Berlinetta

not entirely third gen related, but is TBI related. My step-dad uses a 91 Chevy 3/4 ton w/ 350 TBI engine for a mobile tool box. This thing has to have at least 1000 lbs of crap in the back. On top of all the weight in the boxes and bed of the truck, he has to tow construction equipment, or my broken down cars, a lot. As of 2003 he had put 310,000 miles on the engine and and 200,000 on the tranny. He finally replaced the engine last year, not that it wasn't running, it just wasn't running as strong as it used to, it burned a little oil, and leaked A LOT. Since his company was paying for it, he had the motor replaced. BTW, the tranny still shifts real strong. He did nothing special to the engine other than put valvoline 10W-40 in it every 4000 miles and change the filter and the tranny rebuild was done by the best tranny guy in north texas.

I would like to see a ford do that.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

188K on my new (to me) '93 Suburban K2500.

Lurking in this section trying to find tips to help this thing get out of its own way!

ShadowZ28

actually in response to the oil question. i know for a fact that advance is starting to carry valvoline maxlife synthetic oil. my store (Newton Falls, OH) just got some like 2 weeks ago. youll probably have to ask someone at the counter tho. i know ours is just sitting in the back because there isnt anywhere for it to be put.



BTW 146,xxx and still smokin tires

camaro of solar

iTrader: (2)

17X,000 and still runnign like a champ...though it has a few perforamnce parts and think might need a new distributer as i cant keep all cylenders fireing at periods of long idle...could also be a plug wire...

SaiyajinXero

iTrader: (1)

wow I guess the car I just bought a week ago, which is a very rusted out car on the bottom showing its age (everywhere its rusty its unseeable unless you get underneath) and has 124k miles on it, is actually very normal that it drives like a brand new car, I mean i've driven a couple almost-new cars (you know super tight steering and acceleration) and it seems everyone who has a 305 tbi 90s RS has the same awesomeness I feel when I drive this baby It does burn a bit of oil on startup but thats about it, I just changed the oil last week and have been checking the oil level daily and it isn't going down at all, so i guess the oil it burns is so minimal it wouldnt matter till it was already time for another change anyway. I bought it from people who really didn't know anything about the car and neglected it a bit and then let it sit for months before they just put it out to sell it. Spark plugs and a few more tuneup procedures come soon, then I'll look into a few of those mods starting with the air filter

90tbi305

129,000 she wont give up on me!

dthangel

141K Daily Driver .. Still running good..

Was going to pop a new engine in (because more power is better).. but after I did a little inspection on it last week, changed my mind. Not a drop of oil coming out, no burning oil, nothing.. Runs just a little rich, but that's to be expected when I drive between 5200-8000ft in elevation daily..

Bone stock, even back to a Fram air filter on it.. and even worse, was for the last 2 years it was seriously abused (oil changes like ever 8k miles, tires not rotated at all, left out to be punished by the weather).

MrDude_1

not that im promoting them or going off topic or anything, but i also know of several F150s that do just that.


basic truck motors like the TBI chevy, ford, and L03 (yea, think about it... its basicly a truck motor) just dont die with regular driving and proper care.

kevm14

198,500 on my L05. It loses oil between changes but I can't figure out exactly where it's going. I have never seen smoke out the exhaust, whether on startup, decel or WOT, but I have smelled oil. I think my rear main is leaking and oil is spraying onto my exhaust because everything under there is just covered - starter, oil pan, torque converter cover, tranny pan, cross-member and even the exhaust. Used M1 10W-30 since about 125k. I hear what may be bottom end noise when the engine is stone cold, on light load, like right before part throttle shift points. I dunno. I think I'll keep driving it and beating on it.

hellraiser319

172,168 when i got home from work today. in fact i did a nice burnout in front of the house with the psycho neighbors out, 180 in the parking lot at work, and accidently spun them in front of a gas station that had like 2 cops in it (stupid rain) runs strong as hell for all stock. lil bit of a puff when starting up (might still hafta get the tps in the rite spot) but otherwise, runs great considering the previous owner was a moron. oo the oil leak is not its fault, the idiot that had it b4 me bent the guide for the bolt on the valve cover and rite now its not screwed in gear ratio is only good for the mpg's but otherwise it strong.

o yeah my 84 berlinetta has 191,xxx on an unopened LG4 (nothing other than valve covers and a few misc things on the outside were ever taken apart) i think, and aside from cancer, stupid auto choke and tranny that runs nicely too. halfway down and she'll scream

hellraiser and the red thing

interfac9

155,000 miles and still goin'!!!!

SC2camaro

hey guys/gals


MY 88 SC lo3 auto has 160k on it still runs great. motor has never been opened up. hell the smog pump is still kicking lol. Getting her ready for a 1000 mile roadtrip here in a week going to bowling green KY. it get the best gas mileage of my fleet( see profile) with all the miles car still gets 28-29 on the highway with the air on.

How many of you guys still have the factory A/C blowing cold with R-12 that has not been messed with. Mine still blows cold.

Like someone said before the motors are weak. but for the service and longevity you can't beat em.

Slade1

379 000 kms... best time last year.... 15.4@93mph 2.4 60ft....

stock cam, intake, heads, tbi with classic log cough choke manifolds (to call them headers would be an insult to all other headers)

mmmm a/c....if that fails.. car's being junked!

snflupigus

MR dude, when you coming to Omaha?

hotshotcamaro

120xxx miles, everything is runnin just fine minus the few minor things
such as alternator, and cooling fan went
but planning to swap to a 350 before 135000
who knows if it'll happen though

IceManRS305

iTrader: (-1)

145k smoke at start.... bout it.... passed emissions with ease .... only thing it needed was vlave cover gaskets.... i also go through a quart a week about... its ok tho.. oils cheap... gas is the thing that sucks.. lol....still gettin 16-17 city ... not bad for a 14 year old car with no major repairs done.... and yes this is deff the most reliable engine i think chevys ever produced

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

Some new valve seals will cure that. Oh and ditto on the most reliable engine GM has created.

Arctic White 91 RS

Just rolled over 267,000 on the way to work this morning. That's about 4,500 miles in three months since I started this thread. I think that's pretty impressive for the RS. BTW had the car for 14 years this month.

Have to put a new fuel pressure regulator this week.

kevm14

Mine still works (93, last year for R12 in the B-Body), nice and cold, and never been messed with.

Just rolled over to 200k also.
http://kmoore.phzero.net:8080/digita...erted/200k.JPG

ponykiller1992

iTrader: (1)

my 92 has about 160k on her. When I bout her for 1300 a year and a half ago, the trans fluid looked like oil is was so burnt, the oil literally came out in chunks, and the coolant was so full of rust and corrosion it looked like dirt. The tranny did die on me, but the motor is still going srong. Needs valve seals and the rockers adjusted, but she is still going strong. I am bout to freshen her up, but just because I want to.

BTW, my 85 had 208k onthe original motor, never smoked, never used oil, and was ran HARD!

IceManRS305

iTrader: (-1)

i still have the r12 but the only prob i had was the switch on the condenser dryer broke and i jsut hadda pay 8 bucks for it... thats all... still cold as heck

Camin89Camaro

89 Rs 175,xxx motor still strong but have some other minor problems and the transmission has gave me some problems(700r4) as it is doing right now...

Poncho Villa

1991 305 TBI Firebird, automatic, 161,000 miles, and runs smooth, screams to redline when I floor it. Doesn't leak or burn a drop of oil. Auto trans was rebuilt a couple of years ago by previous owner, and has a new radiator, original otherwise. A mechanic just recently gave it a listen with a stethoscope type thing, couldn't believe the miles--said it was totally solid. Just replaced idler arm and now the steering is super tight.

Have put about 20,000 miles on it, driving (racing) to work and for fun, and it runs better now than when I got it! I love my car--so much fun to drive.

Put on an open air element, K&N filter, 180 degree stat, K&N oil filter, manual fanswitch, treated once with Slick 50 which made the motor run smoother. Already had a Flowmaster catback.

Mods to come: y-pipe, headers, powerplate TBI spacer and TBI mods, ignition ugrades, aluminum driveshaft, KYB shocks, struts, polyurethane bushings, transmission mount, shocktower brace, subframe connectors, 17" Torqthrust II wheels with low profile tires, Borla catback or a true dual setup with chambered mufflers, my black Grant GT wheel that's waiting to go on, Ram Air or cowl hood with custom airbox, and more...

Wishlist: LS1 motor, T56 trans, posi rear with discs, Brembo brake kit, tubular racing suspension, black paint job.

After reading this thread I understand a bit better why my car runs so good, with so many miles on it.

gordo420

iTrader: (1)

264k all highway milage on orig owner with no mods until I got her (I being seconed owner)!cat, open element thats all, no smoke, only during start up it puffs once probally due to worn valve stem seals. decent oil pressure when cold 30psi 8-10 psi when warm, but still has enough to get out of its own way, by the way no noises or vibrations inside of motor as well, gotta love a roller motor

kevm14

Old thread. Here I am a year and a half later. Still have 45-53psi cold start and 15psi hot idle. Oil pressure drops during full throttle acceleration, but not during a brake stand, not when the oil is still cold, and not when I drain a quart from the crank case. Still makes noise for the first few minutes after a cold start (light load). About 4000 miles to a quart of oil. Still haven't seen a single whisp of oil out the exhaust. And I keep driving and beating on it. I'll check back in another year and a half.

jimp2001

124,020 right now.

I'm the 2nd owner, bought the car from a 40 year old woman who bought it new when she was 24. Never driven winters.

Just did valve seals 2 months ago because it smoked on start after sitting a bit. All original except for gutted AIR and diverter valve, added open element filter. Driveline has no signs of wear/tear. Ran mid/low 16's in the 1/4.

Click my signature to my CarDomain... its the dark red '89 I bought it this past summer.

92droptopws6

iTrader: (10)

i have 151,000 on the rs it does the typical start up puff!definately not worried about it if it goes i have another bullet to install.chevy really did a great job on these engines!

90CamaroTBI

175,000 and smoke a little. It runs good and seems like even though the previous owner beat it, it has power. Only mods so far are K&N open element, 3 degrees of timing, and a msd blaster coil.

kyles88bird

buddy has a 91 maro rs 305tbi, was a highway car since day one- went from danbury ct, to new york city. has 600K, 4 timing chains, 2 top end rebuilds, stock motor, one tranny(lost R in the first one) and the orginal 2.73 rear

dwillis

iTrader: (6)

195,000 miles when i bought it..months later the speedo burned out so i replaced it and this odo reads 95,000 miles...i bought it in very rough shape but the engine is fine except for a little blow by...red 92 RS 305..TBI....T-5

a mack6

iTrader: (1)

What kind of oil are you guys with high mileage running? My car uses conventional oil but i am thinking of making the switch to synthetic. My car only has 48,000 miles but i am thinking synthetic may be better for it in the long run.

LAN_Lord

bought mine from a 40 yr. old man that didn't want to do the fuel pump. Bought her with 109,000 and she's got 115,000 now. Running Strong so far

speedy21cvb

Man this is an old thread. It's nice that it has been reborn. ( I would like sticky, just so I can come in and look at the past mileage :P) I checked in last at 201, now I'm at 227k. For the past year and a half I've been drivin back and forth to college. 400 miles per trip. She still burns some oil at atartup and the Radiator has finally started to cry ( literally) Other than the clutch Nothin else is wrong. Everyone is still surprised that with 227k on the clock and the engine still is as good as it is. GM did really do a good job with the reliablity of these engines.

Next checkin at 250k



Also... I think I would switch to synthetic with only 48,000 miles. If I was that low I think it would be worth it. I only use regualr dyno oil because I will not see any worthwhile results.

M1tch

dude there is nothing in OHIO that is worth the drive.. trust me. I live by Cincinnati

Cadillac

175,000 on the clock but I believe a new engine was dropped in around 110,000.

The new engine is as tight as a drum with no smoke, no drips, great economy on the freeway.

Long live TBI!

ratrodjon

186,000 at rebuild (11 psi of oil at 3000 rpm) but it was still running great, no knocks, only oil usage was on start up, found out on tear down somebody had put a cam in it and scored the cam bearings resulting in the low oil psi. btw theres nothing better than watching the odometer go back to 0. How can people enjoy didital gauges? 213,008 now.

Highwind

Just rolled over 250k this past weekend. Intermittent light puff of smoke on start up and the suspension needs a rebuild. Still gets 27-28 MPG highway. Starting to leak oil though from the flywheel cover .

gordo420

iTrader: (1)

good ENGINEering I suppose, I wonder if that it being a roller moter it made it a bit more durable.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

227,000 and runnin strong
Maxed 32 mpg HW
Taggin 26-7-ish mpg now cuz of a mystery vaccuum leak
Original engine/build, original trans, original rear
Motor has mild seepage but no leaks/drips

Trans is fixin to fall out 3rd + 4th gears sound bad

Rear whines 35-45mph

Hope for T-56 summer project
Bet I consistantly break 30mpg HW with a T-56
No performance mods planned, save performance $$ for my play toy

vinceanity92

198,xxx and running original L03, props to valvoline maxlife, i run it hard and nothing goes bad hit 6000 rpm all the time.

flaming-ford

iTrader: (7)

i hope your not running 6,000rpms with a stock lo3.... Seems pretty pointless to me.

vinceanity92

whats so pointless about that? i have the top speed limiter (brown wire port a-10 on ecu)disconnected and when i top her out it does hits 6 grand, plus its just a play toy not daily driver and im trying to blow the LO3 because i have 350HO on stand waiting for when i have some free time to put it in

a mack6

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully you have some better than stock tires on that. The speedlimiter was put in place for a reason---to limit the cars speed to the maximum speed allowed by the factory tires. If you have factory replacement tires you're at a serious risk for a blowout every time you top that thing out with the speed limiter disconnected.

Zion

265,xxx
before engine swap

BronYrAur

iTrader: (1)

Well, this just means that your tach is not accurate. Let's say you're topping your car out at 6,000 RPM in 3rd gear, 1:1 gear assuming, and stock 2.73:1 rear gears. That would mean that you're going 170 MPH with a 26" tire. That motor would never pull your car that fast. It's just a matter of how far off the tach actually is.

These engines sure take a beating though, that's for sure, that's a lot of miles with some hard driving.

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

I agree. A stock LO3 without a limiter will top out around 132mph or so (depending on tire condition, road surface and head wind). If you don't want to do the math there are a few police tests (Michigan State Police) that confirmed this.

vinceanity92

doesnt matter to me as long as its past the 115 i thinks the cut out mph it still pulls past it, ive got stock size tires but they are z rated yoko's so no worries and when i top her out its at a small local airport so its all good, sorry if i sounded like a wierdo or something earlier i woldnt really do it if it were a huge saftery concern ive done a complete suspension rebuild, and 4th gen rear and new tranny like 10K miles ago so only thing really stock is the motor and i just cant get it to blow from hard driving GM did a great job on the reliability of the LO3's

jimp2001

why blow it to put in a new motor?

vinceanity92

because its good fun and why give me hell about it? LO3 is junk anyway

BronYrAur

iTrader: (1)

Hey if you got another motor sittin around and you wanna blow this one up, by all means have some fun!