any plans for forced induction?

Mmmmmmmmmm, F-body. *Drools*

The heads are off and the cylinder bores look pretty good. No ridges or scratches.
Heads are in good shape too although the valve stem seals are toast.





Aluminum dual plane intake manifold with 750 CFM Q-Jet ready to go.
Note that I have blocked off the EGR like I always do. :P



I plan on setting it up similar to my Formula. Going for torque instead of mega hp.

Forced induction is not in the plans.
I'll leave that with my Bonne.
This engine will make as much torque as the 3800 with 15 psi of boost.

is that the deepest you will go, or are you gonna take the whole thing apart and clean it? IMO a turbo would be fun, something different with the lower GR, but its your car. Just keep the pics and progress coming.

I still plan on dropping the pan and clean up the bottom end. Maybe the rear main seal.
Won't pop out the pistons. Will probably break open a cap or two just to check the bearing clearances. Maybe freshen up the oil pump.....no...probably will.
Front cover will come off and a new timing chain will be installed with a hi torque cam.
Heads will be shaved for a little more compression.

If I go all the way with the pistons and bore, I will just have to blueprint and balance and the cost will become excessive.
I would only do that with my other Firebird that is in immaculate condition and far more worthy of such treatment.
Next year I am considering installing aluminum heads with roller rockers on it.

I already bought the Hooker headers and this will probably be taken over by my son in a couple of years. Have to save the Turbo project for him.
Besides this Olds engine can only support about 500 crank hp.
NA 400 hp will be plenty.

No pics of progress today.
Cleaning duties only.
Re-tapped all the head bolt holes and chased the threads in all the bolts.
Cleaned off the tops of all the pistons. There was about 20 thou of carbon build up.
Painted up all the pulley'*, water pump and accessory brackets.

On closer inspection, the cylinders in a couple of places show about a 3 thou ridge, so some minor wear but not enough to warrant a rebore. No scores in any of the cylinder walls.

I am going to bring the heads into the performance shop tomorrow to be hot tanked, magnafluxed, new heavier springs, valve grind, bushed, new frost plugs, valve stem height equalized, and shave about 20 thou for a half point of compression.

I brought the old radiator into the rad shop last week. Should be freshened up with a new full row core in a week or two.

Oil pan is next to come off. Wonder what I'll find in there.

Got some Comp Springs for the heads. 105 lbs with a damper spring. Good for 6500 rpm. Ya right, like it will only be turning 5500 max but the original springs a single units rated at 80 lbs.

Crane cam (extreme energy) on the way. It'* mild and makes peak hp at a low 5000 rpm....that'* 160 mph in 3rd gear (no overdrive in this trani).
This cam is only $150. plus $100 for lifters Timing chain and gears are about $150.
I priced a roller cam and with the lifters it is $1300. No way I'm spending that

Took the pan off after work today. Had to jack up the engine to clear the crossmember but it came off no problem. Nasty contents but at least there were no surprises inside.


Starting to remove the lifters now. Got three of 16 out. Wow they are tight. A bit of varnish making it very difficult job. Taking a break for the evening while I drool over my new limited slip for the Bonne.



Got a new oil pump to install tomorrow too.

Hey, surprised I just managed to find this now...

Oh well, good to see another Firebird/Trans Am lover on here. My first car (which I sold 2 years ago to go to school ) was a 1979 Formula 6.6L (Olds) WS6. It was mildly tuned with an Edelbrock carb, intake, hooker headers, exhuast. Not a barn burner, but a good fun car.

Here'* a pic:


Keep it up with the updates on your 'bird!

Ya, I'm a 2nd gen firebird lover too. I bought my 79 brand new and have been upgrading it ever since.



I've made a custom ram air system for it. Still smells new on the inside.

1979 Firebird Formula 6.6 L (403) – Hurst / Olds
3400 LBS
• Rare original colour combination of Metallic Marine Blue exterior and Tan Interior - Power Windows - Air Conditioning delete
• Original owner – Factory special ordered at Bob Scott Motors, Powell River B.C. (March 1979)
• Speedometer conversion from 140 kph to 140 mph gauge – approx. 80,000 mi
• 350 Turbo Hydramatic Trans, shift kit, chrome pan Hurst Dual Gate shifter
• High capacity 3 core Radiator with HD Clutch Cooling 19” Fan
• Conversion to factory WS6 suspension.
o 15 x 8 snowflake aluminum Factory Wheels with Pirelli V-rated tires 255/ 60 R 15
o Polyurethane bushings in sub-frame, front control arms, sway bars and rear leaf springs
o Sub-frame braces
o HD 330 lb Front Springs lowered 1” front
o HD 180 lb Rear leaf springs lowered ¾” with improved anti-squat
o 1 ¼” Front Sway bar and ¾” Rear Sway bar
o Quick ratio steering gear
• Rear Differential 10 bolt 8 ½”
o HD Strange Axles with 3.08 ratio gear-set
o C-clip eliminator kit
o High tensile bearing studs and Gigliotti rear aluminum cover with bearing stud support girdle -Original 2.41 (160 mph) gear-set in storage
o Competition Engineering traction bars with J-bolts
• Engine modifications – 340 hp @ 4900 rpm 400 ft-lbs @ 3200 rpm
o 5700 rpm redline
o Edelbrock Performer – Camshaft & aluminum intake manifold, Cloyes dual roller timing chain and cam gears (straight up), dual valve springs and Cr-Mo pushrods
o 1 5/8” Hooker headers, H-pipe with original mufflers and tailpipes
o Chromed 6 qt high capacity Tornado Engine pan and Edelbrock valve covers
o Original rebuilt 750 CFM 4-barrel Rochester Carburetor with electric choke – HO racing
o Distributor advance kit conversion and vacuum advance diaphragm – HO racing
o Accel Super Coil, MSD 6AL ignition system (5600 rpm rev limiter) and 8 mm low impedance wires
o Blocked heat crossover and carb heat shield
• Front brakes conversion to Stainless Steel Brakes slotted rotors with Carbon Metallic pads. Rebuilt master cylinder and power booster. Drilled rear drums.
• 300 watt dual amplified Kenwood CD player
• Chromed Hood Hinges and Alternator
• Aluminum hood vents and fender braces
• Battery relocated to trunk
• Custom Ram Air Intake with dual under fender scoops and sealed K&N 14” x 4” filter (+20 hp)
• Alpine alarm system with ignition kill and perimeter alert
• HELLA 80/100 Watt Quad Quartz Iodine Lights
• Bilstein Gas Shocks front and rear. Performance alignment with negative camber.
• Re-painted for the first time in 2001 with original color and clear-coat finish
Performance Specs
0-60 mph – 5.4 sec 1/8 mile – 9.0 sec (street tires) ¼ mile – 13.8 @ 104 mph

I'm turning this new "old" Trans Am into its clone.