1980 grand prix engine mods

Question

i have a '80 pontiac grand prix with a 301 v8, im in the process of restoring it and adding some mods to it, my next step is gonna be engine work, i have an idea of some things id like to do, i wanna give the car some balls, im doing dual straight pipes on it and would like to redo the heads, i got a chevy 350, would the heads off that match the current motor? any one else have any ideas that i can mess around with?

Answer 1

The 301 is a Pontiac.  You don't put Chevrolet heads on a Pontiac engine. They won't fit.

Answer 2

I had a 78 with the 301. And basically the only thing available is the factory Turbo Trans Am set up. I spent alot of time researching the possibilities and came up with very little for that 301. It has been quite a long time and many cars ago. The better alternative may be to go with a Poncho 350. There is alot of parts out there for that motor. That 301, unfortunately, has very little to offer.

Answer 3

Pontiac to Chevrolet engine change requires all new mounts, Underhood engine harness (or modifications to the existing one) and a new transmission (Bellhousing is different). Chevroelt heads will not mount on pontiac engines.

301 wasn't one of Pontiac's better engines.

I'd look for a 350, 400 or 455 Pontiac engine - its a bolt in swap. Find a 400, add headers and a 4 barrel carb and you'll have 260 - 300 hp

Good luck

Answer 4

Even if they do bolt up (which I dont think they will) its not going to give you any more power... if I had to guess you would loose some since larger cc heads are going to lower your compression.

You would be much better off porting your stock heads runners and buying a semi-mild cam with a set of springs to match.