81 TA help

I want to swap engines in my 81, it currently has the 4.9. Can I install a 350 or 400 small block in its place without major changes. If so what needs to change.
Thanks  

Look at general discussion post.  

Depends on if you are talking about a small block Chevy or a small block Pontiac. If your talking about the Pontiac its very easy, and you can fit a 350 400 or 455 in there. I did 2 of them a over the last 8 years. A few recommendations for you are, make sure you get all the accessory brackets from the new engine (350, 400, or 455), Have your Q-Jet rebuilt and re jetted to match your new engine, your intake manifold from the 301 will not fit a 350 400 or 455 its specific to the 301. So if your new engine comes with a 2 barrel start searching the junkyards for a 4 barrel or just buy an Edelbrock manifold. Also it would be a good idea although not necessary to replace the exhaust manifolds with either ram air manifolds or headers and a good flowing dual exhaust, summit sells a cheap cat-less header back exhaust in a box for like $150. The motor mount brackets on the block bolt right to almost all Pontiac blocks so that's not an issue. Not sure if your car is a turbo car or not but if it was a turbo use an HEI distributor off of any Pontiac engine from 74-81 that is non turbo charged. Turbo charged distributors are computer controlled and require knock sensors with out them the computer will cause issues. With careful spending and some good junk yard searching you can do this swap very cheap. I think that's about it, if you have any other problems let me know I will try to help.  

Yes, go with the Pontiac.  It's much easier but unfortunately probably slightly more expensive in the end.  I eneded up using my stock 301 motor mounts to swap to a 400 motor from a 73 Trans Am in my 81.  All of the later Pontiac blocks have multiple motor mount taps for different models.  Once you ax the 301 just about all parts are the same from 328 to 455.  Fitment in the engine bay is great too since they're basically the same in this respect as the 77-79 Trans Am's.  Below is my current 81 project Trans Am with the 400 installed.  


www.geraldsgto.com  

Looks like a great project.  
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