I have an 89 RS 305TBI(LO3)/700R4 just repainted and partially restored ( http://www24.brinkster.com/ezerner/red/red3.htm ) and I really want to get some more performance out of it. It doesnt have to be blazing fast, but id like it to be able to run at least mid 14s or better. Im trying to keep it as a driver that doesnt get horrible gas mileage ( I made a similar post a while back in the TBI section but didnt get much feedback)

One option is a guy not too far away (on this board) selling a 355 TPI motor and all the TPI wiring and ECM. Even after trying to find information I am confused about what this swap involves -- or if I could in fact just keep the TBI setup so I dont have to worry about swapping out the wiring. Which would be easier/better? Is tuning going to be a pain in the butt either way?

Ive also contemplated the carb option, or LT1, or just doing bolt-ons to the 305. I already have an LS1 so I am looking for something different (and less $$)

help/insight appreciated.

 

Your cheapest option woul dbe to retain TBI and pick a motor to go with it. You can mod your current 305 and then just transfer the parts to a larger motor down the road. Your car is plagued with many weak leaks and they need to be addressed before you add more cubes. You need a full exhaust from the headers back and you also need to upgrade the fuel pump. Suspension and gears should also be considred to make use of future power. The key to running a TBI set-up is proper fueling and chip tuning. TBI is not air flow limited but rather fuel limited. Chip work will need to be number one of your parts list or the car will never run the way it should. Fear not, if you can use a computer and have some basic common sense of how an closed loop engine works, you will be fine.

 

Ok, I like the option of doing some upgrades and then transferring over to a bigger motor. I have already done some some suspension work -- eibach proline's, kyb shocks & struts, and a spphn wonderbar and was planning for a 3" exhaust. A fuel pump was also part of the plan.

I must admit, tuning the car myself and the stuff I have read about the trial and error for tuning a TBI has me kinda turned off of that idea, but I guess if thats what I need to do thats what ill do.

Will a TBI fit on a TPI motor without too much modification? Like could I just find a 5.7 TPI at some point in the future and drop it in without too much trouble?