I got an 86 iroc w/ 305 tpi freshly rebuilt tranny, Im looking at a new crate engine, and was wondering what ppl have heard or how easy of a swap the 385 w/ lt4 cam would be? Looks like a nice setup, any comments would be appreciated thx

 

It would be just like swapping any other SBC, however there are a few things I would be concerned with. First off I would suggest something other than TPI on that motor, it will choke. The Fastburn is a good motor and along with the LT4 hotcam will put out 430hp and gobs of torque, there's no need to choke it to death with a TPI setup. You could go with a carb or a stealth ram (not sure exactly what as far as FI goes, I'm a carb man myself). I'm guessing you live in Minnesota, so I don't think you'll have to worry about emissions (correct?). Like I said it's a great motor, and I think you would be happy with it.

 

where are you getting this crate motor from? and how much is it?

 

yes, no emission worries here, i was planning to throw a carb on, then maybe in future go back to FI, motor is near 4900 from scoggin dickey...probably could find it cheaper elsewhere though..also I would most likely need a new rear end? Ford 9 in the way to go?

 

You might check out gmpartsdirect.com, they have good pricing. As for the rearend, it will hold up fine as long as you don't put stickies on it. If you do, you can build it up with good parts for about $800 (1/2 the cost of s 9") and it will last. IIRC, these rearends, built correctly and with quality parts will hold 450hp with slicks.

 

ok , well im probably just going to drive street, no racing yet, so rear end isnt a problem? Now im debating whether to get the 385, or the 385 w/ hot cam, 45 more ponies and 45 more lbs... worth 700 more bucks? If I did go with the 385/w hot cam what carb would u guys recommend ?

 

For the 45 extra ponies you would also need 1.6 rocker arms too. And a different intake manifold IIRC.

 

You can order the kit and install it yourself and save a bunch of money. Then you can sell the old cam to somebody with a roller 305. That cam makes a good 305 cam... As for the carb, I would reccomend a 750 double pumper (with a manual) or one with vac. secondaries for an auto. As long as you keep street tires (no drag radials) your rear will hold up fine. It's when you start hooking that things start to break.

 

the motor with the hot cam already comes with 1.6 rr's also has a high rise dual plane intake so..

 

Save your money and just buy the hot cam and 1.6ratio roller rockers. You do not need the whole kit for $500. The fastburn heads come with the same exact springs as in the kit so there is no need to upgrade! (don't ask why i know this) LOL Anyway, it should be at $4100 now @ Scoggin-Dickey. Its where i got mine. Install the cam yourself and save some more money. Its so easy to do while the motor is just sitting there out of the car. If you choose to go with fuel injection, you will need an intake meant for the fastburn heads, like the miniram 3 for example. Also, the tpi manifold from SCPD. I got rid of the old cam, intake, distributor, and water pump off of that motor. If i could do it over, i would buy the shortblock with the heads put on it and save some cash! Well, if you were to go with fuel injection that is. If you were to go carb, just buy a fuel pump, and carb, and throw it in there. Well, you get the idea! Try a search on this, you will find more info.

 

The springs in the fastburn heads are not the same springs that are in the hot cam kit. The springs in the FB head are orange coded springs. The springs in the HOT kit are a green coded spring. (higher spring pressure than the stock fastburn springs. There is a note in the GM performance catalogue stating NOT to use the stock fastburn head springs and to change them when upgrading to HOT cam. I just finished this upgrade. Originally the motor had a TPI, HI flow baseplate from SDPC, 26lb injectors, hypertech chip, Ported plenum,edelbrock high flow runners, 58mm TB, holley AFPR. headers, 3 inch exhaust. everything port matched. I just finished a swap to carb. GM performance HEI, Edelbrock performer rpm airgap, BG speed demon 750 vac sec, and moroso AFPR. I can't even believe the power difference. The TPI was fun but this carb setup is WAY stronger than the TPI ever was. The carbed setup just likes to breathe alot longer than the fuel injection. If you wanna pull tree trunks out of your front yard TPI is definaltly the way to go but for all out performance I sure like the carb.

 

I have the Fast Burn in my '86 TransAm. It's an awesome motor, but I got the turnkey crate for $5100 Cdn. No worries about what will or won't fit afterwards.

That being said, is the rebuilt tranny going to hold up or did you beef that up in the rebuild? I still have the stock tranny behind mine, but I never tromp on it too hard and it seems to be holding but I'm not expecting a long life out of it hehe! Driving it till it stops working.

How about the Torque Converter? Higher stall? Fellow from Edge racing, where i got mine, had some great tips for the rest of the car. Like higher gear ratio for the back and it wouldn't impact mileage too much if at all (2.77 to 3.23 - can never remember the gear ratios exactly but something like that).