Alright, so I've got an 88 Camaro RS with a 305 in it; fuel injected and all. My plan (scheduled to this upcoming spring) is to have a 350 installed in place of my 305 to give me a little more kick. I'm not going to say I'm oh-so knowledgeable on engines, because that's entirely not the case, and I'll be learning how to build one in the spring from a Master Mechanic/Machinist. I believe I'm running of a TBI as far as injection goes, and the 350 with all new parts, assembled, and bored out (to what degree I'm not sure, so I'm sorry if this information is somewhat vague. I think my dad said it was .30 over, but I can't confirm on that.)

I have a series of questions that I'd like to ask all of you so I might be on my way to having a fairly decent 1988 Camaro. A 305 is by no means a terrible engine; and I don't hate it at all, but I'd like to be able to keep up with my friend who's got a 94 Z-28 - and that just isn't happening right now.

1) What are the pro's and con's when it comes to Fuel Injection versus Carburated? I'm not very educated in this field, so any help would be appreciated.
2) What kind of headers would you guys advise that I get that you know are reliable and give me a fair increase in horsepower?
3) Since I'll have the engine physically out of the car, what would you guys advise I put money to upgrade on? Meaning - what would be the best idea to invest money into until the next time I pull the engine for remodding or what have you. What parts should I be looking into for the greatest performance jump for a (reasonable) price?
4) Are there any suggestions you guys have as far as exhaust goes? I have a flowmaster muffler, but I need to get a high-flow cat put in just because I know the 80's exhaust systems were very strict.
5) Electronics-wise, are there any modifications or differences I should be aware of? I'd hate to figure out the new 350 I'm getting won't like the computer the car has in it. Is it better to leave that in, or strip it?



Sorry it's so ungodly long. I just have alot of questions I need to have answered so I form an opinion on where I should start. Yeah - my uncle will install all this for me, but he might not necessarily make it run as good as I want it to simply because I didn't offer the parts when the 350 gets installed.

Any other thoughts, ideas, or advice is very much appreciated. I'm very new to engine modification; but I'd like to bring some respect to my car and make it run as good as it sounds, and not just have it as a all-show-no-go. Once again, thanks alot guys. Your opinions count here, because I've got to have all this planned out before installation. That and - I would rather spend a little extra money on performance parts than buy some crappy factory-stock parts that don't offer any plusses to it, yet drain a considerable amount of money from my wallet. I'm nineteen, I work part-time, and I go to school - so it's not easy scrounging up alot of money Anyways, fire away. I'm going to copy and paste all that I see is posted so I have some [decent] references to look up to, and have something to provide to my uncle so I can get a fresh install that works properly, and provides a substancial amount of horsepower gain.

Thanks again guys.

 

Also - some other various information that I forgot to mention that's more than likely very important..

The engine itself I'm not sure how old it is. My dad told me he pulled a bunch of engines out of some old cars, and that it's a 4-bolt main. That's all I know about the block; aside from the fact it's being rebuilt and all.

The guy I bought my car off of said the car was completely stock except for the rear gears, which came off a Z-28 (supposedly.) Changing and adjusting the gears can give me better torque, but how much would parts cost for that? Might as well get that done while I'm at it.

 

More like the computer not liking the 350 and exhaust you're going to put with it.

Go to the TBI forum. Most of your questions are answered in the stickies at the top of that forum.