i have a 1991 camaro rs i bought off of my uncle soon time ago. my uncles plan was to drop a new l98 350 in keeping the tbi in..... i can;t for the life of me find a new l98 small bare block. i have been told to go to a junkyard to find one. but i want new. so if i can;t get that then what should i do??? i want a 350 in there two bolt main. i want something rather easy but with some work invovled obviously. im novice and wanting to learn about these wonderful cars... i have studied this site for the past two weeks about two three hours a day reading up on things... i will not do prom buring i will find someone to do that for me.. but i want a 350 to completely build from scratch with all high performance mods that are available. but i still want to keep the tbi... i like that better then tpi and i don;t wanna dumb it down to a carb please help me and if possible a matching list to go along with what i will prolly need..

 

Not sure from "small bare block" just exactly what you are looking for. If you want a complete engine ready to bolt on the intake and accessories you can get something close to what you want new from GM. You can also get one from a rebuilder. Not a lot of flexability in either of these choices. You can find a 350 from any source 1988 or later and your intake will work. I don't know TBI so better to ask in that forum how to adapt your 305 intake and throtle body for the 350, but I think you can use the intake and throtle body from a 350 truck.

Choice providing the most flexability is to get a used engine and send it to the machine shop and have them do the work on the block and heads along with assembly if you are not comfortable with assembling the engine. This way you can pick your cam, where as with a complete engine purchase you get what you get and would have to change.

Everything on your engine now will fit the 350 provided it is of the year range mentioned above. You dont need an l98 unless that is just what you want, the l98 was the tpi engine and it is a little harder to find than a nonroller used engine.

There are some builders that provide a complete l98ish engine built from new parts. I don't know where you are but there is one of those places in Dallas. Use google and search engens and dallas and it will turn up. If not send me a PM and I will dig out the link.

What you want to do is not overly complex and is a good place to start the learning curve. Just don't get frustrated and give up. Once done it is a sense of accomplishment on par with doing that blonde cheerleader after the game.

 

im wanting to build the engine from scratch. using nothing but the headers on the 305. they will bolt on because they are headers for a 350 just modified. i just want new everything and im tryin to find someone to point me in the right direction.i know tbi's can be used on 350's but only using a truck intake and turck tbi. which in turn causes alot of prom problems from what i hear. i can;t stress enough the fact i wanna keep it looking like a carb without throwing a carb on it. but if someone could get a list of performance parts with the engine and a carb is included then i would prolly go that route... i just think tbi's are a one of a kind thing that i don;t wanna get rid of for a normal carb or orginal tpi. what kind of engine coudl i put it that would drop in still be able to keep everything(ac) and still go up to the engine mounts?

 

World Products offers new bare blocks, ~$1800 last time I checked. You can also get them from GM - however, they aren't "L98" blocks, and they aren't cheap. A reasonable alternative is to get an L31 shortblock from GM, then put whatever "high performance parts" you feel like putting in there. Or, get a ZZ4 shortblock, which already has them in there (although hypereutectic pistons instead of forged). The difference between those two blocks is nothing - they're the same casting. The ZZ4 has been machined for 4-bolt mains, though. If you're really wild & crazy, get the L31 and have splayed 4-bolt mains installed. However, the ZZ4 would be fine.

You don't have to put truck TBI manifolds on a 350. You should re-read the "TBI on a 350" threads on the TBI forum. Yes, some truck TBI parts can be used, but you don't "have" to use them.

You need to get over your phobia about PROM tuning. It isn't that bad, and is certainly easier than building an engine. It's the best way to get the most out of the engine, and the only way the TBI will be happy with most any high performance mod you make.

That being said, you could buy a complete ZZ4 engine and put it under the TBI. Then start PROM tuning.

 

ok so a zz4 wold drop right on in and bolt up?? i was thinking about a zz4 last night but wasn;t really to sure

 

would a 383 fit in with no problems im just tryin out my options... also with a carg i wouldn;t have to really about prom tuning would i?

 

How much engine assembly are you prepared to perform yourself? If you have the green, an assembled / balanced short block is a great foundation upon which to build. Or, you could order a ready to be assembled short block kit with your choice of internals. Your call. Chances are you'll change your mind a few times so my .02 worth is to research and spec out an entire motor build package, take your time, put it togeather on paper a couple of ways and keep in mind what you are trying to build within the reasonable limits of the tbi system without building something that will cost a bundle and may be un-driveable.

Dont forget to consider that other drivetrain components should be factored into your motor build / selection. Trans, converter, gears, fuel pump replacement etc. The chip you'll need can be custom burned for you based on the engine specs and all other mentioned items, at a reasonable cost.
TBI CHIPS or try TPI PARTS for further advice and costs.

Good luck

 

well i think im gonna go a simple route i think i9m gonna put a carb on instead of the tbi to bpass most prom mods. i just haven;t decided on the engine. 383 or a l31 350 or a zz4. im gonna a money flow coming in im sure but i wanna be able to build and and have something run that i made. the gratification is much sweeter from what i hear. is it worth going carb?? or tpi??? i really don;t wanna mess with computer that much. but other than that i still don;t know what i can build that will match right up with the engine mounts and not have theat much trouble with. im rebuilding the engine in my dodge (winter car of course) to get a feel for things but what engine would u guys recommend.

 

ive been dealing with Performance Engines : Custom Built GM LT1, Chrysler, Jeep Turn Key and Long Block Engines Specializing in LT1 Performance . They sell a TPI computer for their upgraded 350 TPIs. They also sell your "bare" (aka short block) or long block. The short block you can get pretty heavily re-enforced to handle up to over 600 hp (i think they sell up to 396-700 - don't quote me on that though). If you talk to Chad on the phone, he may be able to help you with the ECM if you go with the TPI. You should decide what you want too, that will help

 

DO NOT FEAR THE COMPUTER IN YOUR CAR!!! IF YOU CAN LOG ON HERE, YOU CAN DEAL WITH CHANGING A PROM!!!

Your 91 speedo...just to mention one item, get's it's signal from the ECM via the vehicle speed sensor in the trans... so what I'm getting at here is that you may need or want to leave the computer in the car to keep a few vitals functional....got it? You can go the carb route or tpi but when you begin to alter the orginal vehicle build you'll encounter a few challenges along the way that may keep you off the road longer or possibly cost you more $$ and greif than a simple mild tbi motor build. More on this below.

What kind of budget do you have set aside? $3500 (or hopefully more) for a complete motor? Or, $1500. Be real.

Since you asked...for opinions...here's a catalog tbi fed build suggestion. A new GM ZZ4 short block, $2350+-to the door. One set of .194 bowtie Vortec heads, PN #25534421*, $1000+-. Comp's roller cam & lifters, rockers, $650+-. Arp nuts & bolts, Mildon pan and pump, a new distributor, gasket set, wiring....etc. add $500-$1000+- to be safe. Most of these parts are available through Jegs or Summit. Some assembly required. Out source a set of 350 tbi injectors or have your tbi rebuilt locally. A new prom based on your motor profile from TBI Chips, $100.
*these heads are drilled for both intake styles and are available through GM perfromance parts dealers. They will allow you to re-use your GM tbi intake.

On the other hand... if you want to a complete ready to drop in and run, engine with tbi efi system that will cost about the same as the build above (or most mild custom builds), check out Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center spdc2000.com TBI Street Warrior Engines. A 275+ hp crate motor w/tbi system PN SD350TBI-1 for $4200. A 350+hp crate motor w/tbi system PN SD350TBI-2 for $5000. These motors with fuel systems will allow you to keep your 91 RS electronics and other power train systems intact! Not to mention put you back on the road sooner, and with a lot more power.

If you elect to go carbed or tpi...there are several good tech articles directly related to those topics on this board. Do a search, take your time.

 

where are you located? i have a long block, roller 350, out of an 89 iroc. will sell for 300.00. needs to be rebuilt. i'm in bakersfield, ca. ron09517@aol.com

 

well im pretty sure now what i am gonna build. still i haven;t quite figured wheather carb or tbi. i do have a site though if i go tbi.PCMforless.com</title>
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<title>Home - PCMforless.com i kinda like the looks of it anyone ever heard of this site just curious.im gonna build a zz4 350 crate with a 400 turbo tranny.its gonna be a 6-9 month project im gonna build outside of my car during winter days.(providing everything goes well) plus im gonna change the rear end to a 3.73 posi. then little odds and ends. then paint job from there and u bet im gonna take pictures in depth lol.could i get advantages and disadvantages of carbs and tbi's?