I recently just bought a new engine for my 87 TA. Chevy 331 .040 over, great parts, never installed 430hp estimated (replacing my stock 305). I have headers, exhaust, and stock auto transmission. I'm getting new tires. I'm swapping the engine when i get home from school for the summer. Anyways, what is a good thing to add on top of all this? Basically, where should I go next? (everything else not mentioned is stock) -Thanks

Well, be sure that your transmission and rearend are strong enough to withstand the power the new engine is going to be putting out. Make sure the brake rotors, calipers, and pads are all in good condition so that they can stop the beast when you let it loose. Sub frame connectors I hear are very useful for stengthening the chassis and improving handling as well as the wonderbar strut (can get it from TDS for about $55).

Being that you have a Trans Am like me, fix the headlight motors if they aren't working correctly. Get new hood/hatch struts if they aren't working the way they're supposed to and holding up what they're ment to. Fix any body damage, rust, or bad interior spots that you have the ability to repair.

As far as beautification goes, you can get a nice fiberglass hood or spoiler to reduce weight and add some stye, though most prefer the stock hoods on the birds. I'm different and got a daytona hood. lol. Some fresh paint would also do it some good if it has a bad paint job.

I'm just kind of ramdling on. Most of the things I've mentioned are things I also want for my Trans Am. lol.

I thought hard about the transmission but the guy i bought the engine from was building it for my exact stock transmission before he had to get rid of the car. So if everything he tells me, and he seems reliable and very knowledgeable, it should hold up, well at least for a while.

Fixed the lights last year. Paint is decent, no rust, minor scratches. Spoiler sucks though. Any ideas how to get one that would look nice? Interior good, no tears(still got that 80's red retro look).

I do not have posi-traction. Is this something I should look into? I do plan on casual racing at NE Drag.

Posi is great. lol. I'd look into it if you want more response and are planning on racing every once in a while. My Trans Am has it... my Camaro doesn't. lol. Huge difference in power, but posi isn't the only thing that makes my bird more powerful.

Hawks sells a fiberglass wrap around replica spoiler. It's a little pricey, but I plan on buying it myself whenever I get around to that part of the car. It's much better than the heavy, cracked rubber spoiler I have now.

Might also want to get your hands on a nice buffer and buff all the small swirls and scratches out of your paint. Then you can polish her and make her shine!

Yea that's what i figured. Do you know if it's hard to install? I mean I'm gonna have the car in shreds doing the swap so it would def. be the time to do it.

procharger, nice wheels. new paint

A 430 horse 327 is going to need to be spinning to the moon. A very high stalling converter will be required to get the thing moving.

I'd want to see a list of parts before I buy the 430 HP claim. Most likely, it's .

(For the record, a 0.040" over 327 is 333 cid. 0.030" over is 331 cid.)

Small block 331 CID engine, new never started. Complete from carb to oil pan. 350 4 bolt mains block (14016379 casting dated 1979) with ARP main stud kit & windage tray, bored 0.040" over, forged 10.5:1 compression TRW pistons, LT-1 rods, Dart Pro-1 aluminum 200cc heads with ARP stud kit, Team-G single plane intake w/EGR port to pass visiual state emissions inspection, SFI flexplate, Holley fuel pump, Edelbrock carburator 750 CFM w/electric choke, new distributor with custom wires, Crane roller rockers, guide plates, Crane cam 235 duration @0.050", double roller timing chain w/torrington bearings, balanced by Crebb Engineering Pascoag RI. Engine was destined for an 87' Monte SS and to run on the street on pump gas with a rough idle in front of a stock transmission.

What would you recommend for a high stall converter?

(For the record, a 0.040" over 327 is 333 cid. 0.030" over is 331 cid.)[/quote]



---Thanks, I was wondering about that too