Jim Dirt has two "what fits" questions :)

[Drink]

Got two questions regarding fitment: tires and engine.
First up, tires. I'm looking for some fat tires for the rear of my third
gen TransAm. I'm not looking for custom narrowed axles and tubbed
fenderwells so I can build a six foot wall of black rubber with a two inch
gap in the middle (though that seems kinda cool at the moment:). Just want
some oversized meat to help me hook better and look better. Any experiences
on what's the max before scrubbing are appreciated. I'm willing to lift up
the suspension a little since that'll help the suspension geometry.
Next, I've heard some conflicting info on whether I can fit a big block
into the 3rd gen F-body. Some say, "It'll fit but you'll need to do a
little custom work with mounts" while others say that I'll have to pound in
the firewall with a sledge. I've seen engine swap headers for a big block
into this chassis but is it just too much headache to try?
Caveat: I bought the chassis for $500 and it's not intended to be a show
car. It's "Dad's toy hotrod" and sports primer black paint and an air
intake popping out of a foot wide hole in the hood til I get a scoop. Heck,
I've toyed with calling this spade a spade and getting a vanity plate with a
"Joe Dirt" theme:)
Thanks for the advice,
Jim "Dirt"

[The Reverend Natural Light]

Post by Drink
Next, I've heard some conflicting info on whether I can fit a big block
into the 3rd gen F-body. Some say, "It'll fit but you'll need to do a
little custom work with mounts" while others say that I'll have to pound in
the firewall with a sledge. I've seen engine swap headers for a big block
into this chassis but is it just too much headache to try?

I've heard of big block Chevy conversions but never seen one. A
magazine managed to stuff one into a 4th gen, which is even more
impressive.

I do know for a fact that a Pontiac 455 will fit with no firewall
modifications. Use the late model Pontiac mount brackets and it'll
sit right down on the stock Chevy mounts. Stock iron manifolds from a
2nd gen Firebird will work and a TH400 will fit behind it with a B&M
torque arm mount adapter.

If you can get the engine for a decent price, it should be a super low
buck swap.