I just bought an 89 Camaro RS as my Project Drag Car.
Basically, the car came with the original 85,000 miles 305 V8 motor, which will not be there for very long, and the body is in pretty decent shape.

I will try to post some pics soon, and will keep you guys posted throughout my process...

Still haven't decided yet, what motor I will be putting in, but I had some thoughts on a 383/350TH combo.


Parts are on the way...

 

Welcome aboard.

You have emissions compliance requirements in Vegas, correct? If so, you'll have to retain the TBI system (upgraded, of course), or go with a TPI or other later EFI system in order to be legal.

A popular 383 choice is a stroked LT1. That system can handle the displacement fairly easily. But, TBI can be made to do the job as well.

Any particular reason for the TH350? Especially if this is a driver, the lack of overdrive will get old quickly. TH700's can be made to handle 383 power (I've seen several behind 454's), or for a really wiz-bang setup, go for a 4L80E - TH400 with overdrive, lock-up torque converter. It's electronic control, but aftermarket controllers are available.

 

Hello again. This car will be my Drag car, and a weekend beater.
I am not looking in particular for any conviences on the street, and it will be mostly at the track.
I have already stripped the interior, and I am in the process of working on taking the tranny out.

What would be the best motor/tranny combo. to go with?

Thanks

 

Not having to license it makes a big difference. Guess I shouldn't have assumed that.

I assume you aren't planning on any type of restricted class racing (there I go again), otherwise you wouldn't be asking about a motor. So, all you should have to be concerned with is meeting the safety restrictions for the time/speed you'll be running.

If you keep the ET above 11.49 sec in the quarter at NHRA tracks, you won't need a cage. If you're looking at something faster than that, then you've got other considerations to address.

Are you wanting to build something yourself, or find a complete engine? Your basic 350 can be made to make a lot of power. Or, 383's are very popular and available. From what I've seen of 400's, you're better off using an aftermarket block rather than trying to find a factory block that will take the punishment of racing (although many have).

Or, if you're willing to do the stuff required for the faster cars, a big block 454 or larger will provide plenty of scoot. That's getting into a whole different set of issues, but it's possible.

 

Im a big fan of 400s,but I understand their quite hard to come up with in some parts of the country.Not Knocking a 383,But a bigger bore is a bigger bore,better breathing.Just look for a good block,without core shift,that will clean up at 4.165,max.Some 400s will go 60 over,but very few.The biggest downfall of a stock 400 block is that the rear main cap is not doweled,and the threads in the deck(where the heads bolt on) are a little weak.Spend the money to stud/line hone the mains,and run head studs,and the GM block will live to a great power level.

I personally preach subframe connectors AND a cage in a drag car.It was well worth it in my car just for the stiffness,but my car is a T top car.As far as I'm concerned,a cage is worth it's weight in safety at any speed,you just never know what could happen,and I feel much better knowing I have it.

A TH350 will serve you well for a trans,but you'll have to address the rear axle once you start hooking good.I stuck with the 10 bolt and beefed it a piece at a time,and have had good luck with it.But that's not to say that I wouldn't like to have a 9",it was just an issue of a lump sum vs. a hundred here and two hundred there.If you can afford it,go for a 9",you'll never break it and there's no end to the parts you can get for them.

Other than that,I'd ditch the front sway bar,swap on a manual steering box,and invest in some good drag shocks.The rest will just come as you tune it,which will happen when you get your 60' times on paper

 

thanks for the repiles guys, and I guess that I have some more thinking to do.
I liked the idea of an old school 250 bored to a 383 carbed.
NO wires, nothing.
I have already stripped out the car, and will have a shop weld the roll cage for me, while everything is out of the car.

This is my first motor swap. Would you have any tips for me?
Web sites, books, etc.?

Is carb. the way to go?, and what has to be done during the swap to fit the 350 and the 350TH?

My goals are to have a weekend beater, and a 10 sec. motor, 9 sec. bottle drag car..

Is it possible?

Thanks again,

Shai

 

572!!!! 720 hp on 92 octane.....thats always good