Should engine make match car make?

[olbuddybob]

I bought my Pontiac with a Chevy SB and imediatly thought I would swap it out for a Pontiac ( 400, 428, or 455). After some time I am starting to consider leaving the SBC in and working with it. This car is not anywhere near original and is planned to be a fun cruiser. I would like to get it into the mid 12's but mostly just drive the wheels off of it. I know this topic has been beat to death but I was wondering what the junkies think about this topic.

[cal67ss396]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

I listened to what people thought I should do before, and now I am kicking myself in the a*s for doing that. I let go of a '66 Chevelle with 49,000 miles on the clock so I could build the big block for my SS Chevelle which needs alot of body work. I should have sold the SS and built the big block for my 66. Long story short do what you want and never listen everybody else thinks its your car do what you want. Especially if its not at all original.

[fahrenschnell]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Nope... That is an easy question. As long as it makes the car fast. 8)

[HEMI]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Whatever you like.I like oddball stuff.

[JOES66FURY]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

If it runs leave it...the Pontiac faithful will give you a hard time but a true car guy aint gonna give a rats ass...

[smallblockjay]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Run the SBC, I say. If you run accross a Pontiac motor and want to build it for the car, at least you can play with the car while you work on it. There's nothing wrong with having a Chevy motor in your car, other than some have a hard time with it because Chevy motors tend to end up in everything. The "belly button." There's a reason for that. 8) But a good pancho motor would be cool as well. Better yet, the ricers will never know it's a Chevy motor in a Pontiac. Get 'em, boy!!!

[Mr.WFO]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

depends on what you got.

v8's are good for everything, if you want a 4 banger there's nothing wrong with going japanese (even tho the ecotec could hold it's own.)

[Freiburger]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

I prefer that non-Chevys do NOT have Chevys in them. A Chevy with a Pontiac in it, great. A Ford with a Hemi in it? Great. But a small-block Chevy swap is just too easy and typical.

[JRoberts]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

I prefer that non-Chevys do NOT have Chevys in them. A Chevy with a Pontiac in it, great. A Ford with a Hemi in it? Great. But a small-block Chevy swap is just too easy and typical.

I agree! A mid-'50's Pontiac with a 389 or 421 tri-power engine would be really cool, for example.

[msc66]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

My current Buick is my first non-chevy but I have to agree with DF on this one.

[Vegaman]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Run the SBC, I say. If you run accross a Pontiac motor and want to build it for the car, at least you can play with the car while you work on it. !

While I tend to agree with DF, economics makes me agree with Jay

[std]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Why put a Chevy motor in a Firebird or a Cutlass when they made Camaros and Chevelles? I can understand ls motors in Mustangs, but I never understood the Chevy in a Pontiac(or other GM) when Chevy makes the same car.

[ls7gto]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Both of my rides have Chevies in them. The GTO got the BBC way back in 71, when the owner got tired of scatterring the ponchos. It will get a pontiac again, when its cost vs perf makes its worthwhile.
My 56 olds got a 400 sbc because the previous owner wanted to be able drive it anywhere and get parts for it on the road. Ever try and find a water pump for a 324 rocket in East Jabiip on a Fri. afternoon?
And here is a biggest factor, it is what I have . I think having a car to drive is more important than what engine is in it. Plus I went 10.60s on a $3500 BB, on pump gas, driving there 104 miles and and back with out spray . Nothing against the poncho, but it would cost a bit more to do that .
I hope you all dig my junk, but all that matters is that I do! Just my Opinion . Doug

[HEMI]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

Run the SBC, I say. If you run accross a Pontiac motor and want to build it for the car, at least you can play with the car while you work on it. There's nothing wrong with having a Chevy motor in your car, other than some have a hard time with it because Chevy motors tend to end up in everything. The "belly button." There's a reason for that. 8) But a good pancho motor would be cool as well. Better yet, the ricers will never know it's a Chevy motor in a Pontiac. Get 'em, boy!!!

They are not bellybuton engines.What they are is Government Issue,issued to every gearhead at biirth.

[Brad54]

Re: Should engine make match car make?

I always get a twinge of disappointment when I see a Chevy in street rods, Ford trucks, '50s Pontiacs and Buicks, etc.
Everyone always sights cost as a factor, but in the long run of the car build, it's not THAT much more expensive.
Front sump versus rear sump oil pans are another cause given, but truck pans for Mopars and over the counter at Ford take care of that.
Consumable parts, like fuel and water pumps are also a semi-decent argument, but it doesn't take much effort to throw a spare in the trunk next to your tool box if you're really that concerned about it.

How about the originality of a 401 Nailhead in a '56 F100? How about a REAL Old Rocket in any street rod, rather than just their valve covers on top of a SBC? Why not drop a big block Mopar in something, instead of a BBC? Even an FE is more interesting.

Street rods are a little different, I suppose, but not much. Mis-matched engines in muscle cars really disappoints.

-Brad