Rob, since the '69 Camaro has the same front end as the Firebird, most of the parts to swap in a BBC are available through the Camaro guys. They'll know what to watch out for when switching from the small block Chev (I'm assuming by the use of the 700r transmission) to the big block.
If the engine is the stock Pontiac 350, you might be better off looking into a Pontiac 455 swap instead, it'll be much simpler.
I do want to fit the bb to the 700r. The 350 thats in is already a chev not pontiac so hopefully wont tread on to many angry pontiac die hards.455s are really scarce here.(South Africa).
The 454 i already have is a good motor. 4 bolt main rectangular port gm performance heads Crane roller rockers and cam Forged pistons Steel crank edelbrock performer rpm intake hooker headers
Motor should be good for 425-450hp
I have the same in my boat and is awesome.
Thanks again for any info that will help.bearing in mind i am halfay around the world and after all this is africa so all bits and pieces need to be imported .
Yea guys, ya can't fault him for that swap. How many Pontiacs are in South Africa? Well we know of one. Chevy parts have more of a reach around the world. Maybe if we had more of a military presents in that part of the world, there would be more Pontiacs like in Europe.
Rob, as pointed out having contact with the Camaro crowd will be helpful. If a SBC is in there already, then your mods of frame mounts and wiring changes are already done. The only thing you will have to consider changing is your front coil springs for the additional weight. Also you might have to beef up you cooling, bigger radiator and better fan.
Hmm, now all we need is a Firebird on Antarctica and we'll have all the continents covered.
I wasn't faulting, I was giving him a heads-up warning. We know how much some Pontiac guys love seeing a Chevy dropped in any Pontiac engine bay. Heck, some will start to gather pitchforks and torches just for using a Camaro spoiler.
Luckily they will probably care less in Africa... he'll just get some ribbing from the guys on the web.
Like the others have said, new frame mounts (SBC will put the engine placement wrong causing fitment issues with headers - one tube will be pinched down to nothing). And higher rate front springs. Don't know about starter placement for wiring.
The 700R4 is not a very strong transmission, so unless it's been upgraded with premium parts, it's not going to last long behind a 454.
Hi all, actually quite a few firebirds here.looked at a couple before choosing this one.Saw a 68 400 with extras like hood rev counter ect but body work is bad.check out gumtree.co.za and have a look at whats for sale here.
My main concern is header clearance.
Mounting the motor to the tranny and manufacturing mounts is pretty simple.Have been offered a set of hooker headers but don't want to buy them if they aren't going to fit.
Any idea what tyre sizes will fit without having to change any bodywork?Will probably go 17x7.5 up front and 17x8.5 at rear if possible.
A reliable source for parts would be cool seeing as I have to import everything from the states.
If the 700r4 is a bit flimsy , what would be a good match for the bb.?
1) Hope your 700R4 holds up (with luck, maybe someone beefed it up), and definitely avoid using slicks.
2) Buy a built one from a reputable shop. The really strong ones are going to be very expensive. Remember most companies will rate them by horsepower level, but it's really torque that kills the transmission, so be sure they know it's a big block, and not a 450hp small block.
3) Switch to a 4L80E or 4L85E. This isn't cheap either, because you need to get a programmable ECU and modify the transmission tunnel.
4) Switch to a TKO600. Of course it's no longer an automatic.
5) Change to a TH400, but then you lose the overdrive.
I wasn't faulting, I was giving him a heads-up warning. We know how much some Pontiac guys love seeing a Chevy dropped in any Pontiac engine bay. Heck, some will start to gather pitchforks and torches just for using a Camaro spoiler.
Mike, in the hill country we use shovels, rakes and inpliments of distruction.
Originally Posted By RobC
Hi all, actually quite a few firebirds here.looked at a couple before choosing this one.Saw a 68 400 with extras like hood rev counter ect but body work is bad.check out gumtree.co.za and have a look at whats for sale here.
Interesting! Most vintage foreign (to you) cars followed their military owners. It's wonderful to know Pontiacs are loved and owned all over the world.
Originally Posted By RobC
My main concern is header clearance.
Mounting the motor to the tranny and manufacturing mounts is pretty simple.Have been offered a set of hooker headers but don't want to buy them if they aren't going to fit.
Headers... I've had a lot of bad experiences with them, so tend to lean to factory performance when available.
Originally Posted By RobC
Any idea what tyre sizes will fit without having to change any bodywork?Will probably go 17x7.5 up front and 17x8.5 at rear if possible.
Many here have gone to larger wheels. Just keep in mind back space, width and offset when up sizing wheels.
Originally Posted By RobC
A reliable source for parts would be cool seeing as I have to import everything from the states.
Jegs, Summit Racing come to mind. Also all the Pontiac vendors are good, including our town curmudgeon Terry (69firebirdman). If you need something that's not in reproduction he's the man to go to. He also offers NOS, repop and custom parts.
Originally Posted By RobC
If the 700r4 is a bit flimsy , what would be a good match for the bb.?
My experiences with auto trans is limited to the 4L80/60E, TH350 and TH400. Had a bad one with the 4L80E in a '95 Formula, but have 4L60E in my '01 Blazer with no problems. The TH350's and 400's both can be built with performance and dependability in mind.
Originally Posted By RobC
Dam I can hear the rat idling already.LOL.
Rats have a nice rumble, but nothin' like a Poncho.
Now that was a serious reply.Lots of food for thought.Was offered a set of corvette wheels today for about 1500 dollars with excellent tyres.18 rears with 295 tyres and 17 front with 265s.Think they are too wide but really nice lookers.
Sold my 93 bronco with 351 lightning today.So now theres cash to start the bird project.Excellent timing.
If I post the vin number of the firebird could someone tell me exactly what it is?Would be cool to know.
I wasn't faulting, I was giving him a heads-up warning. We know how much some Pontiac guys love seeing a Chevy dropped in any Pontiac engine bay. Heck, some will start to gather pitchforks and torches just for using a Camaro spoiler.
I think you can go to the 1969 firebird page when you first log on to run Firebird body tag Analyzer this might be what you are looking for to see what you have Tim
I wasn't faulting, I was giving him a heads-up warning. We know how much some Pontiac guys love seeing a Chevy dropped in any Pontiac engine bay. Heck, some will start to gather pitchforks and torches just for using a Camaro spoiler.
Hmmm camaro spoiler.LOL
It'll go good with your Corvette rims.
But seriously (since apparently providing 5 different transmission options is not a serious reply), the Covette rims offsets are way to high, and it can vary a little from car to car, but even getting the backspacing perfect, you'll be lucky to fit a 245 in front and a 275 in the back.
Had a feeling the wheels would be to big.Will probably end up with 225x17 up front and 275x18 rear.Will need to go to 17 to clear bigger brakes.
I will try to get some pics on so you can have a look.I only picked the car up today .Started writing my shopping list.Ouch!!No rust which is cool.suspension is new with polyurethane bush kit all around.Ride is really tight and brakes for std are impressive. Got a firebird year one catalogue with the car.Seems pretty comprehensive.Any experience with them as suppliers?Sorry to ask but being far away you gotta be careful .
The firewall body tag will provide info pertaining to what the shell left the factory with. It doesn't give the whole picture. For the complete picture you'll have to send the VIN # to Pontiac Historical Services. < http://www.phs-online.com/ > For $60.00 USD it's worth the price if your questioning the authenticity, or to find out what it was originally equipped with. I had both of mine documented. I also had to find out about a '69 GTO I once owned. Never should have let that one go.
Chevy parts have more of a reach around the world. Maybe if we had more of a military presents in that part of the world, there would be more Pontiacs like in Europe. 
![[Linked Image from i64.photobucket.com]](http://s64.photobucket.com/user/mally38/media/My%20Firebird/1002861_10202046656987323_1462963825_n.jpg.html)
