I am helping my buddy to pick out and install a crate motor in his 89 305 firebird. His budget is narrowing it down to a choice of 3 if we go GM.
The Targetmaster
The 85 up truck motor
The caprice motor

Scoggin Dickeys website doesnt have any info on it regarding which heads come on the two later motors. I know if we go targetmaster we will have to buy a flex plate and modify his intake to fit. I believe the two latter choices will bolt right up.???
Are there any advantages/disadvantages to any of these over the other two?
He isnt really interested in making his car into a street monster, he just wants a smooth and reliable daily driver with more power and torque than he has now. I would just like to choose the most power and potential for him I can in this price range.
Suggestions anyone?

 

I am not sure if this will help you because Im not sure what type of fuel system you have, I went from a 305 tbi to a 350 LO5 (new goodwrench crate) and I love it...I kept the stock: tbi, prom, fuel pump,motor mounts, distrib. and fly wheel, and yes even used the same starter,I replaced the oxygen sensor with a new one (same type)..I had to reuse the the passenger side valve cover off the old motor (because of where the holes are located in it for vacuum crap) The GM rep said I could bump up the injector size on the tbi to bring the motor closer to its potential.(I havent done that yet)
The power increase was killer, and I get like 20 percent better gas mileage then I could have ever got with that laim 305, and that is fact. I can smoke 305 tpi's with minimal effort, and heres the best part, I went right through NJ's brutal emmission inspection with no problems...Yes my LO5 is a tbi engine, and you can say what ya want about them, but Im living the dream...Like your buddy, I just wanted a little more power but dident want to sacrafice little things like reliability, or have legal issues. And also I drive like almost 70 miles one way to work, at least 140 miles daily. Also Goodwrench has a killer warrenty.
Well,thats my2cents, ok more like 3, but you get the idea...
Goodluck dude

------------------
(Kill the headlights, and put it in neutral)

--George
92 RS 25th Aniv.
350 Goodwrench (NEW LO5)
700R4 Raptor: high performance intermediate billet servo,Mega Valve,13 vane high performance pump,1800 heavy-duty stall converter and a 29 element heavy-duty forward input sprag

 

< seconds the Goodwrench350 motion

 

This is for tfor1. When you dropped in the new LO5 you said the prom remained unchanged. I'm just assuming that your computer was also unchanged? I want to drop the same motor in my'85 so I'm asking everyone here these probing questions. Also is the LO5 the target master or the truck motor? I'm considering the 250hp rated version. Thanks.

 

its the truck motor, and yes the computer is stock, The gm rep told me that it was 230 hp in the truck but would equal 250 hp in the camaro set up, also that I could get more horse power with the next size bigger injector (fuel)...Im bummed out today because the distributor broke, and yes it was from the old 305...But in general, the motor kicks it, and I love it...just email me if ya have any questions..Tf0r1@aol.com

------------------
(Kill the headlights, and put it in neutral)

--George
92 RS 25th Aniv.
350 Goodwrench (NEW LO5)
700R4 Raptor: high performance intermediate billet servo, high performance overdrive billet servo,Mega Valve,13 vane high performance pump,1800 heavy-duty stall converter and a 29 element heavy-duty forward input sprag.

 

I have to agree as well... for a budget motor that would be the best bet... if you have the tpi motor install the cam and lifters or get an aftermarket that will allow you to retain the OEM lifters...