Hi im kinda new to the forum.My name is Jamie.I have a 91 firebird 305 tbi that ive owned for 11 years.Ive dumped lots of aftermarket parts in it.ive blown out the t5 3 times and finally replaced it with a tremec 3550 trans.My 305 finally took a dump and blew a head gasket and i think one of the crank bearings went.After reading thru many threads im still confused on what to replace it with.The trans will handle 450hp easy.So im looking for 350-450hp What are my options for an engine?? I was looking at putting in a 350 tbi but dont want to burn my own chip or look for all the parts to make it run right.Ive looked at crate engines but still lost on what to get.I only drive the car less than 5000mi a year so im exempt from emissions unless the state changes that.(PA)
Any thoughts? What engine, what type of injection? Would any of the Engines below work?
http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/sbc_fuel_injected.htm

And the carb models
http://www.tuffdawgengines.com/SBC%20carbureted.htm

Thanks for any help.I was thinking on selling but after driving it once more and reading this forum.i think ill keep it if i can figure out what to do with the engine..

 

You need to explain your goals, and your budget. Thats gonna outline your options. You don't wanna burn your own chips or do the work to make it run right just going to a bigger tbi motor, so I'm guessing TPI, LT1, or LSx is out as well then, correct. That leaves carbs, which is less fuel effecient, but pretty simple to setup and tune. A 400hp 383 build is pretty easy to do, without breaking the bank. 400hp on a 350 can be done as well. A 400ci motor is another option. If fuel mileage is a question at all, you better rethink whether or not you're willing to work out injection.

 

I knew i forgot something.. Im basically looking for the easiest way to replace the engine and get the hp im looking for.Looking to spend somewhere between 2500 to 3500.Fuel mileage doesnt matter all that much since its just going to be a toy and not a daily driver.Ive replaced so much on this car.Just about everything under the car is aftermarket shocks springs swaybars subframe connectors torque arm transmission dirveshaft axles gears the list goes on and on.Just looking for the power to use it all...

 

i personally do not deal with any company that does not list their prices for their product, nor the brand of the parts used in their product.

So what kind of a budget are we looking at here, and what are your plans for the car?

 

[quote=//<86TA>\\;3502362]i personally do not deal with any company that does not list their prices for their product, nor the brand of the parts used in their product.


Good point.I was thinking the same thing.Though they do have a legit ebay store.Wonder why they dont list their prices on the site ??
http://stores.ebay.com/Tuff-Dawg-Eng...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

 

They want you to call and ask, so they can sucker you into buying. It's a classic marketing trick.

 

After thinking i might run into problems removing all the smog equipment.Thinking someone has to have a chip burned for a 350 or 383 tbi with a 5 speed.That way i can bolt everything back onto the engine and not worry about a visual smog inspection. Any ideas on what engine i could use and still get at least 300hp if not more??
I just looked under my dash the service #on my computer is 1228746.Is that the 746 im looking for?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

You need a newer vortec engine long block (like the kind from a 1 ton van or pickup) with an LT4 camshaft. You can buy the vortec TBI intake or use a 4 barrel carb intake with an adapter. Use either a 454 TBI unit or one of the modded units off of ebay with the 2 inch throttle bores. It's the last of the old 350 engines but the best starting point when you are on a budget. Factory roller cam and decent heads out of the box.

A set of 1 3/4 headers will round out the package.

If you're gonna tune the computer, then you can start anywhere with engine mods. The above setup is pretty computer friendly...

 

I just read this post and it applies to you!! I think this is the setup you are looking for!!

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...mmissions.html

 

Thats a great setup.Wonder what crate engine i could use?? I don't really have acess to a good machine shop.Any suggestions?

 

I would price a replacement engine for a 1996-2002 GMC 1 ton van, 5.7 vortec engine. Get the long block.

It comes with .430/.450 lift cam that you can switch with your LT4 hot cam. Then you put the 20 dollar LT4 valve springs in and you're done with the long block. You might have to pop the heads off and have the valve guides cut down. That's not much money either.

You could price an engine that's remanufactured (I'd suggest GM for that) from most auto parts stores. You could either pay the core charge or pull one from a junkyard with 200+ thousand miles and turn that in with your core charge.

Because it's the last of the old school 350s, all of your accessories and water pump stuff just bolt right on.

 

So im looking to get the L31. The LT4 cam.Too bad my edelbrock tbi intake won't work. Vortec tbi intake.350 or 454 tbi.What about headers? Does anyone make then for a vortec engine in a thirdgen f-body?

Sorry for all the questions im new at swapping engines.Don't want to buy the wrong stuff.

 

The great thing about Vortec swaps is that everything (except the intake) just bolts right on. This includes exhaust.

You just buy regular third gen V8 headers and use those. I like SLP or other 1 3/4" shorty headers...

 

Is this an engine i could use?
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...49872_-1_10763

I have acces to an 88 350tpi (l98)wiring harness and computer for cheap. Is that a good engine to use?

 

This sticky https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...i-buildup.html has been on the TBI forum for about a year now.

You could use the HO engine as the base if you like.

The L98 engine would also work well under a TBI. You can use the Edelbrock TBI intake on it.

 

I would'nt even know where to begin once i got the L98.I could follow the tbi build up but the tuning looks complicated.. Has anybody done it with the L98 as a base?

 

I have used the L98 parts on a TBI without tuning and experienced good results. The factory tune definitely likes the TPI heads and cam better than the TBI parts.

It's another straight drop in.

 

If you ask me, I would go old school. Throw a carb on a SBC 383 or 415 stroker. I built a 415 Stroker for my 91 formula 5 speed that dynoed out at 612rwhp and 629flbs for about 1800 dollars

 

Not very effective when emissions testing is part of the picture.

 

So if i get the L98 where do i start? Its out of a 88ta with about 160000mi on it.I guess the engine is going to need a rebuild? Bore, pistons maybe even head work?