Talk to me about V8 FB's...

[P71]

No, not my red one (which is being put back together as we speak). I found a hardtop manual-everything S model FB for dirt cheap (blown motor) and ideas starting brewing...

I have an AMC 401 V8 and a T-5 with the AMC bellhousing and input shaft here. Also a T-5 driveshaft and a 150-shot nitrous kit. :reddevil:

I'm thinking buy the S, drop in the 401/5-Speed, swap out the rear end and front brakes (5-lug drag stuff), and go for a wheel-standing drag car. :willy_nilly:

I'd still have my 12A'd GSL so :fawk:


Sooooo, what's it like? OK to swap? OK to work on? What kind of issues did you run into? HOW FAST ARE THEY? :Angel_anim:


For the record, the 401 should be 500HP/600TQ before the nitrous...

[josh18_2k]

all i can say is plan on swapping in a ford rearend..
thats a buttload of power!

i guess call grannies and ask them everything. i doubt you'll find anyone over here thats done it.

[Whizbang]

i know 1:4 power to weight ratios sound great, but can you even USE that much power without having spend X amount of dollars? Probably not.

[josh18_2k]

mike doesnt care. he can barely 'use' the power in his cop car lol
(i saw those trails of smoke from your tires after every turn...)

[P71]

I use all sorts of power! Most of it never hits the ground :rofl:

I'm an old-school drag racer and have driven lots of slick-equipped very quick drag cars. I've always wanted one of my own, and I have the engine, I just need a platform.

And Josh will see just how much 105BHP hurts this weekend, I'm gonna whip up on him! (PLEASE be a tight course, PLEASE!!!!) :D

[aussiesmg]

Are you only going to drag race her or do you want to track her as well?

[NoDOHC]

The solid rear axle should be your friend (not the stock axle, just the configuration).
I have seen v8s in FBs before (they fit ok) but I am not familiar with AMC engines.

[reaper]

give grannysspeedshop.com a try. thats who i'm going through for my sbf conversion

[RotorDad]

Interesting never seen anyone do a AMC 401, love to see the end result. Good luck with the project. A Ford 9" has many gearing options & is damn strong, the 8.8" are good rears as well.

[Rogue_Wulff]

Almost hate to admit it, but I've been contemplating doing a SBF swap in my SE chassis. I've even gone to the extent of reading of reading thru the granny's website. Seems pretty straight forward. Even their 8.8 Ford rearend in it's basic form would be a simple swap, since it's designed to use SE rear brakes.
Since I have a total of 3 1st gens, having one converted to a SBF wouldn't be out of line, much......


Now if I could just convince myself of that last bit.

[reaper]

of coarse it wouldn't be out of line!
do it. document it. post it. provide more knowledge for those who are wanting the same thing.

its like doing a favore for the 7 community :)

[Whizbang]

im tinkering with the idea for a daily driver...

[Garfinkles Motor Works]

I built a 401 roller motor for a customer and put it in his cj5 jeep .It was strong running but large in size,heavy. I would want a light weight high rpm v8 in my FB .I am slowly putting a FD twin turbo in a gslse now .I will sell it at any stage if someone wants to finish it . I understand you need to use the motor you have for the swap.Be sure the motor will fit before getting to far along .If it works out the torque will be great fun .