First of all I would like to say hi to everyone and have been viewing this site for a while but this is my first post.

I just bought a 1989 2.8l firebird t-bar roof. I've always loved these cars but have been into motorcycles and couldn't afford 2 hobbies. Now I'm giving up the bikes and pursuing my other passion firebird's.


Now the updates on the car. I just bought a rebuilt carburated 305 from the dealer here in my city. So engine is done and ready. Went to junkyard today picked up tranny out of chevy van. Tranny check. Front coils are on order, I want to go new with these incase of a weak one. Coils Check.

Got a new water Pump good to go there. Still have some small stuff to pick up yet rad,fan is going dual electric etc.

I'm going to get some pics up tomorrow and keep you posted on the transformation. I have about $1100.00 invested so far in the switch. I am really excited and my wife is really p!#!@ off lol.

 

Hey, i'm pretty new here myself. Sounds like a good project you got goin. Got any pics of the bird? Lemme know, good luck with the project man.

 

Well sorry still no pics hopefully tomorrow. Running around with my head cut off getting this thing ready to go.

Picked up a set of shorty headers today a holly carb, the collectors down to 21/2, got my plugs BOSCH Platnum $14.99 a piece yuck! Also picked up rad.

Installed stereo today also had cutum box built for the trunk with 12 inch kicker subs 2 600 watt sony amps 250 watt 6x9's and have to pick up my 2400 watt pyramid amp on Friday.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get the parts and car all in one place and snap a few pics. I really have to much going on at once with this thing lol but I love it.

Went and priced body and paint for it also. For what I want looking at $4000.00.

Well back to the garage.

 

lol, ya, looks like your off to a pretty good start. what color or design are you getting the car painted with? get those pics when ya can. what else do ya got planned for it?

 

Can anyone tell me, I have a 86 camaro z28 with a 305 auto trans. Will a 1969 327 bolt up to the trans? Do any of the years change in bolting up?
Thanks

 

I am almost positive that 327 will bolt up. But not 100% but I am 99.9 lol. Put another post up asking in the transmission section to confirm. If noone replies to it I'll ask at work tomorrow and get back to ya.

 

it'll bolt up. been plentty of 327 pissing mathes posts here.

i'll assume you read the v6-v8 sticky. the swap i sistraight forward, even when goinig from newer v6 to older 305.

 

Just have to ask, but why spend all of that money on a 305 from a dealer, and then put performance parts on it? Why not just get a better engine from the beginning to put your performance parts on?

 

HAHA I know what you are saying but I think I have a semi sensible answer to your question.

First off I have a BMW 323 twin turbo that goes like a mother f@$er when I want speed. I don't think I could dump enough money into my firebird to get the same performance.

Next a 305 I want as a sleeper. When you tell the 350 boys you have a 305 they give you that look. You know the one I mean. Well fellas I know you already know this but for less then $800.00 you can make a 305 out perform a stock 350. I said stock. So there is the sleeper aspect.

Next I got the engine from the dealer rebuilt top and bottom end for $300.00. That is right no oil or gas has been in this sucker yet. It is brand new.

Once again I want a car for me with the rumble done the way I want it. Hence the headers Carb and everything else. But fellas I will not buy a thing for the engine that will not bolt on to a 350 for later on down the road.

Hope noone took offence to this. I by no means meant any. But that is why I am going 305 instead of 350. I'll be around here for a while in a couple of years this thing will have 2 jet engines attached to it just give me time lol.
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On another note ordered my rubber today. For the rear 255/60/15 and for the front 235/60/15 Bridgestone. $383 for the rear and $333 for the front. I promise to have pics up by Friday that is when rubber comes in and I want before pics. In 3 months you won't believe it was the same car.

 

Well an update.

Decided to go with a 327 instead. For anyone that is going from a V-6 to a V-8 here is what I suggest. It is damn expensive. You need to change everything because different connectors on the v-6. Better off selling the v-6 and starting with a v-8.

But boy I am having fun doing this.

First off had to dress the engine because again it was a rebuild and came bare. First problem I ran into was getting the old motor mounts off. After some severe cursing and a 6 pack later it was done lol. Everything seemed to bolt onto the engine nicely until it came to the starter. That starter is my arched nemesis I swear. On my third attempt I finally bought the offset bolt pattern one and it went in like butter. But with the other style I must of had about 30 shims on it at one point lol and was still off half an inch.

I replaced the speedometer hookup from my old transmission and put it on the 700 r4, and also my old drive shaft fit perfect. I got lucky there.

Once the engine was dressed with the tranny attached, it was time to put it in. We hoisted it in the air and damn what a tight fit with the headers on there.

That is where I am at now. Tomorrow morning I'll take about 2 hours to wire it up. Dump the fluids to her. And let the praying begin.

I do have a couple of questions though. I'm taking this to the exhaust shop to get the true duals done. Is there any harm done in driving this with just the headers on. I mean just to the shop. I know it is going to be loud as F@#$ and the whole cop thing. But will it hurt the engine with no back pressure.

 

It just may get a little hot under your car but for a short trip i would not sweat it. The backpresure will be fine (you'll probably pick up a few extra hp on the top end, LOL). My only concern would be passing by a cop who is having a bad day, because your car is going to by very very loud even in low cruising speeds.

Good luck,

Pat

 

first of all i was wondering if the 700r4 u got from the van had a mount on the tail for the "stableizer"(?) bar that runs along the drive shaft? also when i swapped from my 3.1 to my 350 in my 91 i didn't have any problem with electrical fittings for sensors or anything and thought the swap was moderatly easy, but no shops around would put duals on it for me so i had to do it myself.......they all said it was agaoinst the law for them to but i live in ohio and its prolly different where u live

 

a lot of shops wont put true duals on. but a lot of smaller shops will if its off the books and they are paid cash. i dont suggest you do anything "illegal" just stating what ive run into. as far as the stabalizer mount you should be able to swap the tailhousing on it if it didnt have the mount. I honestly have no experience with the 700r4 though. my camaro had a 200r4? in it and I swapped in a th350. had to get a tailhousing with the mount for it.

 

In Iowa the shops can't put the exhast on without having a cat in the exhaust. Now, the functionability and actual condition of the cat....well, most shops don't care, it just has to be there, and we had one put flanges on it, and weld up a cut out with flanges the same length. Then when the exhast cooled off we pulled the gutted cat off of the car and put the cut out in its place for cruising fun, and taking it to the drag strip.

 

I took the tail housing off of my old transmission and placed it on the 700R4. As for the connections it could be because it was not the original 2.8 in the car. I am having a hell of a time with the electrical lol. I need a distribuatar cap 2 fuel lines, a dipstick, and an oil cap and this project is complete now. The problem is I can only work on it on the weekends.

As for the exhaust I'm thinking running tailpipes out behind the rear wheels and yes true duals. I have a friend at the muffler shop so shouldn't be a problem. Also I am putting 2 cherry bombs on the straight pipes but not welding them so they can be removed when the popo tell me to do so.

 

Well engine is in and fired right up. But I need a rad. The one I got the filler spout was to high. Anyone know off hand what vehicles will fit in a 1989 firebird? I was at the scrap yard but no luck. If I knew I could find one. Want to get her home so I can put the exhausts on and get her in for paint.

 

Couple more questions fellas.

My battery in my car, it is the same. Should I need another one with more cranking amps or it should be fine. My buddy asked me and I'm not sure so I thought I'd ask.

Next couldn't get a rebuilt starter, so took the one off my 2.8, turns it over fine but wondering if it will burn out quicker or what is the deal with that. They had no cross bolt pattern rebuilt starter's.

Next tranny won't work until lines are hooked up to rad right or wrong? reason I'm asking is it is in park now and can push the car backwards and forwards. If not, it's not a big deal just have to get back in the pit and adjust transmission.

Suggestions on what to do with all the extra wiring. ex. throttle body etc. Now that it is carb'd should I just cut everything off or tie it up?

Last how about that radiator any word yet????

 

Hey Steve

1) Get tranny fluid going before running engine. Without fluid in TQ converter you will fry tranny pump - just ask Jessie James from MG in Iraq. So connect to your radiator for now until you get larger unit.

2) On my 'Beast' 350 uses offset mount starter. When I put headers stock starter was less than an inch away from collector - not good. I end up buying Powermaster #9612 120 ft-lbs, 168 tooth, adjustable - it is much smaller than stock and allows for plenty of clearance. Just count your flywheel teeth count.

3) Go to a larger battery if you can. You can go to next group size and still fit

4) Save EFI harness if you have to convert to EFI in the future.

 

for the radiator, I couldn't find any crossover vehicle when I did the swap, but new ones are only like $110 at AZ.

 

Alright, car is home now. I have the exhaust on. But I am having some problems. Hope someone can help.

1. After riding car for a while and you shut it off. You have to wait for it to cool down before it will start again. Anyone know why?

2. I can start car and pull away like a bat out of hell. For about 100ft. After that seems like some kind of fuel problem. Can barley give it any gas. If you give it gas it bogs out and stalls. ????

I know the timing is not perfect yet. I just got it home with exhaust today. Really happy about that. 3 inch pipe all the way back. Car sounds awesome. Now I just have to work out the bugs but any help would be appreciated.