with a non turbo stock standard 301 intake and 650 cfm Holley carb. I'd also change the exhaust manifolds to non turbo.

Please help.

Thanks,  

Well you would lose quite a  bit of power and 650CFM would be too much carb.
I have built a few 301's and without doing a cam upgrade it will just barely get out of it own way.  
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Thanks for the info!! Actually I made a mistake the carb I have is a 600 cfm not 650 cfm and also the heads were redone not sure exactly to what extent I could find out though and the cam has been upgraded to I believe what was called an RV cam. Not exactly sure about the specs on that either but I could probably find that out also. Just wondering if it will run half way decent without the turbo carb and intake by going to a standard stock intake and carb. Does any of this info help my situation?
Thanks again.  

With a decent cam the 600 maybe still a little to much.
EH! those cams they call the RV cam are usually the worst cam you can put in a engine but see if you can fined the specs of it and post them.  
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If you want to make power without the turbo you're going to need a good cam (maybe you have a good one in it, maybe not), a pair of headers or long branch manifolds, a 4bbl 301 intake with a 550 or 580 cfm carb and all the gaskets to install the new items.  You might be better off replacing the turbo and the critical turbo parts.  
1969 GTO, YS code 400, 350hp/445 ft lbs of torque (stock specs), LT headers, H-pipe, 750 Holley 4160, Ignitor II ignition.  Complete Painless wiring.

My 1981 Turbo Trans Am only came alive when the whole engine was replaced with a
Pontiac 400. Pulling out the whole computer system was like removing a cancer.
For the money involved in messing with the turbo engine, you could get a great rebuilt 350 or 400 that would bolt right up to the 350 transmission. The turbo engine was not one of Pontiacs best moments. Don't mean to be a downer, but I did the same thing trying to make it run anywhere near like a Trans Am. The car is old enough now that an emission test is not required (At least in Texas). Although, a well tuned 400 will pass an exhaust test better then my 2002 Ford Explorer with all it's dang sensors.  

The 301 engines sure don't make much power.  Obviously a larger displacement V8 like a Pontiac 350 or 400 would supply much more performance.  However, you have to give the 301 some credit, especially the turbo version, as it was Pontiac's last V8 engine ever.  Sure, you can gut the computer and wiring in favor of a nice big Pontiac engine.  Just realize that there is nothing wrong with building a 301 Pontiac.  There are pros and cons.  301 engines are being thrown away left and right, so there may not be too many of them in the future, which adds to its value.  They're lighter, smaller, sentimental, and unique.  A healthy, well-tuned and built 301 in a T/A produces a well-handling, unique, original Pontiac icon.  
1969 GTO, YS code 400, 350hp/445 ft lbs of torque (stock specs), LT headers, H-pipe, 750 Holley 4160, Ignitor II ignition.  Complete Painless wiring.

Your absolutly right, good point.  

I agree, I have built a few Pontiac 301's and with the right combo you will get good results for the 301.  
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If you plan on keeping it a 301 with the Turbo, check out the links below to the 301 Garage Forum.  The forum and websites were developed just for the 301 and the 301 Turbo, which were severly mis-understood in the day.

www.301Garage.com
www.301Garage.com/forum
www.301Store.com
www.80TransAmPaceCar.com
www.81TA-SE.com

Thanks
1980TAPaceCar  

Wondering if a stock 301 intake will fit on a 1981 4.9 litre turbo motor once removing the turbo?

I am also wondering if a 1980 pontiac T/A 5.0 litre non turbo engine passenger side exhaust manifold will fit on the passanger side of a 1981 pontiac T/A  4.9 turbo engine if removing the turbo?

I am looking for the easiest most inexpensive way to eliminate the turbo and run just a standard intake, carb and exhaust manifold.

Any ideas, answers or advice is appreciated.

Thanks,  

Yes the non turbo intake will fit.
The 5.0 litre is a chevy engine and chevy parts will not fit on a Pontiac engine you will need a non turbo 4.9 litre exhaust manifold and will most likely have to have new exhaust put on the car as well from the maniflods to the cat.  
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Like someone else said, visit the 301 garage forum.  They have a forum where members buy/sell 301 parts.  They likely will have 4bbl intakes for real cheap.  As far as the exhaust goes, you should go with a pair of long tube headers.  They will really improve the performance.  You can get a set new for around $150.  There are some very useful threads about headers at the 301 garage site.  
1969 GTO, YS code 400, 350hp/445 ft lbs of torque (stock specs), LT headers, H-pipe, 750 Holley 4160, Ignitor II ignition.  Complete Painless wiring.

Yes headers will make an improvement but if on a tight budget manifolds will do.  
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