i have a 1986 trans am 305 tpi with 102k miles and want a turbo badly. wonder what this would cost if i went the cheap rout. like what has to be done to the existing motor. its bone stock. would the motor blow up if i turboed it. how much boost can these 305s handle at 102k miles. would it pass pa emissons. and what power can i safely make. thanks guys.

A search would be useful to answer your questions.

I think that your 305 is a perfect candidate for a turbo for a few reasons:

1. It is a TPI car. You don't have to spend a lot on a decent EFI manifold.
2. It has 102k miles on it. The ring gap is wore enough to make it perfect for boost.
3. The TPI and the hot parts and everything will work with an upgraded shortblock; you aren't out much if it does blow up.

I would spend the extra buck and use different electronic system like Megasquirt if you want to upgrade eventually.

Research on the compression and see how much boost you can run.

I think that you could do it up nice for $1500 with Megasquirt and hot parts and fuel mods.

I completely agreed with you and is a good idea to chance the fuel filter,fuel pump and clean the injectors or upgrade to some 24s lbs.

To get turbos past emissions is challenging. Squires Turbo Systems, a few miles south of me, does it by putting the turbo in place of the muffler, that way it's after the cat. Also saves alot of underhood space, no need for custom turbo headers. Just run the stock exhaust from the heads to the muffler/turbo, because the turbo itself is more restrictive than everything between it and the heads. For LT1 cars they use a T60-1 with a pretty small a/r on the turbine side.