I am seeking personal experience suggestions on to what engines the community feels is the right one to put into a third gen. I currently have a 305 TPI in my 88 Trans Am and I am looking to swap out the strong but tired engine. I am looking at dropping in a LS1, 383, or maybe a 454. I am looking to run it on pump gas, and still pull out between 350-400hp or so. I am seeking the advice of all you third gens out there who have a made a swap for advice and knowledge.

 

Depends on if cost is a factor or not.

 

the real question is how time, cash and how much power u can tolerate.
what is the goal? street perf.? drag race. or combination of both.
a swap is not too complicated. a sbc with some strong vortec heads or better will be the easiest way with a carb and auto trans and will be the quickest esp. if u use a th350.
power will consume more fuel and mpg will suffer. if its dd, can u tolerate a 300-400-500 hp fuel bill? etc.

 

I would like to get 350-400 hp running a pump gas, meaning I want it for a daily driver, street not looking to drag race. Yes I can tolerate the fuel bill that comes with the amount of hp I am looking at. It doesn't get great mileage in the first place. The car is an automatic also.

 

An LS1 will put out that kind of power and still get MPG in the 20's when you aren't feeling the need to use the power.