tnelson

ok so here is the deal, i got a 1977 grand prix with a 5.7 350 rocket but i just found out that the engine needs a rebuild due to frost plugs and the fact i have some money but the kicker is... i dont know what to do. I need a good starting place to build a car with good horsepower but something that i can still run normal gas in and drive daily. my mechanic said it should cost about $2500 the engine but im wondering what i could do for about $4000. I was wondering about heads, the advantages of heads, header-back ehxaust, i really dont know but it want to learn and could really use a car buffs help. i will consider any suggestions so lay um out guys. thatnks alot and happy motoring

Bluevista

I hate to say this but if I had a '77 Poncho and had 4k to spend and wanted every day reliabilty and horsepower with good gas mileage and not a lot of messing around I'd do an LS engine swap if it's feasible.

Sometimes us old dogs can learn new tricks.

knighthawk

Get a Crate engine ! with $4000 you can get a nice guarrenteed motor ! I'm building my own, with the only outside work will be some machine work in the block, and I'll still spend 2000 to $-3000, and could easily spend another $1000 !

firefrost gold

were in mn are you ? Can you do the remove and replace yourself ? Being from what I know or beleive to know you should have a pontiac in it so does it have A/C ?

joe_padavano

By the time you buy the necessary electronics and wiring and new trans, that swap will cost a lot more than $4K. Personally, I'd go with a 455 Poncho.

blueRAYwhale

hey, will a pontiac 400 motor bolt-in in place of that Olds. 350? will it need alot of parts locating to make it match-up? did pontiac use the TH400 behind the pontiac 400 motor in '77. do you have a TH400 in that car? if i had enough parts/donor car i might look into doing a mild rebuild on the 400, like 9.0 to 1 pistons, do pontiacs like lots of cam? maybe go with .425"/445" lift 205 degrs. dur., 112 centr. ln. are pontiac motor/internals relatively expensive to rebuild? keep the single exaust, HEI ignition, Q-jet carb. i like Olds. 350's except when it comes to replacing them in those years,and cars that weigh over two tons. just not much power to be had when using factory emmision parts/manifolds/etc. how about a Olds. 403? they made those in that year, and they used bigger valves.

tnelson

Thanks bluewray whale, those are all very valid points and thought about switching back to pontiac but my mechanic said it would be a huge pain to redo the engine mounts n stuff. That true? I know the pontiac 400 used the TH400 but I don't know how available or cheap parts are. I know a lot of people are trying to get me to do a chevy engine but I think that's lame. In 77 pontiac ran outta engiines n that's why it has a olds350. Thanks for the ideas,if I do stick with the olds 350 wha headers should I go with?

cutlassefi

Do the Olds, just as easy or hard to get parts for as the Pontiac, everything else is already set up for it. I think you'd probably need G body headers for it. Shouldn't be a problem.

Jmo.

J-(Chicago)

You could sell the car to me. I've been looking for a 73-77 GP.

blueRAYwhale

yeah, true. just throwin that out there. don't know about headers, g body sounds right.

joe_padavano

Well, three bolts per side to change the frame mounts.

Let's just say that it's LOTS easier than the LS swap you first suggested.

If you keep the Olds motor, you need headers for the same year Cutlass. Not a G-body, by the way. I think the same headers fit 1968-77 Cutlass from most manufacturers.

fly1

Rebuild the 350 u have get some earlier #5 or#7 heads a good cam and headers. 200r4 trans with good rear gears and you should have a nice performer that gets good mileage with a qjet.

tnelson

Fly1 i like your style and that sounds pretty close to what i had in mind. I do have a th400 already though and wouldn't mind using that if possible. I want to do a posi rearend too, any suggestions? Also i was wondering about any advice on headers as well. i found a set of hooker comps on summit, i think they are 3901's. Thanks for all the help guys, i absolutely love this site and all the different ideas.

fly1

The 400 trans is fine. I only said the 200r4 because its overdrive and you mention about not wasting gas. But if you match everything properly u can have An all around vehicle. If you are putting out some good low end torque 3:08 or 3:23 rear gears soul be good with the 400 trans and I can cruise at 70 right at or right under 3000 rpm and still have a good takeoff from the red light. A good tuned qjet won't waste as much fuel when cruising at part throttle. But the overdrive trans can have you flirting with 20mpg on the highway.