Thread: 1981 301 turbo swap to 400

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Well I'll answer this for Jerilynne1965 and if ibeflip dosn't check back OH WELL.

I happen to have an 81 Firebird (started out as a 4.3) thats been converted to a TA clone with mid 70's 400/TH 350, TA nose and shaker set up.

It was all a bolt on transformation, I parted out a wrecked mid 70's TA and the major componets I changed out besides the Engine and tranny were the bigger sway bars, rear end (same ratio as the original rear, but a Posi), Dual exhaust and the bigger radiator.

As far as computer controls if your running a early or aftermarket non electronic carb and dist it's no problem as long as you leave the oil pressure and temp sender wires connected. The dash cluster is a bolt in, but you may need to change the under dash harness. You need to be aware this swap will likely not pass any emission test if it's required.

I'm running a stock manifold and Q-Jet on mine, but I did do a Preformer RPM conversion on a 77 TA with the shaker set up and there were not any clearance issues. As I remember on the turbo cars you have a flat hood with a bubble for the turbo. I suspect with the right aircleaner you should be able to get by with the stock hood.