I just recently bought my 91 z28 and its just got the 305 in it. i want to be able to take it out to the strips and race but also drive it as a daily driver. what engine would be best for that? i was looking at the LS1 with the T56.
thanks for the help.

 

Which 305, TPI or TBI? If TPI, which exhaust system?

What type of racing do you plan on doing? The typical bracket racing doesn't require anything special, unless you want to get into a class that has a minimum ET requirement (but that may conflict with your daily driver intent). Automatics are typically preferred over manual transmissions for consistency and taking the beating.

I see some LS cars at the track, typically Vettes. Don't see them in the later rounds, though. There are a couple of 4th gen LS1 cars I know, lost to one of them earlier this year when he had the run of his season - he lost next round, of course, and I'm way ahead of him in season points.

The things that most influence consistency are being able to control vehicle conditions (fluid temps, tire pressures, launch RPMs, etc.), traction, and a crisp launch (related to traction, but needed for consistent reaction times). Cooling, fuel & ignition systems in good operating condition, gears, higher stall converter, and a good exhaust system (helps with repeatability, believe it or not) along with sticky tires (I drive to the track on my daily tires and switch to DOT slicks at the track), plus a lot of seat time, will take you far, even if the engine is otherwise stock.

 

My z28 is the 305 TPI and the guy i bought it from put a flowmaster system on it.

I honestly dont know that much about the drags I only went with a cousin who had an LS1 in his monte carlo and it screamed he was in super pro. and i would love to build my camaro to be able to actually compete. I am trying to learn about the drags here in CO but i dont know much so im jsut getting started and i need a faster car first anyway.

 

That's my point, you don't need a faster car. Super Pro is an electronics class for serious race cars, not the best place for daily drivers or to learn how to drag race.

Come up to Bandimere on a Friday night or Saturday with the car as it is now; or go down to Pueblo (not sure of their schedule, check their website). The car will be slow compared to some others out there, but that doesn't matter (and it'll be faster than some out there). Pit with some people who know the ropes and can give you some pointers.

Next Friday night at Bandimere is the "Club Clash" series, a great time to get some experience because there are a lot of people out who don't race regularly (there are also some who do race regularly), a fun time. It's how I got back into racing in 1996. There are two classes, one for the faster cars, and one for the slower cars. The faster class tends to have more of the regular racers; try to start out there and you'll likely be a regular first round runner-up. I'll be there, I'd be happy to help you out.

As you pick up how to race, you can start improving the car. Small changes tend to produce the best results.

 

So would I be running in the Run Tuff or Street ET? I'm reading the 2009 racer handbook right now and it looks the only thing I would need is a set of DOT approved tires. My z28 would probably run like a 18 or something ridiculously slow. The transmission in it just doesnt feel right and shudders at low RPMs, so thats another reason I figured why not just do the whole thing right.

 

Street ET is run on Friday evenings, and Run Tuff on Saturdays. Club Clash and the Friday ET series trade off (this Friday it's the ET series including Street ET, next Friday is Club Clash, for instance).

Your car might run 18's - no problem, it isn't unusual to see 18-sec vehicles win rounds.

Might want to change the tranny fluid and see if that helps it.

But, a case could be made to just do the whole car at once. Would you be doing the work, or paying to have it done? Can you live with a good-running car that isn't fast enough for Super Pro? LS1/4L60E would be a good combo for street/strip. T56 is more fun for street, but less consistent for the track.

 

Yeah my car is in storage for now and will be going to my parents at the end of the month where my Dad brother and I will be doing all of the work on it ourselves. They are almost finished with their 72 Olds 442 W-30 rebuild. The 455 bored out in that thing gives you chills when you hear it.

But yes all the work would be done by my family and friends and I. I really wouldn't mind keeping it as an automatic. I if I get an LS1 will most likely be taking it apart and rebuilding it with the works. I don't care about Super Pro as long as Im running my times fairly low and loving everything about the car i'm in. It should be very fast with an LS1 no matter what though right?

 

that depends on your definition of fast...if your running 13's and you're talking to someone that runs 9's, then no your car isn't fast....someone who is used to 15's then yeah. How fast do you want to run the car?? what 1/4mi time. Also the faster you go, the less drivability on the street you have. It does not matter if you run an ls1, and lt1, an l98 or a old carb motor.....it just depends on how you build it. you could put a grand national 6 cyl. in there and run decent. Running a stock ls1 motor in you car should have you in the 13's somewhere would be my guess. Have you priced the cost of swapping? sometimes it's cheaper to build what you have....either way make a game plan, get a budget and a timeline and try to stick to it.

 

I want to be able to run sub 13s and i have about 15 grand to spend on it that ive saved up. I dont like the 305 tpi or the tranny it has no it is not powerful enough. i got screwed by driving that olds 442 so my z28 feels like a slug with a trailer

 

Well ,get a game plan together, first figure out a few different ideas and option of what you want to do. Then price shop everything....write down all part numbers/prices, and where to get the part from on a list. Down to every nut and bolt. you'll be suprised how the little things add up. Also you have to do other things to the car, the driveline, the rear end, frame and suspension upgrades, exhaust upgrades, computer work, you can't just do a motor and not do the rest. So your 15k which sounds like a lot (and it is) will go very very fast.
But have a solid idea written down of what to order, when, how much, who to take stuff to, timeline, and everything will go a lot smoother.
13's should be possible from an ls1. Then again, 13's are possible with the 305tpi you have in there.

 

how could i get the 305 to make it run 13s?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-Tr...=p4506.c0.m245

A 98 LS1 from a trans am with a 4L60E tranny for less than $2K? Does that seam like a scam somehow?