Well today the guy around the corner from me knocked on my door. He asked if that was my firebird. I said yes, he said
"you looking for a motor?" I said sure this summer i was thinking about changing the motor.
He said " I got a tpi motor for sale, i cant use it, i bought a firebird from online but when i got it the frame was bent bad so im junking it. The Tpi motor is out of my brothers car"


I went around the corner to look at it and here the guy has the trans still on the motor! He said I can have it all for ...........(drumroll ..............................)

$300!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said i can have the exhaust from his bent firebird too if i want. He said his father has the ecm in the house too. Only part hes not sure if he has or not is the wiring harness that goes to the inj. (for $300 WHO CARES!)

Motor looks good,Friday ill be picking it up. I dont really have the money to complete the swap right now but **** a tpi motor with trans and ecm for $300! Cant get any closer either.


So i guess i wont be welcome on the v6 board soon?

 

another one lost lol. its a hell of a deal man. congrats, hope it all goes well.

 

thanks man, i just knew i could spend that $ on something better than a set of pacesetter headders.

z28 I just wish i came across this deal back in dec, then i woulda never did the head gasket!

 

305 or 350? Congrats, I'm a little jealous....just a little

 

Awesome find!! Keep us posted on how the swap goes! And take pics! Even if you don't get to put them up on the internet for years, it's still cool if you take pics! (How many pics have I promised to put up? haha)

 

thankx guys, im not sure if its a 305 or 350 yet., i was so shocked at the price i forgot to ask, he said it came from a 90 iroc. I will take a ton of pics. As soon as i pick the motor up ill post some pics of it.

 

Don't send that six to the junkyard... I'll take it if I can get access to a pickup for a couple of days...
Or, if I can't, you might be better off parting it out...

 

yeah thats true.

Also i was just looking at the price of a wiring harness online. I think if the guy cant find the harness ill drop the fi stuff and throw a manifold,carb and fuel pressure regulator on it.

 

For which engine? I can probably connect you to a junkyard that has the complete ECM wiring for a 305 from an 88 Firebird (might work for a 350 with injector/ECM swap) for cheap, there is no price listed on car-part.com, but it says to call for a quote.

DON"T FORGET YOU NEED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER!!!

 

for the newer tpi one, its from a 90 iroc, its speed density. The cheapest i found it was for 175 and that one was cut. I have time to look as i dont have the $ to buy the rad and mounts ill need to complete the swap. So from friday till i do the swap the motor will sit in the back of my sisters pickup outside.

 

Can't help with that one other than to say to check car-part if the guy can't get you his. Also forgot to mention you'll be dealing with the VATS stuff...

 

screw the vats, if that is the case a manifold and carb with a 3 port fpr will go on the motor. Ill sell the tpi crap for whatever.

The simplicity of a carb is really getting to me. Im not really into all the fi computerized stuff.

 

I happen to have an unsued VATS bypass kit if so choose

Biggest issue against carb setup should be emmissions testing.

 

congrats on the find....got less w/ my northstar, less money, but less w/ it....don't have any places around here w/ tpi's instock right now, but i'll keep an eye out for a wiring harness.....how much would it take to convert to maf instad of speed density? just curious, might be a good option. Also, i'd say go w/ fuel injection, although the simplicity of a carb is something i'm sure you'll enjoy for the ease of hooking it up, after you have it running and running well, you'll be glad that you did the fuel injection...plus, if you have the fi, and do something like an incredibly crazy cam in the future , and you need to switch to carb, you can always do it hten, and already have the fuel injeciton stuff....how much of the wirign harness do you have? are you just missing the FI stuff, or are you missing the whole harness w/ sensors etc?

 

Thanks for the offer project ill keep that in mind.

When i looked at the motor all the plugs for the sensors had been unplugged but the sensors are still there.The guy said his father has the ecm with the wires in the house. Im guessing he ment the harness when he said the wires. Or i hope he did! Either way i cant pass the deal up.


Inspection inst an issue thanks to a friend of a friend who will pass pretty much anything him or I own.

 

Well i got the motor today,The guy came around here and said he needs it out of the garage.
He gave me the motor/trans/drive shaft,rad,ecm,starter,air hose,filter box and k&n filter,and motor mounts.

All the sensors are in their place but i dont have any of the harness. So unless i can find it for cheap (the harness) ill be selling the TPI setup and putting a manifold and carb on it.

 

yeah the v8 ones go up towards the front more. The guy gave me the v8 mounts also. I wanted to take some pics of the motor today but my crappy cam doesnt work too good.

 

While its off the car, nows the perfect time to do some cleaning, might wanna change the freeze plugs, rear main seal, all that good junk. Are you sure it was working without any problems?

 

Don't be so negative, I did my engines functional check after I did all that work to it. Same w/the 3.4. It's more funner that way

 

The freeze out plugs look new. Their isnt even the carbon buildup on the inside of the vc's and ontop of the heads like their was on my 2.8. The ecm is GM Reman and today i found out it has a JET performance chip in it. The maf is also Reman.
The guy said his brother took good care of the motor but he got a good deal on a 454 so he put that in his car. He said not too many people around here are looking for these motors .
(i live in the middle of Rlce land!!!) I wasnt about to point him towards the net to sell it!!!!!
Besides he brought the motor around to me BEFORE i paid for it so i could of gotten it checked out and not paid him. I took a pic of the chip but my cam sucks so you really cant see much..

 

maf..

 

i think i can draw better than your camera takes pics >:P
:lala: :lala: :lala: :lala:

 

You probably can but come on you seen the POS!

 

lol them photos look like nasa footage from the moon:hail:

 

lol Well theirs your proof we never made it to mars, nasa just bought a pos walmart cam and took some pics or AZ!
It works a little better in daylight but i cant seem to find any of that right now .

 

JMO, but if I had a choice of either a 350 or 305 it would be pretty obvious. A 305 has very limited potential compared to a 350 and I 've head many a disapointed story from 305 owners who know what I am refering to. If your going to buy it, save all the externals and scrap the 305 for a 350 if you can find one.

There are tons and tons of performance parts for a 350. A 305 is just about the worst motor Chevy ever made. Don't just take my word for it, ask others.

I have one magazine that talks about hi-po 305 upgrades but it was just not worth the trouble for whatt you are getting. Better off dropping in a 3.4L. JMO of course. It's your money.

 

dude thanks for the post but you dont have a clue! EVERYTHING you can do to a 350 you can do to a 305. "The worst motor gm made"? I really think you need to do more research! The biggest pos about a 305 is the stock cam.

And a 3.4? you must be joking! Mod a 3.4 then put the same money into a 305..

BTW you must be a v6 guy huh?

 

The other detail for the engine swap lies out back
Gas tank.
Change to the older style due to your tank has the electric fuel pump assembly.
Pressure regulators cost close to $200 to bring down to 5-7PSI pressure. I checked these prices when converting my Blazer to 3.4 power and seeked to use a spare fuel pump I had.
Motor mounts shouldn't be a challenge at all, hit up the yards and as advised, make sure you use the correct frame locations and good GM issued bolts.
Your answer for the engine size (305/350) can easily be solved by the BLOCK CASTING NUMBER on the driver side of the block, rear of motor, by distubitor area.
Take that information to GM Dealer & they can help ya for the answer or just ask on the V8 section side.
YET a 90 IROC mill SHOULD be of 350 size.
Emissions & Stuff.
People LOSE JOBS SO before ya totally commit to this retro swap, atleast find out the "rules" so IF ya ever find yourself one day hunting for smog stickers....
IN CA the smog people go by the vehicle VIN and that says on our V6 rides, powered by V6. If the testing smog people open and see a V8, well......
Power build ups of 305 vs 350.
As you mentioned about V6 build ups vs V8 build costs & effectivness.....
A 305 will "make" power when throwing money at it.
305 blocks are limited by the bore size, smaller than 4.000
As with a 2.8-3.1 situation, that can't become a 3.4 due to lack of engine metal, for the cylinder boring process.
A 350 will make definetly more power than a 305, with speed parts thrown at it.
This is a realistic response, not for flaming.
Intakes and such.
IT WOULD BE WISE TO seek out the 305 older style 4 barrel stuff from back then.
SHOULD BE found for next to free.
That can be what ya seek (older easy to adapt power induction system), with EASY provision to be converted to smog legal.
Add smog style 3rd Gen headers & an updated exhaust system & you are "done".
The older style carb & distb. are MATHCING unit. The carb is a feedback carb & distb. sends the signal.
In end, ya got a screaming deal for the pennies spent. You can easily sell the V8 stuff ya not use for the purchase price of entire package. The end result should be real sanitary for max miles of smiles.
Spend your Hi Po money on rebuilding the foundation of your ride or this spare V8 Tranny ya now got lying around.
Before ya go buying stuff, check the angle of the TPI intake mounting bolts. Either will be angled & I believe 12 or straight up & 8. IF the later, ya need a specific intake, about $200 new from Edelbrock. If older style, I picked up that style intake for about $25. 4BBL Carb & distributor were also $25. Easy to clean up and make operational for low cost.
I was designing the Blazer for a 350 carb powered CA Smog Legal V8 swap and I still have those parts.
Blazer went the 3.4 route, so much easier for me & smog passing right now.
You can do this swap, plan and keep asking. Right now your car moves, keep planning before ya lift that wrench.
Nice neighbor.
Did ya take him to Pat's or Ginos to thank him for his neighborly kindness!
Hit up that local Bristol Contemporary Corvette wrecking yard for some V8 Hi Po parts. I'll bet ya can easilly score the frame mounts there. Tell them the guy that visits them from CA sent ya.

 

No, not only the stock cam, the bore size. Can't put 350 heads on them sonny, it won't work!

And a 3.4? you must be joking! Mod a 3.4 then put the same money into a 305..

Same logic can be applied for 305/350. Problem is you have less options to chose from. I'll go one better, lets put the same amount of money for each motor and see who wins, OK?

BTW you must be a v6 guy huh? [/QUOTE]

Well, actually both, but what does that have to so with the price of a cup a coffee?

You want to flame me, go right ahead I'm not trying to sound like a no-it-all or the last word on small block Chevies, but facts are
facts.

If you really believe that everything you can do with a 350 can also be done with a 305, then you must have some good source or 305 performance parts or the laws of physics don't apply to whatever goes under your hood.

The motor is such a dog aftermarket manufacturers don't even waste the effort for puting out hipo parts for it. Why bother when
you can swap all the externals on to a 350?

Supply and demand will be your problem too. Cost of kits for upgrading these motors will be more than the 350.

Also, you didn't mention what the mileage was on this $300 motor. If' its a '90, I would guess it has to be near 100,000? If it is I don't feel your getting much of a bargain.

Sounds to me like you haven't done too much research into this and your calling me clueless. Fine , it's your money. Iv'e had experience with both motors so i'm just passing it along.

 

x55Cam: if you cant put 350 heads on a 305 why does the same edelbrock head fit from 302-400 ? the chey v8 block is the same from like to be safe ill say 70 to 94 i think you should go pick up some books on the sb chevy


the problems with the 305 are the cam and heads the heads have huge chambers that lower the compression to like 8.5:1 and the cam is a small grind i put a cam in my 305 and got it down to 14.20 with a fresh chain (there is a guy on here with a white that has a 305 that runs 11's)


KED85 the tank is the same why swap it ? the electric pump is better than a mechanical pump specially if it gets the spray and the reg is $74.99 for summit

 

KED , thanks for your ,as always, good helpful advice. The guy gave me the motor mounts too. And i found a 3 port afpr at summit for $75. It has the return line and all , adjustable from 3 to 7 psi.

Right now this is going to be a low $ swap as im still unemployed (wonderful econ isnt it? ) but later ill be modding the engine.


I had the code checked alreay and its a 350 but if it was a 305 i would of still taken it. Motor is in great shape. Now i just need to get the tpi stuff off and get pics taken.


Yeah a 350 will make more pwer then a 305 with the same $ thrown at it. And maybe i shoulda been more specific about the mods with a 350 vs a 305.
But to say i woulda been better with a 3.4? Uh no!

NOt directed at you KED, but it amazes me how the v6 guys say the 350 will make more power because of bore size etc then the 305 when you tell them the same thing about the v6 vs v8 they get all pissed.

Btw the guy said he has a firebird in his yard and i can have anything i want off of it

 

Detail on the fuel pump in the current 85 V6 gas tank.
The V6 MPFI PSI is 45 PSI
TO LOWER THE CURRENT PRESSURE DOWN TO 5-7PSI, you need a regulator.
The key words I am using is "to lower pressure to...."
I discovered this detail when I was pressure regulator shopping hoping to use my Opel Bosch Electric Fuel Pump (external mount with filter) which kicks out 45PSI.
In end, on my Blazer (w/3.4, remember that block AS YOUR NEW FRIEND THE 350TPI, also has no mechanical pump provision) I have installed a Carter electric fuel pump and a fuel pressure regulator of 3 - 5.5PSI. My carb & engine are just happy now.
To lower that pressure from 45 PSI down to 3-7PSI equals a large cost. Adapt a stand alone electric fuel pump from Carter (the best out there for atleast 75,000 miles usage), Conversion cost me $65.
Check out by speaking to vendor. If ya find different, let me know!
I was quoted over $200 for that pressure lowering gadget.
The 305 is limited in power by the bore size.
Due to bore size, ya need "a certain designed" head.
YET adapting a 264-400 cylinder head to a 305 is simple as bolt these, what, 8-10 head bolts down. It's a used engine, who knows the "true past".....
Ya scored big time.
Know the end result smog rules (seriously the EPA is demanding clean air action coming to your town, soon, like stuff in CA!!), build your V8 swap that way, retro to a 1985 V8 305 4bbl carb version under hood inspector, can't tell a thing (305 vs 350), add headers, be gone! Retro to old style gauge hook ups, be done!
The mid 80s Chevy factory 4bbl intake is "identical in performance" as an aftermarket piece. It's the exhaust that is restrictive, as in a V6.
Buy the best quality headers ya can and best pipe work, too. V8 pipes drag real low. Go thru a Hi Po CC if ya can won't loose any true power.
Keep planning
I envy ya cause ya can actually build a decent old style hot rod back there for cheap!
But I'll take the rust free fenders any day!
You do know you have a roller motor, right?

 

Thanks KED, yeah i wish I didnt have the rust problem here. Esp in the winter!

Im going to sell the TPI stuff and get what i can to get the motor in and running, hopefully ill find half decent work soon and then the fun begins!

Headders ,complete exhaust redone new and bigger, msd etc.

Yep i knew it was a roller the night the guy bought it around, i was checking the thing out till late at night

It just feels good to be able to have parts aval to mod the motor that are not ridiculous vs the power they bring.

So now i have power plus the looks of a standard firebird. I've always liked the standard firebird look!

 

ked they are only really getting **** on the newer cars besides getting inspection done here is really simple if you know the right people yeah i would take a rust free old car any day of the week believe me if i live out west i wouldnt even bother building a thirdgen i would build a first or something from the 50's but i live here and the parts for them are nuts if they are clean

 

I know of an original 1955F150 Ford Pick-Up 3-Speed & Flathead for sale. Damn thing still runs too! All metal.
You guys are lucky on the smog stuff.
Enjoy the project.
The TPI set up should bring ya about $500 - $700.
Now find me a center & a passenger side tail light assembly standard style.
As soon as I got funds, I get me the factory spoiler!
Then as soon as I get more funds, I get new rear hatch struts.
You guys are lucky on the smog stuff.
Don't knock the factory distributor & $35 remote ACCEL coil set up for ignition power. Spend all your money on the V8 exhaust to get it right & rattle free tight.

 

You can put 305's on a 350 but not the other way.

Maybe I wasn't too clear as to what I was pointing out but, sure you can put 350 heads on a 305 but, one good reason why it's a waste of time is the bore size of the 305 which is 3.73" compared to a bore of 4.0". The chamber size of the 350 head will 'overlap' 4.00" bore causing the valves to slap against the cylinder walls. 1.94" valves may work but you'll be losing compression anyway so it's a bit a waste of time. Forget about using 2.02s

You can make a 305 run very decent to some extent but compared to a 302/327/350/400 SBC family, it just doesn't cut it.

 

Assuming it was reasonable, I would just go with the TPI. Less maintaince, better performance.

But who doesnt love the look of a 4 barrell holley sitting atop a polished edelbrock manifold

 

Alright, let me know how many problems you run into since it seems to you this is gonna be a drop and go thing, oughtta be interesting...

 

BTW, you still need a HEI distributor. Various vacuum lines, like I said, should be interesting how much stuff your gonna run into on the way.

 

woohoo a dist, $90 new.

Vaccum lines you say? OMG those are so pricy these days! lol

Their is no "stuff" to run into. Stop taking it so personal because i dont want the TPI.

Their is no problem converting to carb. I know alot of people who have done it.

 

I dont have problems with anyone. Sure you may see a thread were i argued with some half whit who doesnt have a clue about what hes saying. Like one guy here who argues how great the 2.8's are but back a couple of months ago(before he did his 3.4 swap) He was telling someone to get a 3.4 from a firebird and not a camaro because "THE ONES IN THE FIREBIRDS ARE FASTER DUDE" Even though its the same motor!!! DUH, yeah im not on to baby sit the retarded.

I gave you examples as to why i want to go carb. You have not given me a serious reason why not to other than gas usage.

Then you say "your not too bright" and "your gonna have problems"

Yeah i see that im the one with the issues here.

Maybe that T shirt is a little tight on your head man.

Why sell a Perfectly good TPI setup? Simple because i can....

Same reason why anyone does what they do.

I have searched this site and others and i have made the choice that carb is a better choice for me.

 

Well I definatley didn't mean it in a bad way as far as the bright issue, more like a bad decision and I apologize for wording it that way. Anyways, you'll also have to worry about emission while running the carb whether that is a problem for you or not. I still feel its a poor decision.

 

I sold the TPI stuff and ecm for what i paid for the motor and trans. I have a new 650 mech second carb waiting yo go into the motor. I'll soon have a hei vaccume advance dist and a edelbrock high rise manifold from a friend. The mallory afpr is on order from summit. So far the only thing i need is some exhaust stuff. If all goes well and the weather stays good ill have the v8 in next week .

Also this motor is SOOOO clean! After removing the TPI manifold i took a look inside the lifter valley. Its so clean you can run your hand inside and it comes out clean! NO carbon at all!!

 

Sweet.... roller 350 is always fun

 

A SLIGHT suggestion...
This point may go towards the "typical TGO".......
I'd strongly suggest
Rochester Carb of atleast 750CFM
Edelbrock 3101 or 2101 intake.
A 650 w/Mechanical secondaries & a single plane intake is not a happy camper driving on "city streets".
As soon as I went to my suggested combo back in the early 80s after I got my 1967 RS/SS 350 Camaro Convert 4-speed, the driving world became much more civilized, going toward each stop light. My Camaro came to me with a Scorpion intake and a Holley 3310 750, lousy combo on the street, until 3500RPM, then car "worked right". Pissed I sold my Scorpion intake, tho! Only $100 to buy one back, tho, big deal.
The Rochester carb will also INCREASE your gas milage, too. Very small sized primary & MONSTER sized secondaries.
NO shame in using a Rochester, at all.
Go to Contemporary Corvette & just go grab some of that stuff for cheap!
Swap meets sell this combo for pennies. I've picked up used intakes for free or towards the $30 range. Carbs for about $5-ish. MAY be wise to go grab an Edelbrock Rochester carb, new. Intakes "never" age (notice quotes, all, cause yes, I do have "some" damage on my 2101 & 3701 intakes).
Real good score for ya, tho! Free low milage engines! are the best!

 

Well the carb is new and well recomended by some hated by others. The intake im getting for cheap. This motor swap is really very low budget as im still out of work. Later once the employment situation changes ill change things on/with the motor. Right now i just wanna get it in and running and have a good starting point.

the 2.8 feels like its running on 3 cyls, nothing like it used to be, has to be prev owners neglect as i have always taken care of the motor.

 

IT'S TIME YA HIT THOSE SWAP MEETS
YA should make it out to Englishtown Raceway Swap meet real soon for your goodies.
I once bought a carb for $2.
I offered the selling price (in Hemmings) of this carb of $400.
Sold it for $300 & delivered it, too.
What was it?
A Holley 3310 with GM Part number stamped on it.
A 1969 Build date.
Application-
GM stamped part number for a 1965 Chevelle Z-16. Only 201 cars made.

 

some pics

 

I polished the carb and manifold with a drill and a dremel. From bottom of the manifold to the top of the carb i have 10 inches thats including the 3/4 inch adapter . We (z28guy and me ) measured and i have 12inches to play with. So ill have to get a drop base air cleaner. I need to go get basic tune up parts and a motor mount, then wait till summit sends me the afpr i ordered and ill be set.


Also KED sadly i dont think the 2.8 would make it to englishtown. The rocker arm nuts are loosening VERY fast. Im not about to replace ANYTHING on this motor either.

 

Very wise logic on the 2.8