I just pulled the old and tired 305 out of my 86 auto camaro z28. I have been thinking about an engine to put in this car for some time now and I am stumped. I have been looking at these gm motors zz4 and the zz385 and also the 350 ho 330hp engine . I like the idea of a new engine not rebuilt one as of today though I may change my mind on this. should I ditch my tpi as I feel the expense it would impose to obtain the horsepower ratings of these engines would be huge hence the mini ram, or oversized runners, larger base plate, prom tuning ect....
what will I get for fuel milage with a 600, 650, or 750 carb with these engines? (this is my big worry). I will be runing 3.73 gearing with 700r4. I will be driving this car april through november in maine with my wife and two kids on occasion. The temps will range 40-100 plus degrees. I am not familiar with carb cars so much... I need more than 10 miles per gallon. please advise me to do the right thing... I want more than a weekend warrior but I also want more power than a stock l98 or lb9 too. I am doing a complete exhaust with the engine also. all the work will be done labor free also. thanks.
Ryan

 

emission testing also is no issue in maine..

 

If you keep the TH700 (with improved stall and umph upgrades) and make provision for the torque converter lock-up, you can still maintain decent mileage. It probably won't be quite as good as a computer feed-back system would be, but still liveable.

Which of those engines you go with is pretty much up to you. Of course, the more you get the more you pay, and it isn't linear. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 650 carb with any of them assuming you go with a dual-plane intake manifold (a very good idea), and the ZZ motors would probably be happier with a 750 for the weekend duty.

FWIW, the SDPC Vortec TPI crate isn't a bad choice. For about the same price as you'd pay to get the ZZ385 in, you'd have a 350+ HP EFI set-up. I always say if you want Vortec heads and TPI, that's the way to go.

What did you have planned for exhaust?

 

a local shop in my area can build a 350 350hp for around 2000.00 with a warranty for 40000 miles or 4 years maybe I will do this instead. Carb or tpi what do you guys think? come on this is really getting to me....

 

If fuel economy and driveability are primary, keep the TPI.

If power and cost are the drivers, go carb.

It's not that you can't get power out of TPI, it's more the cost to get there. If you do keep it, you need to make that decision before the engine is assembled as cam choice is very important with TPI.

 

carb

 

I agree. I just purchased and edelbrock air gap rpm vortec intake along with a holley 750 dp 4779c. I am getting the gm 330ho. I got headman headers and y pipe. I had the headers coated also.
14x3 drop air cleaner on the way too. things are going to be fun this spring. power and performance magazine dynoed this engine with these headers and the holley 750 with the intake and made 370hp 409ft tq. this is my goal. they also did this with a muffler installed. they tried different cam profiles and made some more power but they admitted that the stock cam was excellent for the setup. they did some head work for valve clearance with the vortec heads with a roller cam and netted beter than 430. Though I am keeping mine around the 370hp mark for streetability. (vacuum at idle)

you guys know of anybody that needs a complete 1986 tpi setup with computer, 89 prom no vats, no cold start valve, no air programmed into it. I will be willing to sell the whole setup hey some can have my 305 too. new comp cam was just put in it with new double roller chain new valve seals compression all between 110-145.