| 1994 Beretta RWD Conversion |
December 2005/January 2006 - The Beginning
Where do I even start with this mess? As I mentioned on the main page for my Beretta has sat since 2003 because the trans went bad.
It was also starting to have other issues as well. The 3100 was/is losing coolant somewhere, I'm pretty sure it either has a bad gasket,
either for a head or the lower intake. On top of that the AC compressor had also gone bad back in either the winter of '02 or spring of '03,
I can't remember which, that's been a long time ago. So anyway, I began toying with ideas of just what I wanted to do with this thing. I
had thought about selling it, but I am rather fond of the Beretta as a platform, and my heart is kind of attached to it since it was the first car
I ever bought. Another thing going for it is the fact that it's still in pretty good condition aside from the problems listed above. There are a
few paint spots and such, but no major rust problems or other mechanical issues. So after some consideration I thought I'd just let it sit
until I had figured out what I was going to do; it wasn't costing me any money to keep it stored while I was up here anyway.
I had toyed with the idea of doing a custom 3100 buildup or a 3400 swap for quite some time, but since that's becoming more and more
commonplace I thought I'd try something different. I also really happen to despise working with wiring and electronically controlled
engines in general... that's when the idea of a full RWD conversion began coming to mind; this was probably back in 2004 or 2005
somewhere. Opportunity struck last summer (2005), when William pulled a 4 bolt 350 out of his K5 Blazer and dropped a SB 400 into it.
I wound up buying the 350 from him and tentative plans began forming in my head. The plan is a unibody RWD conversion; putting in a
new front subframe and basically doing as little modification to the body of the vehicle as possible, avoiding tube frames and such in
order to keep the appearance as stock as possible. The opportunity for other relatively inexpensive parts began to pop up, such as a GM
10 bolt rear end, and a t-350 3 speed trans, and it was off to the races... figuratively of course.
My current standing right now is just having most of the interior stripped out. I don't want to pull the FWD driveline yet since I'll need to
move the car sometime this year and I don't have the money for a lot of the parts I need. I'll do more stripping over Spring Break this year
(2006), but the parts aren't gonna start coming together until...
A. I have got a solid job tacked down for sure, making it possible for me to get a handle on my bills.
B. I've finished my Samurai engine build; it's a lot easier to tackle one project at a time than it is to juggle two at once.
That's where I stand currently, I'll update this page as I do more work. For now here are a couple of pictures that I took over semester
break.
Where do I even start with this mess? As I mentioned on the main page for my Beretta has sat since 2003 because the trans went bad.
It was also starting to have other issues as well. The 3100 was/is losing coolant somewhere, I'm pretty sure it either has a bad gasket,
either for a head or the lower intake. On top of that the AC compressor had also gone bad back in either the winter of '02 or spring of '03,
I can't remember which, that's been a long time ago. So anyway, I began toying with ideas of just what I wanted to do with this thing. I
had thought about selling it, but I am rather fond of the Beretta as a platform, and my heart is kind of attached to it since it was the first car
I ever bought. Another thing going for it is the fact that it's still in pretty good condition aside from the problems listed above. There are a
few paint spots and such, but no major rust problems or other mechanical issues. So after some consideration I thought I'd just let it sit
until I had figured out what I was going to do; it wasn't costing me any money to keep it stored while I was up here anyway.
I had toyed with the idea of doing a custom 3100 buildup or a 3400 swap for quite some time, but since that's becoming more and more
commonplace I thought I'd try something different. I also really happen to despise working with wiring and electronically controlled
engines in general... that's when the idea of a full RWD conversion began coming to mind; this was probably back in 2004 or 2005
somewhere. Opportunity struck last summer (2005), when William pulled a 4 bolt 350 out of his K5 Blazer and dropped a SB 400 into it.
I wound up buying the 350 from him and tentative plans began forming in my head. The plan is a unibody RWD conversion; putting in a
new front subframe and basically doing as little modification to the body of the vehicle as possible, avoiding tube frames and such in
order to keep the appearance as stock as possible. The opportunity for other relatively inexpensive parts began to pop up, such as a GM
10 bolt rear end, and a t-350 3 speed trans, and it was off to the races... figuratively of course.
My current standing right now is just having most of the interior stripped out. I don't want to pull the FWD driveline yet since I'll need to
move the car sometime this year and I don't have the money for a lot of the parts I need. I'll do more stripping over Spring Break this year
(2006), but the parts aren't gonna start coming together until...
A. I have got a solid job tacked down for sure, making it possible for me to get a handle on my bills.
B. I've finished my Samurai engine build; it's a lot easier to tackle one project at a time than it is to juggle two at once.
That's where I stand currently, I'll update this page as I do more work. For now here are a couple of pictures that I took over semester
break.
The 350 I'm going to use
Just getting started on the gutting, it's way past this point now.
April 2006 - Solidified Plans and Parts List
Well since I actually got a start on things over Semester Break with the car, I figured it was time that I started figuring out exactly what I
was going to do so I could begin compiling the parts that I need to build this monstrosity once I'm graduated and making some money
come May. Over the course of the last couple of months I have things pretty well solidified on how I'm going to do this and as it stands I
have about 80% of the parts I need listed out; I'll begin buying them a few at a time as I'm finishing prep on the car, and then start doing
what I can as I get the parts.
I'll start with the engine, since it's going to be the heart of the project, but it'll actually be one of, if not the last thing I finish on the car. I had
originally thought of building this thing really hot for a street/strip car, but I decided to tone it down a bit so it'd be more driveable and put
less stress on everything too. With all the money I'm gonna be dumping into this thing I don't want to be having to fix or replace parts
every other time I take it out. So I decided to go with a much milder build than I had originally planned... it'll still have somewhere in the
realm of 340hp according to DesktopDyno, but I'm gonna be conservative and say 310 so if it's a bit low I won't be disappointed.
Engine - 357c.i. Small Block Chevy
-Federal Mogul Rebuild Kit
- .040 overbore Hypereutectic aluminum flat top pistons (9.73:1 cr @ 64cc chamber size)
- standard crank and rod bearings (since it's getting a new crank and set of rods)
- high volume oil pump
- all new seals, gaskets, and freeze plugs
- Eagle Cast Steel Crankshaft
- internal balancer
- 2 piece main seal
- GM Performance Rods
- Press fit wrist pins
- 3/8" bolts
- rated for 500hp & 6500rpm
- Comp Cams Magnum Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cam
- 286/286 advertised duration
- .490/.490 lift
- 110 degree lobe separation
- 2200-6200 rpm optimal operating range
- Comp Cams Magnum Hydraulic Lifters
- standard .842 inch
- Comp Cams Double Roller Timing Chain/Sprocket Kit
- heat treated high density steel alloy
- 4 degree advance/retard option
- Summit Performance Pre-1972 design Cast Iron Heads
- 67cc combustion chamber
- 165cc intake runner 55cc exhaust runner
- 2.020 intake / 1.600 exhaust valves
- rated for .520 maximum lift
- Edelbrock Performer RPM Dual Plane Intake Manifold
- non-EGR
- fits square or spread bore carbs
- HEI ready
- flat aluminum finish
- Edelbrock Performer 600cfm 4bbl carburator
- square bore
- manual choke
- single fuel inlet
- Mallory HEI Series 85 Distributor
- vacuum advance
- iron gear / aluminum housing
- high performance coil included
- Mallory Rev Limiter
- electric shutoff
- non-ignition box model
- single knob adjustment for RPM cutoff selection
- Summit Block Hugger Headers
- ceramic coated
- 1 5/8" primaries into 2.5" collectors
- Flowmaster Delta Force Single Chamber Mufflers (X2)
- 2.5" inlet/outlet Center/Center
- 3X8X5.5" body
- 9.5" overall length
Transmission GM TH-350
- TCI Street Fighter Series TH-350 Automatic Transmission
- non overdrive 3 speed
- standard 2.52 1st gear
- TCI Sizzler Torque Convertor
- 12 inch standard bolt pattern
- Balanced, non-brazed
- 1700rpm advertised stall, 1500-1600 stall on SB application
- Hurst V-Matic 2 Shifter
- reverse lockout T shifter
- cable linkage
- soft boot floor covering
GM 10 Bolt Rear Axle (series 3 / 8.5")
-unknown brand limited slip carrier (was already in the rear end)
- Richmond Gear 3.42 ring and pinion
Assorted Odds and Ends
- Smith Performance Front Subframe
- Summit 8 gallon fuel cell / drag application
- Proform 35gpm electric water pump (5 amp draw, blue painted)
- FlexALite Transmission Cooler (7X15X3/4")
- Carter Super Street Mechanical Fuel Pump (1/4" inlet/outlet single line, 120gph @ 5.5psi)
So, as you see I've got most of the parts I need sketched out; there's still some stuff I haven't picked because I need to take
measurements and such once the car is completely stripped down. As it stands it looks like I'll be spending between 6500 and 7000 on
parts, so this is not going to be a quick moving project.
Next update probably won't be for a while, at least until I get the car stripped out and start getting some of the stuff I need purchased.
Well since I actually got a start on things over Semester Break with the car, I figured it was time that I started figuring out exactly what I
was going to do so I could begin compiling the parts that I need to build this monstrosity once I'm graduated and making some money
come May. Over the course of the last couple of months I have things pretty well solidified on how I'm going to do this and as it stands I
have about 80% of the parts I need listed out; I'll begin buying them a few at a time as I'm finishing prep on the car, and then start doing
what I can as I get the parts.
I'll start with the engine, since it's going to be the heart of the project, but it'll actually be one of, if not the last thing I finish on the car. I had
originally thought of building this thing really hot for a street/strip car, but I decided to tone it down a bit so it'd be more driveable and put
less stress on everything too. With all the money I'm gonna be dumping into this thing I don't want to be having to fix or replace parts
every other time I take it out. So I decided to go with a much milder build than I had originally planned... it'll still have somewhere in the
realm of 340hp according to DesktopDyno, but I'm gonna be conservative and say 310 so if it's a bit low I won't be disappointed.
Engine - 357c.i. Small Block Chevy
-Federal Mogul Rebuild Kit
- .040 overbore Hypereutectic aluminum flat top pistons (9.73:1 cr @ 64cc chamber size)
- standard crank and rod bearings (since it's getting a new crank and set of rods)
- high volume oil pump
- all new seals, gaskets, and freeze plugs
- Eagle Cast Steel Crankshaft
- internal balancer
- 2 piece main seal
- GM Performance Rods
- Press fit wrist pins
- 3/8" bolts
- rated for 500hp & 6500rpm
- Comp Cams Magnum Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cam
- 286/286 advertised duration
- .490/.490 lift
- 110 degree lobe separation
- 2200-6200 rpm optimal operating range
- Comp Cams Magnum Hydraulic Lifters
- standard .842 inch
- Comp Cams Double Roller Timing Chain/Sprocket Kit
- heat treated high density steel alloy
- 4 degree advance/retard option
- Summit Performance Pre-1972 design Cast Iron Heads
- 67cc combustion chamber
- 165cc intake runner 55cc exhaust runner
- 2.020 intake / 1.600 exhaust valves
- rated for .520 maximum lift
- Edelbrock Performer RPM Dual Plane Intake Manifold
- non-EGR
- fits square or spread bore carbs
- HEI ready
- flat aluminum finish
- Edelbrock Performer 600cfm 4bbl carburator
- square bore
- manual choke
- single fuel inlet
- Mallory HEI Series 85 Distributor
- vacuum advance
- iron gear / aluminum housing
- high performance coil included
- Mallory Rev Limiter
- electric shutoff
- non-ignition box model
- single knob adjustment for RPM cutoff selection
- Summit Block Hugger Headers
- ceramic coated
- 1 5/8" primaries into 2.5" collectors
- Flowmaster Delta Force Single Chamber Mufflers (X2)
- 2.5" inlet/outlet Center/Center
- 3X8X5.5" body
- 9.5" overall length
Transmission GM TH-350
- TCI Street Fighter Series TH-350 Automatic Transmission
- non overdrive 3 speed
- standard 2.52 1st gear
- TCI Sizzler Torque Convertor
- 12 inch standard bolt pattern
- Balanced, non-brazed
- 1700rpm advertised stall, 1500-1600 stall on SB application
- Hurst V-Matic 2 Shifter
- reverse lockout T shifter
- cable linkage
- soft boot floor covering
GM 10 Bolt Rear Axle (series 3 / 8.5")
-unknown brand limited slip carrier (was already in the rear end)
- Richmond Gear 3.42 ring and pinion
Assorted Odds and Ends
- Smith Performance Front Subframe
- Summit 8 gallon fuel cell / drag application
- Proform 35gpm electric water pump (5 amp draw, blue painted)
- FlexALite Transmission Cooler (7X15X3/4")
- Carter Super Street Mechanical Fuel Pump (1/4" inlet/outlet single line, 120gph @ 5.5psi)
So, as you see I've got most of the parts I need sketched out; there's still some stuff I haven't picked because I need to take
measurements and such once the car is completely stripped down. As it stands it looks like I'll be spending between 6500 and 7000 on
parts, so this is not going to be a quick moving project.
Next update probably won't be for a while, at least until I get the car stripped out and start getting some of the stuff I need purchased.
June 2006 - Interior stripping finished and block stripdown
I got more of the car stripped out, pretty much all I have to do now is get the old FWD driveline out and I'll be ready to start fitting the new
RWD driveline. I also got the 350 stripped down to the bare block, and found that it was a 2 bolt main, not a 4 bolt like I thought.
350 Teardown Pictures and Video Page
I got more of the car stripped out, pretty much all I have to do now is get the old FWD driveline out and I'll be ready to start fitting the new
RWD driveline. I also got the 350 stripped down to the bare block, and found that it was a 2 bolt main, not a 4 bolt like I thought.
350 Teardown Pictures and Video Page
Bare 350 block, pictures on the linked page above