Hello everyone. This is my first post. A little while back I was driving down the road and saw a 71 monte for sale. At the time I wasn't sure exactly what it was but I know I wanted to buy it. That being said right now it has a 350 engine and a 350 turbo trans. I understand that there was an SS model that came with a 454 stock. I was wondering how hard it would be to take out my 350 and put in a big block. Would I have to redo the whole rear end? Would the 350 turbo trans hold up? I don't plan to drag race it or anything but for how heavy this car is the 350 doesn't move it quick enough. (in my opinion). A buddy at work said he could drop a 400 in fairly easily. I am looking for options to up the HP and low end torque. Thanks everyone!

 

the 454 big block will drop in with little or no modifications as for the th350 it should hold up to the power of it (i have a 400sbc with around 500hp/500tq and my th350 is holding up to it but it is build for power ) and as for the read end it is a 12 bolt the strongest one that chevy ever made so no trouble there !
what i would do is a rebuilt 454bbc a th400 trans and at lease 3.42 gears but that is me
or do the 400 rebuilt with the th350 trans and at leas 3.42 gears

 

thanks for the information. I know so little about cars it is rediculous. Thats why I bought this one. I have a few people willing to teach me how to work on them so I wanted a nice old American Muscle car to learn. Looks like I am in for some fun!

 

the org.SS was most of the time a 454 witha 4 speed behind it. At least the one i had was this way and seemed to be the only thing i could ever find info on had the 4 dpeed as the SS model.

But honestly my Ex. had a 327 vett motor and a 350 that was actually pretty stock tranny and it ran hard. and belive me at that time in life we ran it real hard some nights to have some fun racing and it never broke due to tranny failure.

we did how ever tear out some u joints a coupel times.

So i would not fear a 350 tranny. and if ya build it with a shfit kit and some heavy duty bands and clutches it wil hold up great for ya