ABSOLUTELY Absolutely!!! and apparantly so are others around the country. I have gotten a few replys so far. One guy even has a stage 2 in a 76 I believe. The swap is not yet main stream but attention is growing. From the info I have so far, the swap is not too difficult.
I installed a stage 2 455 in my Apollo a few years back. Fits nice in the x-body sub-frame. The only problem was the location of the steering box. I had a custom header made for the left side. On the right side, a skylark header fit fine. I did not check to see if stock heads and manifolds would work in that frame, but I have heard that it does, its just real close to the steering box. If there is anyway else I can help out, let me know.
Questions A couple of questions, ProStreetApollo, What did you use for frame pads and engine mounts? Was it a bolt in swap? Any idea which steering boxes fit? I want to go from PS to manual steering. Do you know if I would have to change the pitman arm or any other parts? What did you use for frame connectors and traction enhancing devices? OK, I know this is more than a couple of questions but only a few people seem to have accomplished this swap. Thanks in advance for your help. And if you could post or email me some pictures, I would appreciate it.:grin:
There are alot of pictures at buickapollo.com. I used skylark frame pads and motor mounts. I had to weld a small piece of channel iron on the back side of the cross-member for each frame pad to mount to. The mounts ended up being only about half way on the cross-member, the other half was hanging off the back. Another tight spot was the smaller front cross-member and the crank pulley. I could not move the engine any further forward, or the pulley would have been sitting on the cross member. I put a manual steering box off of a Nova on my Apollo. The pitman arm and steering column coupler are different from a P\S box and manual. I went with a four link and coil over suspension.
WOW! A four link and coil overs............no wonder its ProStreetApollo. Thanks for the site. I think I might have seen it there. I just realized that you are dealing with a 3rd generation frame and I hear that the mounting is a little easier in the 4th generation frame (I hope so). I have heard that the frame pads needed a 1/2 inch spacer but I believe that I heard that the issue was with fan centering in the shroud. Thanks for the info and I'll make sure to check out the site. That must be one ground pounding Apollo!! Any strip times?:TU:
MAN! what a beautiful example of a very professional looking car! That rear suspension with those huge meats is real eye candy. Would you happen to remember the rear end width? Is that a 6 point bar? Guys, anyone looking to do this conversion needs to look at the pictures of this car.
Here is the link: www.buickapollo.com I like the saying at the bottom of the page - "This site best viewed with a computer and a monitor"!!:laugh:
The rear end width is 42 inches from axle to axle. The tires are 31 x 18.50 and yes, it is a six point cage. I did not have to use any type of spacer under the engine mounts. I did have to put spacers under the trans cross member because the header flanges were hitting it. I then made my own trans mount to compensate for the difference.
Thanks for the info. Thought I might be able to afford that look and performance level 'til I priced the work. Oh well, maybe next year..........or year after!
