Thread: 1981 301 turbo swap to 400

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ok..i have a 1981 Turbo T/A that i am putting a 400 into. what i need to know is:

#1 can i take out the cpu and all the extra wires that were used for carb controls and whatnot with out affecting the other electrical items i'll still need (gauges, tach, ect...)

#2 will a gauge cluster from older T/A's (1976 - 1979) work in my 1981 without changing any wiring? i have the speedo that goes to 85mph (lame) and the oil / temp gauge doesn't seem to work so i want to swap the whole cluster.

#3 anybody have any idea if an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake will fit under the Turbo T/A hood??

thanks please e-mail me at ibeflip@aol.com

Oh that's a drag cause I was actually interested in the answers to this one ha ha! I have the 81 turbo 301 in my T/A...anyhow...i think i'll stick with the engine i got even tho it's not an awesome performer for now until I learn a bit more, but eventually i'm gonna want to figure out how to get more out of her!

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.

Originally posted by Mike P
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 what your 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 youhave 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.

THANKS Mike P.

that will help me out a bunch. She should be up and running in no time.

Streets,
sorry if i upset you. i didn't expect you to just JUST e-mail me some sort of advice...i mean all that had to be done was a quick cut and paste into an e-mail to after you posted a reply just to help a fellow car guy out faster...thanks for looking out!

Hey Ibeflip, Glad you came back...this is a great site, i've really enjoyed it and gotten alot of good info...i'm a complete rookie so i'm sure there isn't much I contribute. But sounds like you do have some stuff to contribute...especially for me to follow ha ha! I'd love to hear how your car comes along since i'm interested in doing some of the same with mine on down the road.



MIKE P!!!! Thank YOU! for sharing what you've done with your T/A i've copied and saved the info for later use. I just got my T/A this summer so i'm tryin to decide what I should do first ha ha! Anyway, as always I really apreciate the members of this site and the willingness to share info and experience...you da man!

some of the Pontiac forums.

http://performanceyears.com/newsite/index.html

My suggestion would be to do this:

http://members.shaw.ca/labrecquem/

KEEP IT TURBO, just with a better motor!