masonta

Hello, just blew the 305 in my 87 firebird. Going to swap in a 350, but I'm not quite sure that the engine I'm looking at will work with a TPI setup. I haven't seen any thread like this, so I'm hoping that I'm not reposting anything, but here goes: I'm thinking of getting a either this engine http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na.../applications/
or this one http://paceperformance.com/i-6237688...no-intake.html
I know the only difference between the two is the cam, but I'm not too picky. The thing that worries me is that under the applications tab is says its for a carburetor intake. Will a TPI work just fine with any of these? Thanks, and sorry in advance

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

Here's my best Sofa Kingdom impression: "It's a cheap 76cc smogger head, low compression, low performance 70s crappy design that should be thrown in the trash."

Although it is a step up in price, for a Chevy crate, either L31/Vortec head long block (12530282 or 12530283) will get you 1-piece rear main seal, roller cam, 64cc FAR better head design.
Only drawback is needing a Vortec compatible intake manifold...$400-$500 if you want to keep the TPI. Or you can go Stealth Ram, or use a carb style manifold but keep it fuel injection.

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

Whoa. At first I thought you were Sofa....

Including that.....it's very good advice.

masonta

Would a one piece rear main work with my flex plate? The 305 I blew had a two piece. I'm also on a pretty tight budget, really trying to get something that will just bolt on to my intake and trannie for hopefully under 2000

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

You'll want to double check the angle on the intake gasket surface on those heads. If they are true repros of the 882 castings, then the angle is wrong for your TPI intake. It can be made to work with a little dremel work, but usually will cause leaks(coolant and/or vacuum).

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

The L31 does not come with a flexplate. Buying a used 1-piece RMS flex plate shouldn't be to expensive, nor hard to find.

masonta

I was planning on using the old one from my 305. Are they interchangeable between two piece rear mains and one piece?

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

Nope. The 1-peice RMS is a large seal, but a smaller bolt circle than the 2-peice.

If you can get past the "internal vs external" argument, this thread has useful pictures.
here
here
and here

masonta

Would both bolt up to the torque converter all the same?

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

Yes

masonta

I'm really just looking for a cheap engine (between 1500 and 2000) that can get me from point A to point B that will just bolt on to my current intake and flywheel with a little bit of kick along the way. Something around the 250-300hp mark. any other ideas/ suggestions?

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

The crates you had listed are a downgrade from your current LB9. Horsepower is never cheap. 250-300 HP will be strangled if you still have factory exhaust. Good exhaust is already half your budget. A good crate that can produce the HP your looking for will break the budget alone. Plus you'll need injectors and a properly mapped PROM to support more cubes. A vortec crate is the best bang for buck even with the manifold dilemma.


Almost within budget and heads towards your goal, you could rebuild the 305 (sorry guys, I did suggest spending money on a 305), change camshafts while your at it. Most everything can remain the same and you'll have a healthy engine. Most good machine shops that'll be around the $2000-$2500 mark. If you open your budget do exhaust too. OR buy a good L98 and do the exact same thing. It's just going to cost more for odds and ends.

Fred SS

iTrader: (3)

Please do not get that engine. That is the motor I have in my Monte Carlo SS with a TPI swap. I paid $1400 dollars from Summit a few years ago. It is a low compression motor. I changed the heads and cam, but the low compression pistons kill any hopes of more power. Your best bang for the buck is the L31, but you will have to get a vortec TPI intake. Summit currently has the L31 for about $2039. If I had know more, I would have bought the L31 and changed the cam. If you still decide to get the 10067353 motor, the heads will not fit your intake. The 10067353 motor has heads with the earlier style intake bolt angle on the four center bolt holes. You could elongate the bolt holes to make it work. Get the L31.

masonta

OK, thanks so much for the awesome feedback. Sorry for the late response, life gets in the way. Anyhow, I found an engine shop that can do the build for me and I have a lot of close friends that swear by the place. Really glad I checked here first, sure saved me a lot of headache