Hi everyone, i'm new to the board. Well i got a 1988 Sports Coupe with the beloved L03 Inside. I've had it for a year and I
feel the need for some more power. I'm 18 and the insurance is pretty low on the 5.0. I was thinking about engine swaping and i'm worried about emissions. Its my daily driver. I've read about the 350 tbis and i want some more power. Would an Lt1 work well, or an ls1. I know that i'll probably have to get another tranny with an ls1, does the lt1 bolt on to that TH700r. I got so many questions. Does anyone know of a good shop that will do all this stuff somewhere in northern California. Sorry if i seem like a newbie to all this stuff cause i am. I appreciate any help.

 

If you want an ls1 or an lt1 done up by a shop, youll spend evey peny of that probably. Your best bet is to go get a parts car like an lt1 4th gen camaro and go from there. LT1 and LS1 engines are pretty damn good. You will need a parts car for the computer, harness, etc.


I just finished putting my new $1300 (only got 2 g's) 350 into my car over the past two days and this was my first swap. Just waiting on an adapter plate for my tbi so i can mate it to my performer intake. Swapping yourself is quite doable. If you have a shop do an engine swap (just a crate engine instead), theyll charge upwards of 3000 or so for a lo5 and probably go up from there if you want a performance engine. Youll also have to do some prom burning (if you keep the present induction system) too to utilize the motor. I went with a cheepie 200HP pre 86 350 to avoid this (still need a cop car chip and injectors, though). This too is my daily driver and power isnt a primary concern. Just do your homework and check out all your options before you make a descision.

BTW, welcome to the board!

 

what kind of condition is the car in? Youll definatly need to beef up the body w/ subframe rails and get some other goodies too to support all that torque.

 

ummmmm $12k

why not just buy an used LT1 corvette?

its not worth it to convert your camaro for that much $$$

 

Why don't you just buy my '89 Firebird minus the engine for $9500? If you sell your car you should have more than enough money left to buy a 450Hp to 500Hp engine. You'll get more for your money in the long run. VIN code reads out as a 6-cylinder too (for insurance). This is a project car that I have been building for several years. It's simply brutal. You will need to bolt in an engine and wire up the fuel injection system. It has the following:

- Fully programmable 4-barrel fuel injection system, 900 cfm throttle body ($1400). Fits on any square bore intake manifold and supports up to 500 Hp.
- Strange Engineering 12-bolt rear with 1LE disks, 3.73 gears, SuperPosi ($2300)
- TPIS aluminum driveline ($350)
- Tremec TKO 5-speed tranny ($2200)
- Lakewood bellhousing ($350)
- Pro 5.0 shifter with adjustable stops ($250?)
- Centerforce dual friction clutch assembly ($300)
- PA Racing chromoly tubular front crossmember powder coated red ($500)
- Global West steering box brace ($90)
- Kenny Brown competition suspension ($750), includes Super Subframe connectors, adjustable control arms, adjustable panhard rod
- Spohn competition adjustable torque arm ($350)
- PA Racing front coil over suspension ($200?)
- Bilstien sport struts ($400?)
- Koni adjustable rear shocks ($150?)
- Suspension techniques front and rear sway bars
- Suspension techniques variable rate rear springs
- Poly bushings
- ROH RT wheels 17x9 all the way around ($1200)
- Nitto drag radials on rear (275/40-R17) and 555 extremes on front (245/45-R17) ($600)
- Flowmaster exhaust system with 2-chamber muffler and dual polished 3" tips ($250)
- 3-core radiator ($200)
- 97 Trans Am 6-speed center console ($100)

I added up $12,000 worth of stuff right there and there's probably more that I'm not remembering... let alone the raw value of the near perfect car!!! The paint job alone was $3000. If you don't want a stick shift I've got a custom built TH400 that I was going to put behind the big block. Basically, we can make dreams come true. You can't do any better than this for the money.... think about it.

Shoot me an e-mail at littleborgy@yahoo.com if you want to talk it out. (Yes, there is a hood and it's in perfect condition.)

 

Wow, thats a nice Firebird. I just dont wanna get rid of my car, it has sentimental value. I think that i'll just wait a little longer and hope the stock market goes up. I'll try and get a nice 4th gen SS. This swap looks like it would cost more than i wanted to spend. Thats alot for all the help.

 

You'll just need to do the same suspension and chassis mods to the SS and you'll lose a ton of money. Insurance will kill you too. Plus, my car will kick as SS Camaro's butt.

 

After dumping about 10K in my 91Z I would say dont spend the money on your car. Get a used LS1 f-body.