As my sig tells, I have an 88 T/A with an L03 and looking to upgrade to a 350 or bigger. Although I live in a county that does not currently require emissions, the rest of the state does have emissions laws and it may be only a matter of time before those laws are imposed on our county.

Anyway, for those who don't know GMPP sells a 350HO Camaro conversion package that upgrades an LG4 camaro to a 350HO with twin cats. It appears to be the HO 350 crate with TBI induction and the twin snorkel air cleaner setup and of course 2 catalytic converters. Although it is some $4500 for this upgrade it is a turnkey upgrade as it does supply the ecm and all wiring. It also has a California emissions exemption (although you can't buy the system IN California, but you can install it in a CA car), so it would be a 50-state legal option.

Okay, here are my questions:

1. later 3rd gen camaros and Firebirds had the 2-cat option, what would be the interference on an 88 T/A that might prevent this setup? Even if I don't purchase the Conversion can I install an exhaust system with 2 cats onto my current frame? Repeat: what interferences could/would I encounter?

2. Has anyone ventured into this upgrade? I e-mailed GMPP about adapting this upgrade to my 88 T/A, but all I received for a response was some crap about there being endless combinations possible making it impossible for them to advise.

3. Even if i don't go this route I'd like to go with a daily driveable 383 setup but I am stuck scratching my head as far as what fuel system to use (carb, tbi, tpi, etc.) that will be fuel efficient for highay cruises/commutes, but strong enough to wipe the ricers and mustangs at the stop light if I'm feeling evil at that moment. It also should attempt to pass emissions.

So what kind of suggestions can you motor swaping gurus come up with? I am also aware that ignition, exhaust system, and probably some driveline upgrades will be necessary. So how can I go about setting up a 383 in my Trans Am and what fuel/induction system will work the best for my needs? My budget would be about 5 grand up front with upgrades later on (i.e. the GMPP conversion now, stroking engine to 383 later, or whatever).

Okay, lets hear what you guys think.

 

That kit was only intended for the carbureted thirdgens, and wouldn't be legal if installed into a car with fuel injection. Most of the parts in the kit were intended to work with the stock carburetor (fuel system components, computer, chip, carburetor parts), not TBI. Take those parts out and all that's left is the engine, air cleaner, exhaust, control arms, and transmission components. I think you'd be better off buying things separate, you don't really need dual cats anyway.

 

Bumping this up to see if there any other opinions out there.

 

Not much else to say...

This kit is an engine (a ZZ4 specifically), an air cleaner, and a handful of exhaust parts. It basically installs a 350 that is externally equipped like a L69 into a carbed car. Obviously in order to use it you need a carb ECM, carb wiring, carb fuel supply arrangements, etc.

It is not TBI, and will not work with TBI. It is designed for performance applications. I suppose you could alter a TBI car to accept it, but that's a different matter.

If you want a 383, there's no sense in buying that engine, or any other assembled "crate" engine other than a 383 for that matter. Complete disassembly is required to make a 350 into a 383, and many of the most expensive parts have to be replaced. So, you lose all of the benefits of a "crate" engine: warranty; whatever parts come in it that go away in the conversion such as crank and rods and pistons; and factory assembly. Not much sense in buying those things and then putting them in the trash.

You're right, it is not legal in CA, but it will "fit" a CA-equipped car. However, once you do that, that car will no longer be able to pass CA emissions inspection. Especially a 88 car, since no carbed motors at all were available in this chassis after 87.

On a $5000 budget, it doesn't make much sense to buy a box with $4500 worth of stuff in it. You'll need sub-frame cannectors, rear gears, trans work, exhaust work, all sorts of things that won't come in the box ranging from oil & anti-freeze and hoses all the way to wiring harnesses, etc.

All in all, that doesn't seem to be the best way to go. A better path might be the 330 HP 350. Add some headers, a cat, and a cat-back exhaust, all for some car other than TBI; and a real camshaft. Reduce the fuel pressure to carb level, and put a Vortec intake and a carb on it. Much more bang for the buck.

 

I'll offer another opinion: RB is right.

The conversion is for carbed cars (it does have a CARB exemption for use in California, but only on orginally carbed cars).

You could put in a ZZ4 crate engine and hook your TBI up to it with upgrades. There are other options, but if emissions testing/inspection are around the corner, you'd better take that into consideration in your plans. I have a bud who did both the ZZ3 (basically the same as a ZZ4 for the purposes of this discussion) and TPI swap to his '90 LO3. He passes emissions with no problems, and it runs pretty good. I won't go into all of the other mods he's done, because most of them aren't necessary, but it can be done.

Oh, he used dual cats. Added subframe connectors. Boxed LCA's w/poly bushings. Gears. Complete race-prep'd tranny.

 

Okay I stand corrected on the conversion not being an option for me. Sorry for the troubles.

So on roughly a $5000 budget how could get a good 383 setup and what type of fuel system (carb, tbi, tpi) should I consider for a somewhat fuel efficient setup? I've read a lot of pros and cons for each of the 3 fuel systems and I'm left scratching my head as far as which one to settle with. The Carb would probably be the easiest to setup and most potential; tbi for the best fuel efficiency and in general a computer-controlled setup; and probably tpi being the most expensive for the power it produces. So what would be some suggestions on what I could do?