i am kind of new at working on cars, but bought an '88 formula firebird because of how much i loved my first car, an '85 firebird. anyway, with my father owning a '69 camaro and my older brother owning a '79 trans am, i guess i was kind of destined to step up to the plate, but back to the topic.
i am starting to rebuild this '88 formula with a 305ci V8 and t-tops and i really want to put a 350ci V8 in it. with the current aspirations i have, the engine i would want to build would be cretaing between 300hp-350hp with a similar torque rating (around 300 foot/pounds). but my question is: even with subframe connectors installed, would the frame be able to tolerate the power of an engine with the specs i have provided due to the t-tops?

 

T-top cars are pretty strong, they could handle a pretty good engine. Really the SFC's will help bunches in the stiffening area. I would also consider some Lower Control Arms an a pan hard bar. You will be more likely to blow out the rear end than to twist the car once you put on some SFC's...

I guess it depends on wheter your going to drag the car or just have the power "just in case"

Good luck

John

 

You should be fine just get some SFC's.

I mean, even vert's can pack quite a punch.

I wouldnt worry to much, you'd really need to try and bend a frame with 300 ft/lbs of torque.

But if you plan on dragging, I would get every type of frame strength you can get.

Strut tower brace, better torque arm, wonderbar... all that fun stuff.

Basically go to spohn and buy everything

 

thanks a lot guys. i'll definantely keep all of this in mind when i begin piecing together a 350. for now, i have different fish to fry; however it doesn't hurt to be prepared. once again, thanks.