National Firebird and Trans Am Club Message Board

Technical Areas => Engine Related Items => Topic started by: hallowedpunk on October 05, 2006, 06:58:21 PM

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Title: cadillac 472 fit into a 79 ta?
Post by: hallowedpunk on October 05, 2006, 06:58:21 PM
I was wondering if a 1969 cadillac 472 angine equipped with a shortshaft turbo 400 trans would fit into a 1979 trans am.  Would I need to take out the ac unit or the inner fenders or would it slide right in?  I dont want to miss ouit on the opportunity to drop 700 hp right in my ta. Please email me suggestions. hallowedpunk@yahoo.com
Title: Re: cadillac 472 fit into a 79 ta?
Post by: 78tahitman on October 05, 2006, 10:15:04 PM
I looked into doing that in my first 1977 Trans Am.  Yes, you would have to remove the air conditioning, part of the firewall, and also the inner fender wells would have to be cut as well.  Plus changing the motor mounts and other items as well.  It is not an easy task.
Title: Re: cadillac 472 fit into a 79 ta?
Post by: Todd Stahr on October 06, 2006, 02:13:11 PM
Its similar to installing an Olds 455, they use similar archetecture with the Caddy. Mounts and exhuast will be the tough part, and bye bye AC, just like Hitman said.

you know, its not too difficult to get 700hp from a Pontiac. The only thing I would do differently on the one I have at that level is a IAII block, or the aluminum block Butlers have.

Using the IAII you can build a 505 real easy, add some wideports or 320-330cfm E heads and 700 on pump gas isnt too tough, its somewhat streetable too with more cubes. A 540 or so would realy grunt with 330cfm heads and a cam in the 245-260 @ .050 range. Picking a cam would be dependent on other factors, like converter, weight, intake choice, gears, etc.

Yeah an IAII based 505 shortblock doesnt come cheap, but its bulletproof and all new parts.  It would also be lighter than the Caddy, figure $10k-$15k for the IAII based 500+ engine, all up and running.

just a thought.. :)

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