I have a 91' Trans-Am with the vin F 305 TPI engine. It has 167k. The body has had major work about 5 years ago and looks almost new. Mechanically is another issue. At 104k the trans was rebuilt, wasn't right (failed) and was redone half assed by the rebuilder at 105k. The trans has never been right since. Recently I had the pan pulled and the new trans shop I went to that's supposed to be really good said that the pan was full of metal and to just run it until it fails. The engine has been using about 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. There is always a white or maybe blue white smoke from the exhaust. I've done oil and filters every 3k since I brought the car at 55k, but I fear the rings may be shot. Although, I thought maybe the valve seals just got worse, but i'm just not sure. My goal would be to go from the stock HP of 205-230 (I forget the spec) to maybe 305-325HP.

I have heard a lot of different ideas, here are the front runners.

1) Rebuild the 305 while the trans is out and call it a day. Or, maybe just try fixing the valve seals only and see if that helps.

2) Buy a crate motor from Summit, 350 and a good aftermarket high performance head. They claim this is a lot cheaper than the ZZ4 and "will run over 300hp all day long on seven cylinders" for half the cost of the ZZ4 and will work with the TPI and most of the stock components for maybe $2000-2500.

3) Get the ZZ4 or other crate motor. I have been looking into this part time for years, and I still can't figure out if the ZZ4 can be built up to work with the factory TPI and pass emissions. I kow it comes assembled for a 4bbl carb and is recommended for cars before 1974.

I don't want to spend a fortune, and i'm not real big on any major surprises or problems. Does anyone have a ZZ4 sitting under a factory TPI unit, and if so does it run okay?

I know a fair amount about dealing with the computer and have read on this type of swap since the first article they did the swap on the 84' Camaro with that dog (LO3 maybe?) TBI engine to the first ZZ engine. And I still can't figure it out 100%. A complete parts list (and list of mods) for a ZZ4 swap with TPI would be awesome, if it exists. Or, if someone built up an engine from Summit parts, I would like to know that too.

I hear over and over that nothing you can build will be as good as a ZZ4...

Any and all info. GREATLY appreciated.

Lee B.

 

Not me personally, but a bud does. Figure on some PROM tuning. He used a Big Mouth Vette base for the EGR function.

If you just want a good-running L98-type engine, my brother dealt with these guys http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/...07105059842.48 . He's happy.

 

Thank you for your suggestion. I called them today and they seem like a really good company and i'll definately consider using them.

According to them a 305 to 350 swap with their engine would cost about $1600 for the long block before labor, and would end up putting out about 280-300HP without any major mods to the rest of the computer or fuel system.

How would something like this compare to to Jasper engine?

Thanks!

Lee

 

Jasper is pretty proud of their stuff.

 

Jasper's engine is abour $400 more right now, the other source you cited above is on "sale" right now for $1200. Is Jasper that much better? Does anyone have an opinion?

 

one word of advice for japser stuff, check it thoroughly before you take it home. make sure nothing was installed incorrectly... i had fun with a jasper transmission coming expecting it to be good according to my buddy at advanced auto parts who is a transmission specialist. japser installed a 700-r4 converter on a th350 along with the tail housing had to be rotated 180* seeing as how it leaked and the speedo connect was on wrong side. i will never order jasper again, it was just a good thing we bought the th350 since it was a good deal, like $600 reman. ...just my .02

 

Jasper seems to treat wholesale installers well. The retail outlets don't seem to get the same quality, based on comments that have been made around here.

Search the Aftermarket Vendor forum for more info.

 

Thanks very much for your .02! I'm not hearing anything too good about Jasper so far, and when I called them the sales rep. sounded like a recording and was not very helpful at all.

They couldn't tell me anything about their engines for my car except that the one option was close to stock, and the second performance option might be "a little better than stock."

Plus, they wanted $1900-2300 for their engines, depending on which one I wanted. The 305's were actually more expensive than the 350's, but if you didn't have a 350 to turn in for a 305 that would cost you too.

I was less than impressed...

Lee B.