Well guys I have a 1989 Camaro. Right now it has a 305 TBI and a 700R4 tranny (im pretty sure thats what comes stock right?). I have a 305 Roller block in my garage that im gonna build to around 350-400hp. Im gonna get the tranny gone through and beefed up alit. The only question is some guy was telling me if I went from the TBI to a Carb, setup I will have problems. I just want a summer car to drive. I have a 73 Nova SS that has 700hp and its not that streetable. So do any of you guys have any tips or anything for me.
thanks,
Jr.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

TBI or TPI is the only emissions legal way to go. You'll probably say, "I don't have to worry about emissions," and it may be true that you don't have inspection or testing to go through, but that doesn't mean Federal emissions laws don't apply.

350-400 HP with a 305 TBI is pretty much a pipe dream. Not saying it is impossible, just that it will be difficult and expensive. A much easier way would be a 350 with a TPI-type system (Miniram, Super Ram, Stealth Ram), and although the cost may be similar, the driveability and economy for street driving will be much improved.

Of course, it would be even easier, and probably no more expensive, and certainly emissions-legal and more fuel economical, to go LT1 or LS1. LS1 will be more expensive up front, but will have more potential for power (400 HP basically a matter of cam, heads, exhaust, and PCM tuning) while retaining much better driveability and economy than a 400 HP TBI would ever be able to achieve.

Carb would be the least expensive to obtain the 400 HP, driveability and economy would be very poor with a 305.

Some food for thought.

 

I live in Wyoming, where they dont do emmision tests. So thats why im gonna go with a carb setup. If in the future for some reason we have to start doing emission tests, I will put a ls1 or something in it. But for now I wanna go with a carb setup. My 1968 camaro SS is a 450hp car that is carbed as well and I get about 15-16 mpg, which is ok with me. I road trip the 68 all the time, I just want the 89 to be the same cause it has T Tops.
Thanks for your guys time,
Jr

 

You'll have a lot more problems with TBI at that power level than you will with carb - not sure where your adviser was coming from with that.

You do need to make sure you get the TV cable geometry correct with carb and TH700R-4. Often discussed on the Carb and Transmission forums.