Can We Fit a V8 in our Classic Compact - Chevy Vega

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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!

We have another project coming out next week so keep an eye out for that!

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[bbl]

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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[DavidBarlow-dwvv]

I did this at 16 years old. It was definitly a learning experience.

[davezul]

We were stuffing small and big blocks in vegas back in ‘70s high school.

[baconator_c]

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.

[hawk]

Fellas, that small block Chevy will absolutely fit in there. Guys have been doing this for decades.

[HavokR]

the best part of this show is whenever they recommend a product, I know I can find it at crappy tire

[DarrenFinley]

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.😎👍

[chriswylie]

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.

[Sam-kolo]

Yep this really brings back memories. I built 2 V8 Vega hatch backs. One a 283 sb and a 454 bb. Both took a giant shoe horn to get the engines in. Lotsa custom parts and lotsa cuss words but I finally did it. What a fun and scary ride. Traded it for a 69 firebird with a 396 bb, Muncie 4 speed and a narrow 12 bolt rear end.

[clintwalker]

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.

[homotorsports]

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

[bradnichols]

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.

[ronherriott]

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

[DTD_Zombie_Hunter]

Your channel was suggested to me by YouTube, 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

[rubinbrown]

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😊

[Cam-lvcl]

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

[danreeves]

Doing a V8 Vega right now. Aftermarket side mounts are hard to find. You can still buy new motor mounts that bolt on front of engine made by transdapt. If you can find Monza V8 parts you’ll be good. You need frame and motor mounts and exhaust manifolds. If your engine has driver side dipstick, you can use Monza pan. If not there are several after market pans for whatever dipstick ick you have. Look up Bob Gumm. He has more info than you can shak a stick at.

[rogerplante-ck]

For my 77 astre with a 400 sbc, i used monza v8 mount plates and manifolds. Also a short water pump and single belt pulleys and alternator bracket from mid sixties chevy with a flex fan and no spacer. Cleared the rad by about an inch. Reworked the rad support slightly to fit a nova rad. Also needed the tailstock from the vega trans for the diff's torque arm. Tailstock bolted right up to shorty th350.

[outdoorsmansgarage]

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

[markadymark]

The majority of us are not rich men and do things like you do. Awesome video agian.