I have a stock '84 trans am with the 305HO and 700-R4. I've been looking into getting the base 350 HO crate motor. I have a couple of questions. i have to pass emissions here (both visual and test) so i need to reuse all of my emission stuff. is this the part i need to get the EGR to work? http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...=1256&pid=8156

Also, can i reuse my distributor, because it says i have to use their's or get their distributor gear. if i get the gear, can i put it on my distributor? Can i get a flexplate to hook up to my 700-r4, or reuse mine? Thanks for the help in advance, i really wanna get this engine (when i have the money)

 

If i were you I would look into getting the smog legal 350HO that GM offers. It comes with everything one needs to stay smog legal, and offers 310 horsepower and 340 ft lbs i think with all the smog stuff on. I tried to find a part number for you but I couldnt.

As for the flexplate, the 350HO is a one piece rear main seal block, so it is externally balanced. You will not be able to reuse your flexplate because your block is internally balanced.

As for the distributor, I run an MSD pro billet distributor on my motor. You can use any distributor on it, they just want you to buy theirs.

Seth

 

That tube is the first step to getting the EGR functional. Don't forget you'll need a Vortec-specific intake manifold.

You can't use "any" distributor. In order to pass the visual (and likely the sniffer), you'll have to have computer control, and computer control requires the use of a computer-controlled distributor. The 350 HO doesn't have a roller cam, so the melonized gear isn't required.

I have yet to hear of someone getting a 350 HO with computer controls through visual and sniffer. Doesn't mean nobody has done it, I just haven't heard about it. Technically, it isn't legal.

 

yeah, i found a egr manifold from GMPP. Do you think i'll be able to use my computer controlled distibutor off of my 305?

 

Yes, no problem.

 

i was thinking i could rebuild the carburetor off the 305, do you think it will be big enough? Any other things i should know?Thanks for the help

 

If I told you I did it twice in New Jersey would you believe me
It didn't have EGR but they didn't look for it. They just looked at me and said "if it pass' the sniffer we didn't see anything". It did. I don't know if I'll be as lucky my 3rd time through or not. I doubt it since they're cracking down harder than ever. I might have to go to a personal shop to see if they'll neglect the visual so long as I pass the sniffer. I don't see what the problem is with tampering. So long as it gets the job done without stinking up the envirnment why should they care?
The motor is great, I love it. Once you're done having fun with it (3 to 4 years) you'll have a block that was new, now conditioned and ready for a rebuild for more go faster goodies. My 305 took a crap and I NEEDED a motor in the car and running within a week (spring break) so it was a no brainer. I couldn't see rebuilding a 305 let alone a 350 of unknown origin.

 

thats cool, are you using the computer to control the 350? Would i need to get a custom chip or something if i wanna use the computer to control the 350 crate?

 

I was also looking at 350 HO Deluxe. It costs about a grand more than base, but GM website says it can be used for all cars after '76. (PN 12496968). From what I can make out the engine is a complete package with 650 cfm carb and vacuum advance distributor.

What purpose would the computer serve if two major components are mechanical? I know computer does other stuff like AIR system and turn on secondary fan, but do you really need to keep the computer for that?

I am still not sure how can it be street legal, but I guess if it is a new engine, it is not considered "disabling any emissions equipment" when you remove ECM. As long as it passes the breathalizer.

 

well, i wanna get the base, and reuse my stock carb (after a good rebuild) and the stock distributor (new cap, rotor etc.) i've found a intake manifold that has egr, because of the emissions here that are under the hood check and the test. i think i can pull it off, after i have the money

 

The carb will be big enough. Look at the magazine articles on this board by Steve Green with "stroke in the desert", or something like that, in the title. He built a computer-controlled q-jet 383 and passed Nevada visual and sniffer. But, he used the Edelbrock package, not Vortec-headed 350 HO crate motor.

JPrevost, sounds like you passed with a wink, not a strick visual/sniffer. I'm still waiting for the "strick visual/sniffer" pass (I'll accept a waiver pass, assuming it is an acceptance on technical grounds, not a "we'll let you by this time" waiver). There is a post on the Tech forum about someone considering attempting it in California with TPI/SDPC base on the HO crate.

 

Of course it isn't going to pass a visual if they're looking hard enough!
"They just looked at me and said "if it pass' the sniffer we didn't see anything". It did.", me
As in it passed the sniff test. If that isn't enough proof that it's clean burning then I don't know what else to tell you. Having no EGR I had to balance my HC vs NOx levels with some tuning but it passed none the less. It failed the first time through because my thermostat stuck open (robertshaw brand) and so it was running 230-240 hence the ultra high NOx levels. It passed still with the broke thermostat but I let the car cool down to a nice 160 before I gave them the keys to run it. I got it back when it was 220, went home to replace the stat, steady 180 ever since.