So here is my problem. I have an 89 firebird formula ws6. I like the car. It has a t5 5spd. The motor is nocking real bad. it is a 5.0 TPI motor. I'm sure I spun a bearing. I need to get her runnig again. What are my optins for an engine swap, that are fairly easy. I was thinking maybe a 5.7 litre vette motor, same year. I don't want to mess with any of the computer stuff and this car is going to get smogged. Please drop me any advise. And I don't want to sink money into the 5.0 in rebuilding it.

 

Basically any 350 that has a cam that is TPI-friendly. '87-up heads will have the same intake bolt angles as you've got. The Vette TPI is slightly different due to the aluminum heads. If you get the Vette engine TPI and all, that won't be an issue. Being same year is about the least important factor.

'89 is the MAF TPI system, so PROM tuning isn't as critical going from 305 to 350 as it is with the SD TPI systems.

 

So then what would I have to get to make the swap work? Other than the long block. I have 5.0 TPI for the engine now. All the accessories are the same, oil pan is the same. What about sensors and stuff. Is the computer going to work if I just swap out the 5.0 block for the 5.7 vette block? And the leave the TPI intake stuff the same? Or do I need a 5.7 TPI computer?

 

It will run okay with your 305 PROM. It would run better with 22 lb 350 injectors, and better with 350 knock sensor & module. Even better with a 350 PROM.