Hey guys, I know there are a TON of engine swaps on this page but I thought I'd start my own so I can keep organized. I build track cars mainly for NASA circuits and Time Attacks and I have a customer who wants me to stray from that and take his 1992 305 tpi and swap in the 350 engine from Year One (part number CT350PC1) and Tranny (AT222) into it. These are both on year one's site, so check them out. He also wants them boosted, which is no problem seeing as I build turbos all the time, but I am alittle unsure as to how and tune something like this to run safely on boost. I try and do what my customers want but I certainly dont know everything and there is alot of knowledge on this forum so I thought I would give it a shot and see. What could be used from the original car/305 engine and what about tuning and such? He wants to add runners and such to keep it injected so I wont have to do it with a carb, but before I sign off on the project, I'd like to know alittle more about it all. Thanks guys!

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org. There is a lot of knowledge on tap here.

Any particular reason for that engine? It has an intake manifold you aren't going to use and a flexplate you probably won't use, hypereutectic pistons which aren't a good choice for boosted applications, a non-descript cam that probably isn't friendly with TPI or boost. It would make more sense to me to start with something built specifically for the application. It has Vortec heads, so you'll need a different TPI base to bolt to it - might as well get the Holley/Weiand Stealth Ram for Vortec heads instead; less expensive than base & runners, and more effective.

The transmission is probably okay, but you'll need to swap over the speedometer and tailshaft housing from the '92 transmission. I'd talk to TCI first to verify that's what they would recommend with a boosted engine.

 

Thanks Five. Yeah I wasnt too sure about that engine and my customer came to me wanting that particular one. I wanted to just do a rebuild on the 305 and boost......that was my first idea. You think that would be better? I can pretty much do whatever in my shop but like I said, I'm newer to the Camaros and such but rebuilding is no problem. Let me know what you're thinking.....and thanks again in advance

 

There really isn't much that is 3rd gen f-body specific. If you know how to build engines for boost, I'm not going to be much help for you. There is a Power Adder forum that would be of more help for that than the Engine Swap forum.

TPI is unique to f-bodies and Vettes, with some usage among the street rod crowd. Again, there is a TPI forum that would be a better source for information on that system. They may also have some TPI boost tips.

Exhaust is one of the bigger hassles with 3rd gens, but if you're doing turbo, you're probably running a single exhaust, anyway, which makes everything a lot simpler.