Can We Fit a V8 in our Classic Compact - Chevy Vega
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
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In this video we are working on our 1975 Pontiac Astre (Chevy Vega) that we painted with rattle cans in a previous video. The 4 cylinder engine was very underpowered and was a problematic motor right from the factory. We are replacing it with a small block chevy 305. We know that a lot of people dislike these motors for their lack of power and prefer the 350, but for this small car, it will be plenty. We definitely run into some problems with clearance and just fitting it in the engine bay in general. any tips are much appreciated! We have done engine swaps before, but this is a new one for us! Thanks again for watching!
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We have another project coming out next week so keep an eye out for that!
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Good grief that brings back memories. I built a 73 Vega 44 years ago. Had a 060 over 327 11to1 pistons a muncie 4 speed and a narrowed 12 bolt with posi and 4:10 gears. Painted Spectra red 5" snorkel scoop. It was a fast death trap. Rolled it,tore it all to pieces. Built another one. Blew the motor sky high! Sold the whole mess. Enjoy fellas! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
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That was a bad ass ride thanks for the trip back in time , been around a few the 327 loves the 4 speed and 373 or 410
not a 305? haha I had a buddy with a vega tube chassis big block , Another with a 350 vmonza that ran 13s . sounds slow today but in the late 80s that was an ass hauler.
@@davesnothere8859 My 1985 Corvette ran 13's, I only lost to one street car and he had nitros. 13's was fast in the 80's.
the best part of this show is whenever they recommend a product, I know I can find it at crappy tire
What is rare now. Used to be commonplace in the late 70's and80's lots of v8's running in them cars back then😊
Ya, it's been done, but doesn't seem like there is as much as far as swap kits out there. But we've had a few comments that are helpful too!
GM installed them from the factory! All the necessary parts are available factory stock parts.
@@dskeboit was a specialty option and was not done at GM, they were out sorced to I think the name was Morris automotive kind of like the Yenko GM cars or Fords Shelby cars, I just saw a whole documentary about it literally last week on RUclips ,they didn’t swap many ,if you can find 1 that was swapped when new it’ll be rare and worth some money
@@RustedRides Motion performance sold a complete kit for a bolt in.
DON HARDY TOO.@@badgascoupe
Back when I was a senior in high school in 1991 for my class project I took a 76 Vega and dropped a 383 stroker motor and a Muncie 4-speed in the car that thing was awesome. The only thing I can see that doesn't make sense to me is why that entire engine got painted black if that engine gets an oil leak you'll never see it that is one of the main reasons American car manufacturers painted their engines with different colors. As far as your clearance issues with the engine goes you are definitely going to have to change the motor mounts but what I have always done when doing a V8 swap into a Vega is cutting the firewall and moving the transmission two or three inches backward the way you're doing it right now you'll never get a radiator in it
No they didn't
See that '75 & up easy swap as H-bodies made for V6/V8 1975 and after...
First off, get the V8 monza mounts, gonna need the monza oil pan too. Long water pump set up won't work, need the short water pump and pulleys. Also a good idea to drill 4 holes in the firewall for the top 4 bell housing bolts. The further back you can get engine and Trans, the easier it will be to work with cooling system.
Yep you got that right
But how did Baldwin, Don Long, Don Hardy, and others build V8 Vegas before the Monza existed? 🤔
.Flip the heater core RIGHT HAND to LEFT HAND ! ? . VALVE COVER CLEAREN"Z !!! ... .. . 😮
@@JeffKopisfactory did. June. 1972. Edition. HOT ROD. MAGAZINE
Yep. Because Monza was the shit. I had a 78’ wagon I dropped a 383 in. She was super fast. And still had amazing handling. Favorite car I’ve ever owned.
This brings back some memories. I V8 swapped my ‘77 Vega back in 1989 on a high school budget.
I used a V8 swap kit made for the Vega, corvette exhaust manifolds, short water pump, and a V8 Sunbird rear end after the original blew apart the spider gears. Trans crossmember just moved back one set of holes.
The car handled like crap but it was quick!
Eventually the car started to twist, doors didn’t want to shut, and the windows started leaking. Traded it for a ‘78 Firebird.
What a fun project.
'77 easy swap as H-bodies made for V6/V8 1975 and after...
Absolutely love the content. Keepin it real. No big fancy machinery and showing how it's done in the yard. Keep up the awesome videos.
Agreed
Your channel was suggested to me by RUclips, because I watch shows like yours I decided to subscibe to you guys about half way into your video because you are not trying to be anything other than what you are! Down to each and fun to watch. I am 60 years old and I had 2 of those Chevy Vegas back in 1984 & 1985 they were ok cars i guess. Looks like you fella's are going to rocket ship this one into space for sure LOL. Be carful and be safe and have lots of fun while your young. By the way guys... Get ready for a lot of modifications that will need done LOL
I was the president of the vega custom car club in 1974 Vancouver B. C. a tip ,a mustang center consol will fit ,use monsa parts rear end and oil pan, flip heater pipes to the left on fire wall 😊 get special ac front springs ad a 2 in rubber donut to top of springs
LOL! '75 & up easy swap as H-bodies made for V6/V8 1975 and after...
In 75 when I was building my Vega before Monzas, we did it like these guys. In my back yard, lots of cussing and beer.
Back in the late 1970's Hooker Headers made a kit to install a SBC in a Vega. It came with motor mounts, headers and a properly sized radiator. Those kits were so popular because finding a Vega with a dead 4-banger was easy since those engines were total crap. Locating a SBC in a salvage yard was even easier. Later they made a similar kit for the Monza platform which were extremely similar to the Vega.
On sbc I always used a front mounting plate with no mid motor support and a good transmission crossmember. You will run into a clearance problem with the distributor but a few sledgehammer blows to the firewall takes care of it. Did a few of these back in the '70s
Thanks! Ya seems the sledge to the firewall is a popular tip haha. We will be better prepared next time!
I built one in 1977. 250 horse 327 and a power glide trans. I use a Headman or Hooker header front mount. Bolts to the 4 holes by the vibration damper. The mount then sits on the frame. I just added a bracket to the trans crossmember. I had a points distributor so a little smaller. For exhaust I milled the stock ram horn manifolds on an angle to hug the block. 2 turbo mufflers hanging off the stock Y pipe split. Qjet carb. welded the stock rear axle for a locker. Much shorter rear tires also.
I delivered pizzas in it for 3 years. Street raced it any time I could. Only lost one race to a wicked Buick or Oldsmobile. Ran under 12 second 1/4 mile.
The whole project was only about 500 bucks without the cost of the car.
My buddy built one of those back in 1973 with a T10 and a 350 LT1 engine from his Wrecked z28 Camaro. .
He did every thing but the Rear end, the engine would eat the Spider gears every time he jumped on the gas.
I worked at UPS back in the late 70's, a trucker i used to talk to had a 73 Vega he'd put a small block 350ci in, it was black on black, had to beef up suspension to deal with the extra weight, he raced it at HALSVILLE DRAG STIP on the weekends drove it to work during the week, sometimes, cause it was "Tubbed and Narrowed"! Man i wanted that car! Think it ran in the 10's cant remember for sure, ive slept since then lol.😎👍
Love the content!! I was going to get in touch to see if you needed my V8 Vega kit that I removed from my race car a few years ago. I was listening and heard your accents when you said ooout and I realized you were in Canada. Well new subs scriber here anyway..lol......Love the Honda powered John Deere!!!
Thank you very much! Ya we appreciate the thought, and if we run into trouble and need specific parts that you might have, we will reach out! Thanks again!
@@RustedRides HAHA!! I am sure you will be fine. You seem to have everything planned out and I know you guys are awesome fabricators...But thanks anyway...
The "oot" and the Maple Leaf on the T-shirt made that abundantly clear...eh?
@@JeffKopis just a couple of clues..lol
Amazing video guys! cant wait to see how this plays out. also the rogue chicken attack was priceless
Hahaha that dang thing has some issues haha
@@RustedRidesfender headers or side pipes see Baldwin and motion Chevrolet v8 n Vegas. On the net
A guy in my high school put an Oldsmobile 425 in a Vega. Lots of 350's were done over the years
This channel is so UNRATED !! Great content 🙌🙌
Thank you very much!!
Clickbait title... it's an Astre...
I think you have to use the short water pump and pulleys on this swap, if I'm not mistaken. There is a whole "V8 Vega kit" that you can buy with all the correct stuff for the swap
Hopefully we can still find a V8 Vega kit somewhere!
There are a lot of old hot rodders out there with old stuff like this just laying around. I'm one of them. Wish I had a way of getting it to you. @@RustedRides
Fellas, that small block Chevy will absolutely fit in there. Guys have been doing this for decades.
‘70s high school weekend projects. Get a 50 vega and cram a V8 in and go play!
Motion stuffed a 454 in a few.
We realize '75 & up easy swap as H-bodies made for V6/V8 1975 and after... early models set up for 4 banger only...
Your easiest route is probably to use the Trans-Dapt mount kit. this attaches the front of the engine to the frame, and includes a transmission crossmember. they are still available from a number of sources. I know I saw them on Speedway's website.
Loving these videos. Thx for taking the time to create them.
I did two Vega swaps in the early 80s. I used Don Hardy mounts. Probably long gone. Headman still makes a mount kit. The best exhaust manifolds I found were the center dump Rams Horn ones. The drivers side has to be the angled outlet. The short water pump set-up makes it easier to put a fan and rad in, but, I squeezed the long pump in one of them if I remember correctly. That 305 running properly will surprise you because as you said the car only weighs 1800 Lbs. Also, sadly any "spirited" driving with the 305 will break that rear axle.
They use a narrowed. S10 rear
@@gerry-p9x Narrowed S-10 axle is still too small. Only 7.5 ring gear.
The majority of us are not rich men and do things like you do. Awesome video agian.
Well, well, well.... you need to take the heater core out, silicone and pop rivet a piece of tin over the hose outlet area, turn the heater core to the 9 o'clock position, cut new holes in the heater core cover so you can use the heater core. An HEI distributor is too big around to be able to push the engine back far enough, so massaging the firewall with a BFH so the HEI has room is necessary. You need a short snout waterpump and a single fan belt pulley set to clear the radiator and the sway bar. A small rear sump oil pan is needed. I actually have plans for side mount motor mounts that bolt to the area on the inner fenderwells, curve forward, and then up to where the V8 motor mounts are on the side of the block.
I will try to send you a diagram of them.
Now, the factory through the firewall wiring harness will work on the V8. Starter wiring, water temp, oil pressure.
If it has a factory tachometer for a 4 cylinder, this won't work correctly, too many cylinders😐. If the front of the car sets too low to the ground, get some V8 or 6 cylinder front springs from a ....... a whatever, and cut them to 0ne coil shorter than the stock Vega/Astre front coils.
You can measure and figure out the size of radiator that you'll need, but make sure it's a 3 core or 4 core.
Exhaust manifolds that are rear dump, preferably straight down, or "Ramhorn" center dumps work.
A transmission mount is very simple to make. 1 inch to 1½ square tubing works well with angle iron on each end and in the middle for the rubber mount.
The driveshaft, you will need to get made or make one. You'd be the luckiest people ever if you can find one that fits at the right length.
If you can think of anything else, let me know. I used to have a ton of fun building some V8 Vega wagons, hatchbacks, and notchbacks....😮😊!
Thank you very much for all the information! And the motor mounts you mentioned sound like a great solution too!
This is correct, Hooker and Doug Thorley used to have kits with the mounts and headers, motor plate would be another way to go
Had a 73 Vega back in 83… 327 tunnel ram…4 speed. I used the Baldwin Motion kit with Hooker headers..short water pump… special pan.. the engine mounts bolt to the 2 lower (front) bolt hole and 1 water pump bolt.. the headers alone were over 6 hours to install
Good tip on the Easy-Off 👍
Hope it works well for you! It has for us so far
Of course you can fit it. I did that swap back in High School in the late 1970s using a then available kit from "Hooker Headers" nothing new here. Only problem was that Vegas were notorious rust buckets that would rust away just by looking at them! 🤣
Finally got a chance to watch, great video! Thanks guys!
We were stuffing small and big blocks in vegas back in ‘70s high school.
My 71 vega, years ago, had a single flat pulley, thinner harmonic balancer, homemade custom engine mounts and the front grill was cut out and reinforced to set the radiator back further. But the 283 fit nicely. By now, you guys have probably figured yours out too, good luck, outside of getting a complete kit that's offered today, it'll be fun fabricating your own.
I've done this swap with a 77 Monza and 350 corvette engine. The ONLY issue was swapping the V8 frame mounts from side to side witch moved the engine forward! My son drag raced this car with no problems!
Nice! Ya we now have a new oil pan for it and we have two options for mounts... We'll have a new video on this soon I hope!
Why move the engine forward?
One of the guys at work had a Vega, and his engine failed. So he got the bright idea to put a V8 in place of the 4 cyl engine.
Next time I saw him, he said he got the 8 cylinder engine in the vega BUT, he had to move almost everything and I believe he had to cut
the fire wall to get the engine to fit.
Good luck on this one.
Ya we have talked with a few people and each did things slightly differently. I think we have a plan!
See '75 & up easy swap as H-bodies made for V6/V8 1975 and after... early ones set up for narrow 4 banger with crappy suspension and weak semi-crossmember and HVAC stuff in the way...
Vega, back in the day we called them the "Baby Firebird"! They always had this potential ! get after it fellas! Entertaining AF boys !
Oven cleaner, brilliant! It even worked on my first wife's cooking.
For the manifolds, I used the 1977 Chevy Monza 292CI-V8 exhaust manifolds. They fit well. I needed, however, to make a slight indent with a grinder or lathe on the driver's side manifold to keep the engine from rocking into the steering shaft. There were no clearance issues with the correct positioning of the motor mounts connected to the frame and the steering box. Good luck and peace and assembly grease!
Thank you! For the tips and for commenting! We have a new oil pan to help clear the steering. But ya manifolds will be the next thing to find!
Sorry I don’t have any helpful advice on this on guys but, if nothing else, it shows you are keeping it real and showing the struggles on this kind of project. More importantly, you’ll be showing how to overcome them at some point. Good luck! Also - the 10K is getting closer. 👍🏻
Of course you can! My buddy dropped a 4 bolt main 350 in his, instant monster!
Years later I installed a corvette 327 in mine and it was extremely nasty!
Nothing wrong with the origional 4 cyl eithier, as long as it's cared for with qualify oil and filter changes on time, and you don't overheat it! I never had those problems because I do my maintenance before scheduled. I wanted more power so I dropped in a 327 with the 4 speed and a narrowed 12 bolt rear diff with 4:11 posi, super stock springs, ladder bars, and welded in subframe connectors. That's it!
You guys already know by now your going to need the trans-dapt vega v8 swap mounts by now, Y'all have fun - love that Pontiac
Envious of that weather. Trying to work outside in 95 degree fahrenheit sux! You guys got it made! I had a V8 Monza. Very fast.
Wow《☆》Good Luck Guy👍🍺🤳I was hoping to see a 340 Mopar going in😁The 305 will be fun tho✌️😎☯️
Yes it will fit My old College teacher had the same exact car and year and he has a Chevy ss big block stuffed inside it and it's an absolute monster on the road and track it's absolutely his pride and joy and he's an absolute savage behind the wheel of his car and it freaking halls ass for sure absolutely insane too watch him rip on it for sure lol
You may want to take a look at the 305 V8 Chevy Monza that was produced by GM right after the Vega was scrapped (1975-1979)...pretty close to the same chassis. There may be many factory parts from the V8 Monza that will help you convert that old beast to V8...including manifolds etc. (Check Rockauto for potential parts listing numbers and availability.)
I remember back in the day, the V8 Vega was a pretty common conversion since they were absolute hell on wheels at the dragstrip!
Anyway, good luck to you guys...love watching your content!
Thanks! That's a great idea! Monza manifolds are definitely something we can look into! Thanks for the help, and for watching!
You want the Monza coils for the front suspension, my buddy had a 300hp 350 and it went a long time before he blew the rear end and we weren't nice with them
Brand new from the dealer where I grew up guys instantly installed small block Chevy engine's in Vegas cause the bell housing for a small block bolted to the Muncie 4speed manual trans and the engine mounts worked like they should have. The only thing that needed changed out was the radiator to keep the engine cool
Like someone else mention transdapt still makes the kit to swap the sbc v8.
Make sure you change the chain, cam and lifters. I can't say it enough. Many of those blue sbc engines had soft cams. Comes with a new oil pan, where you'll find plastic teeth from the cam sprocket in your oil screen. Hang in there, you're doing a great job, and I'm not lying to you.
You went high dollar with the Easy Off oven cleaner. I use the Dollar store brand so I could buy more cans for my projects. I worked on these with factory V8 and motor swapped ones too. They used to sell V8 swap kits for the Vega/ Astra. Made for a fun ride!
Cool video, looks like you're having fun. A short water pump and SWP accessory brackets and pulleys will make your life easier.
The comment you made about not being rich and owning a lot of nice things, I think that aplies to many of us who watch you're videos and I have to say the improvising of that honda motor is pure geinus ( I hope I spelled the rite lol)
Yeah my buddie back in the late 70's had a Vega with a 327 in it, and a 2 speed slushbox behind it, we would drive it to PIR, Portland Intnl Raceway in Oregon and have a blast takin it down the dragstrip on Prostock days. Man that thing was fast!!!
Ah, the Chevy Astre/Pontiac Vega!
Or maybe"Opel Kadett" in Germany....
@@john-boywalton2954 Different car. At GM, these were H-bodies
There was also a Holden that looks soooo much like the Vega/Astre but can't find any info on if it's the same platform. I can't remember the name of the Holden car but it was brought to my attention by a commenter from a previous video
The early panel express with side windows blocked were epic
@@RustedRides yup, I was just joking with the na.e swap
My Vega was 355 4 speed, I used front suspension and reareand out of a Monza! BAMF out of the gates! Did that in the late 80's!
That would be nice! It's just as hard to find monzas these days! Thanks for the comment!
I saw one years ago with a 454 in it!!!! It was a sweet car!!!!
yo they did put 305' in monzas you need to get the parts for that the motor mounts exhaust manifolds a short water pump and pullies then it bolts right in and the trans mount as well. you have an awsome start i cant wait to hear it run and drive.
Great basic platform for the powerplant, smaller chamber heads, cam decent intake and carb setup it will a fun Vega
I'm 63 years old fellas, I've done that job on a 74 Vega gt and a 79 monza, it's not that hard , you just got to know what's you doing! My Vega was 327 4 speed q-jet carb, my monza was was 305 fi out of an 89 formula firebird, used v-8 monza kit it's a bolt in operation, to set the motor/trans in together you put a floor jack under each side raise it all the way, then sit the in with another floor jack under the trans and raise it up ! Boom it's done !
Before I saw your comment I said the same. I had an S10 that I could raise up a little, pick the engine up hanging trans down and set the tail on a floor jack and work both ends. The engine is easier to work on when it's out and the chassis is easier to work on when it is out so it's nice to be able to pluck your engine fast.
Its a bolt in with Monza parts
they could just buy a monza with one in it, or buy their logic the earlier 2something or other small block that came in them. poor poor vega. 10 bolt would have been good for 300 or so an a 100 shot seen it for myself.
V8 Monza parts
Monza Spider , ?
@@robertghorne8607 Any V8 monza. The cable, mounts, Brakes 🧐 Dig around. Hollanders Helps
The rear tires make this car. Love it.
Can't help on the V8 Vega so good luck. I am very interested to see how you have the JD tractor rigged with Honda and how you have the power lift set up. Also where did you find those hugh rear tires? I am a 1st time viewer that accidently found you. Takecare folks
Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad you found us. We've had a few people ask about the JD, we might have to do a video detailing how it's all put together!
did the swap in the 70s with a 283 bent the oil pan and fire wall with a sledge hammer made my own front engine mount bolted to the original 4 speed , fun car
I like how comments say it’s easy, like they knew first time and it was smooth.
Well realize '75 & up easy swap as H-bodies made for V6/V8 1975 and after...
An LS swap would have been a lot more challenging, but why do something easy? Cool car! I'm a Nova guy myself and yes, my '70 is LS swapped.🤠
We thought about going LS, but so many people who have had experience with the vega/Astre said 305 or 350 is a simple swap lol. Love the nova, would like to see it with the LS
Yeah, if my memory serves me, you'll need to slide the transmission back a few inches. Then massage the fire wall with a big hammer. The bolts are gonna be tight for the bell housing and the distributor should miss the fire wall about an inch. When you get it that far back you'll need to keep an eye on the steering linkage and the wall should move pretty easy about 3 inches in. After you can smooth things out with a little body filler and spray paint. A guy i use to know was a monza v8 guy and i remember this. I believe the Vega is a bit smaller in the nose. Definitely do the chain and cam because you'll have to pull the engine again if you want more power.
You need the v8 vega motor mount kit, as well as the correct oil pan for the vega frame, and you need to use specific v8 vega headers, or Rear exit manifolds. It’s not just drop in and go. Plus you’ll need a vega/monza v8 radiator as well
Some people put big blocks in those cars 🤔
👀Engine bay always looks big until you get the engine close to it😂.
Pressure wash the engine, and paint it with spray bombs. No masking tape, valve covers still bolted on.👍👍I subscribed. Bonus points for using an engine hoist on dirt.
My brother had an ashtray. A long forgotten name.
Did that get him off his butt??🙄😁😋🤭
The parts you need are Vega or monza specific. They take a special motor mount, oil pan, manifolds, and a short accessory drive on the front of the engine
I put a 350 Chevy in my 74 vaga no problem with a turbo 350 tubbed out for 9-inch rear end four points roll cage wheelie bars I drove it to the racetrack and erased it and drove it back home on pump gas drove it to work that thing was fun
I saw Vega, but see an Astre in the clip. we had a '71 in the Family years ago, & I did a Tour of the Lordstown facility in '74 with the Boy Scouts.
I have a 496 wagon caged tubbed four link trans brake and lots of NOS street legal. people actually turn around to come and take pictures of it. cool cars
I personally made a plate 3/16 to a 1/4 thick n bolted it to the front of the motor, they r3 bolts on each side of the front of the engine that's where the plate is bolted on, that plate will extend to the center of the chassis 1 L shaped piece of steel on each end of the plate that's where the engine will be bolted to the car with rubber bushings under the L shaped plates, did many of them on Vegas for racing, the idea came from the 50s truck motor mounts, hope I didn't confuse u but good luck trying my idea, try finding a old 50s truck n u will see how the mounts work on the engine n tranny
I wished that you guys would have used a dummy block and heads with the oil pan attached so that you can see your clearance problems, I modified my stock GM oil pan and had a friend weld it up for me I just looked at pictures of the Moroso V-8 Vega oil pan and made my own, you just need to cut out the middle of the pan so the steering linkage can pass under the pan , it's gonna take a little bit of work but it can be done 👍🏾
I have Sanderson shorty headers on my v8 Vega and they work great. You can also use Monza V8 exhaust manifolds too, if you can find a set.
Cool channel so far I like the content. I think there’s a complete V-8 Vega kit witch has oil pan motor mounts and headers. And I think you have to use a short water pump and front accessories
You need to use short water pump and pulleys mount the motor from the front two plates of the lower mounting holes that’s how 55 Chevy where mounted and you have to use old Chevy exhaust manifold or buy a set of headers for a v8 Vega good luck I have built 3 of those cars.
you need a v8 plate to bolt on the chasis and after you need v8 mount to bolt on the plate. you can find plate and mount on oem v8 monza. last thing you need Sanderson headers.
The fastest street car I've ever known was a 71 V8 swapped Vega.It was Pro Street before Pro Street was a thing.Legendary in its hometown Street scene and made an appearance on the streets of Bristol Tennesee.way back in the late 70s.
Hi guys. There are a couple of companies that make complete kits to install a SBC engine in a Vega. Custom engine mounts, headers, radiator and a transmission mount adaptor. The cost should be less than a thousand dollars American. In the old days, Chevy had several different configurations of exhaust manifolds that could be mixed and matched to work in the Vega chassis. That's much harder to do today. GM put a 305 in the H Body cars, from the factory, so a really good salvage yard should be able to figure out exactly which manifolds make that happen. You'll need the short water pump and the correct pullies, and it's helpful if you "massage the heater box for some clearance. There are hundreds of these things on the roads today, with salvage yard brake, suspension, and rear end upgrades. The Vega needs all of that help, AND MORE. The first time you find traction, the right rear lower control arm will fold up like an accordion, and the combination of crappy GM parts, and crappy GM suspension geometry is to blame. Read everything that you can before proceeding, or you'll just waste your time building a steaming POS. I've never watched your channel before, and it almost looks like your claim to fame is doing things half assed, so maybe a steaming POS is what you want? It's up to you.
Cute little cars ...old man had a baby blue one
You could just put a motor plate in the front of the engine to mount it. It makes a little less BS. I started doing that when putting V8s in vegas and monzas when i did this stuff in the day. There always still some screwing around getting things right when doing it but once you do it and figure out how stuff will fit and function it really is not that bad. It is all part of wrenching. You will get it.
We do have a plate, but are aiming for a smoother ride... Would the plate not cause more vibration? We have no problem fabricating something. The mounts we have are going to need some fabricating too.
Guys,
Why even think about putting a gas guzzler in that car, esp with the price of gas now? It had a 4 banger in it. I would find out if you can put in a small or a medium 6 piston into it. I would also ask your viewing audience what experiences they have with this. . .that's what we're here for. Save time and do your research first. This saves you time and effort and makes the job easier. I had a '76 4 sp. Vega and I personally installed a SCAT kit into it. BIG DIFFERENCE without removing a motor. Wow! I got all kinds of performance and saved time and effort. . all in a day's work. There are three parts to EVERY JOB. . the prep. . the job. . and the cleanup!
Summit sells a bolt up conversational kit. With radiator in front. Moter mount plates & trans . Short header block hugger type. All this can be made @ home. & electric fan.
The biggest engines that came in the75-79 Pontiac Ventura was the Chevy 5.7 CI or the Pontiac 5.8 354CI and if you can find the OEM 5SPD Borg & Warner T-50 Trans, these were pretty well loaded back in the 70s
Built a 1974 Vega used a 4.3L out of a V8 Monza 4sp built the motor using 305 ho heads decked the block 9x to gain compression only problem with the car was keeping a clutch in it used to spin the center out of the disk used Monza frame mounts and Monza motor mounts
They make mounts for it they are like the old Corvette mounts that bolt to the water pump. The drivers side manifold is an issue, but if you get the Monza manifolds they have a groove for the steering shaft
Did this in a 76 Vega. Look for a monza v8 oil pan motor mount and a universal joint on the steering. Electric fan that pushes air through the radiator from the front. Ram horn exhaust manifolds (driver side)
Love the hbody cars mine has come a long way just put 750 holley on it have to hook it up yet
Nice! The 750 is a very nice performing carb!
40 years ago built half dozen
These cars real fun it needs hammer therapy to trans tunnel for starts
Not cheap, but looks like for the most part its got everything you need, Trans Dapt makes a kit including headers, a modified oil pan & what looks like a trans crossmember for about $1500 or just look it up, find a reference for scale point, buy some steel, & weld 'er up! 😁
New to your channel...we did a 283 swap back in 81. It would do a burn out from he doulbe hockey sticks
Lol Built a bunch of these back in the 80's, answer is, yes it will fit lol
Nice! Still have any? Ya we just thought we'd get lucky and wouldn't have to swap out the water pump and all that on the accessories side of the engine. Hopefully next video!
Close to my home town, was a Vega with a 454 and a blower.
It'll fit
Don Hardy Race cars used to sell chassis mounts to install. Makes it an easy task
Never saw a guy in a white t-shirt put a engine in and not even get it dirty lmao😅
But nice job
Haha, hands got real dirty, but ya maybe I wasn't doing as much
Need to turn heater core around. firewall massaging for distributer . had a 283 bored to 301 in it. Made plates for motor mounts pretty easy really. Headers were a pain ,power glide trans. Gene
Pick the engine up forward of center so it hangs tranny down at an angle and then lift the front of the vehicle and slip it in. I put a floor jack under the tail housing to catch and raise the transmission as it goes in.
Thanks! We also have a new oil pan that will clear the steering. Next attempt should go better!
@@RustedRides You need bigger meats for the rear but first things first
I had a Chevy Monza wagon (same front end) and it had a Buick V8 in it.
Nice! Strong engine!
First you need to remove the heater core and flip it around(it will move the tubes further away from the engine), just redrill 2 new holes using a hole saw and use the pieces you drilled out to weld over the old holes.
Second you will need to slightly clearance the trans tunnel, not to much just enough to get the bolts in the transmission.
Third you will need a short water pump and pulleys,(Monza V8 swap parts would be best but they are extremely hard to get now a days) but you can go with 70's era Corvettte stuff.
Fourth engine mounts, again V8 Monza would be the way to go but they are hard to find so, You can get a set of mounts and headers from Headman, also Sanderson makes nice headers(Me personally would go with the Headman engine mounts and Sanderson Headers, as the Headman headers go into the wheel well).
Fifth the oil pan just buy a Moroso oil pan for the Vega, the work great.
Sixth The original fuel pump is in the tank if it works use it if not put a electric remote fuel pump back at the tank, and ditch the one on the engine and put a block off plate on.
Seventh Go with a aftermarket Radiator, I would go to a place that will custom make a aluminum one for you, But be aware there are a lot of Radiators out there that say they will fit but they will not and you will be throwing money away.(So after the engine is in measure what you want and get one made).
Don;t worry about the rear end, the Astre you have has the 7.5 rear end and it will handle up to 300 HP, unless you are doing burnouts every 10 secs.
I built around 50 V8 Vegas and Monza's in my youth, with some friends and we would sell them, I could V8 swap a Vega or Monza in a day. They are a blast to drive.
If you are looking for insight into the swap or parts check, v8monza.com
What a great looking car 👍👍
Somebody probably has said monza parts .i owned a factory built monza town coupe 1975 with the 4.3 V8 262 same as a 350 so there shouldnt be issues if you use the monza stock parts ,my monza got the 262 yanked out for a 350 using the orig pan and mounts it was a beast with a saginaw 4speed but anytime you hammered throttle she was breaking traction even at 70 80 it would light them dunlop gts like hell fire best o luck man
"Can We Fit a V8 in our Classic Compact"
[Laughs in watching my neighbor do this in 1979]