Whats up, guys. I live in Northern New Jersey and am having difficulty finding a shop that will do engine/trans swaps for older cars like ours. I'm looking to have my tired 170hp 350/350 setup pulled out of my '76 Cutlass S and have a nice mild streetable 455/400 (c.i. and tranny) put in. I just don't have the setup/knowlege to do it myself. So if anyone here lives in Jersey, I would really appreciate a heads up on a good shop. Thanks.

 

Have you tried any local speed shops because if any one would know what shops do what they should. Just a suggestion.
Doug.

 

Not too active on this board but Oldsmobile Club of America has lots of chapters all over the U.S. and they all have lots of hook-ups. Check them out.

 

The thing with NJ is that you cannot drop a motor in a car that is older than the car.

In other words, it's illegal to drop in say a 75 motor in your 76 car, but you can drop in any motor newer than your car.

Why not get the '76 motor rebuilt, more expensive, but you could easily get more than 400 horses out of it

 

Good point. And who would even notice if that '76 or newer 455 had earlier heads? Probably nobody. You can rebuild any vintage 455 into a decent street engine.

 

I forgot to mention that I've got "QQ" plates on it and it's not subject to inspection. I had no intentions of looking for a "hot" pre-1971 or so engine. A smogger will do just fine. And I'd probably run duel cats in case of future law changes. But thanks for the help, I'll check out local speed shops, even though around here I'd probably have more luck if I owned a Honda or Nissan. And I've thought of building the small block but I'm really looking for a mild "torqueY" big block rather than a hot running sb. Although if a stroker kit were availible, like Chevy engines have, that would certainly be an option I'd consider.

 

The 350 Olds Diesle motor, converted, makes a stroker

 

If you can't find a speed shop check one of the hot Chevys around to see who did their work or know of any reliable shops for the engine and tranny swap. There are only a few around here that I would trust to do that kind of work although it is pretty staight forward. Good luck!
Doug.

 

Check out http://www.btrperformance.com/ and contact Bill Trovato
585-303-7560

 

Thats a new one to me.. If the things got QQ plates on it, then why get your panties in a bunch?? No inspection is needed. Why waste your money and time on a smogger motor and be laughed at for the rest of your life? If you need a couple of shops that do this type of swap, PM me. I could be wrong, but dont you just need big block mounts for this swap?