x-40oz-x

I'm going to look at a 86 Trans Am tomorrow but i don't no much about these engines. This 305 is the original engine that has 193,000kms on it. The car is an auto.
I looked at the exterior yesterday and it's in awesome shape. The guy wasn't home so i couldn't see the engine or interior. So far i think the car is in good shape.
So let's here the responses.

2kflhr

iTrader: (1)

From what I know, it doesn't produce a whole lot of power but is a die hard engine.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

If it's an 86 it's not a tbi.Tbi didn't come until 88 with the exception of the crossfire in 82.It would have the carburated LG4.In stock form like the tbi cars they suck,I believe it's rated at 150hp from the factory.But like the tbi with alittle love those LG4's can be made to be pretty stout.There is afew people here getting close to or above 300hp out of them.

DLV555

iTrader: (1)

Well it could also be an L69 or an LB9, correct? He didn't say if it was TPI or carbed. If it's the L69, then that would be better than the LG4 with power numbers similar to the TBI. It would require less work to make good power than the LG4.

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

The LO3 is a cheap and reliable V8 motor. It makes great power for a street driven car and simple mods really wake it up. They are a dime a dozen and cost little to maintain, own, and insure. They are durable and get great mileage as well.

golden

And it's a great engine for a first time modder ...

x-40oz-x

Alrighty i'm pretty confused now.
This engine is a carbed 305 that is the original engine. So it can't be a LB9 because the LB9 is the TPI305, right?
So it's either a L69, LG4 or a LO3???
Maybe it's not a TBI, but it is carbed??? i'm lost now.

ShiftyCapone

iTrader: (7)

The LB9 was TPI and TBI was not available until '88. Chances are you have an LG4 and or L69 (HO 305). If your motor has the dual snorkel intake chances are it is an L69. A TBI system looks like a carb but it has a pod on top that hosts two large injectors. Check out the "new to TBI" sticky above for some TBI related pictures.

x-40oz-x

Awesome man.
Thanks a bunch.

DLV555

iTrader: (1)

Sorry, I mentioned the LB9 because there was confusion as to what motor this car had. I saw that you mentioed the TBI in the thread title, but that was not an option on the year you mentioned. I brain farted and thought you didn't know what type of inductiuon the car had (at all). Either way I've had a couple of 305's, both TBI and carbed, and had a blast with them.

Jza

Everything ShiftyCapone said.

But compared to other available engines, aftermarket engine combos, and even carb'd crate motors, it's a pretty anemic powerplant.

Has the best low-end torque (as far as curve shape, not necessarily actual output) of all the available motors.

Personally I think the TBI is a perfect fit for pickups and rock-crawlers.

Cadillac

Yep.

Check the link on my sig for a ton more detail about all the GM engines.

x-40oz-x

Yea i screwed up in the title.my bad.
----------
Well people i didn't go look at the car, cause i was suppost to sell my winter beater the other day but then the buyer dropped out.
So i phoned the Trans am owner and told him i couldn't afford his car, but once i get the money i'd call him back. And then i forgot to ask him what the EXACT engine is, dammit.
Anyways thanks again for the replies.

sleeperlo3

ive got an 89 rs w/ 305 tbi. this motor really does respond well to performance parts. Right now ive got a mild cam, roller rockers, headers, exhaust, stage two chip, posi, cold air intake, hypertech cap, coil, and rotor, accell wires, and bosch platinum plus four plugs. My dad thinks ive hit the 350 hp mark but im not going to believe him until i get it dyno'd. probably more like 200-something. When I got the car back when i was 16 i heared all kinds of people putting down my 305 tbi. Everyone said i should have got a tpi or i should drop a 350 in it. So i decided to keep the 305 tbi just to show that it can be done. Ive raced and smoked GTs, 5.0s, iroc zs, countless imports, and a porche from the 80s. The 305 tbi only sucks if its stock. I plan on seeing just how much power i can get out of the tbi. i will post my hp numbers once i dyno it.

brodyscamaro

Prolly low 200s Compete against REAL street cars putting down 400, 500, and 600 horsies to the rear wheels and you'll get a rude awakening

Jeremy Z28

iTrader: (5)

I wouldn't exactly say that's the point sleeperlo3 was trying to get across. Most any car on the street would get a rude awakening trying to put up against a 600HP machine. The point was, his car came a long way compared to the beginning.

brodyscamaro

Our local street scene has many beasts. Coming a long way can mean a lot, then again it can mean jack ****. Going from mid 17s to mid 14s is great, but you're still running mid 14s which isn't enough to compete against any street car/truck...

rs1990

Not much power, very durable engine can take a beating...I had a 1990 Camaro, mine was running strong at 220,000 miles before Hurricane Wilma totalled my car last year.

I had done some minor mods, exaust, suspension & tranny it was a great ride at 14.85 1/4 mile before it was damaged

For what I have been told if you give them proper maintenance they have been recorded to make it to 300k before a rebuilt...

Good luck with the car, hope you get it...