88 Formula

I just bought an 88 Formula for $500 with a blown 305 TBI. The car came with an older early 80s 2-piece seal 305 that the guy I bought it from was going to put in, but lost interest in the car. Should I use it or find the correct LO3? I just want a total stock daily driver. Which heads are better, the 88 heads(if they are not ruined), or the earlier heads?

Hanks1

It really doesnt matter which one you use. Check the numbers from both the blocks and see which one is rated more powerful. The numbers are on a pad just in front of where the passangerside head bolts to the back. will be a series of Numbers and letters. engine code will be something like LG4, LT1, then search web for Chevy Small block Suffix codes and find yours. If you need help Email me

Hope this was helpful
84z

[This message has been edited by Hanks1 (edited April 09, 2001).]

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The two main differences between the engines as far as switching them out are the center two bolts on each side of the intake (the '88 bolts will be at a different angle than the others) and the flex plate. Actually, the flex plate differences are due to different rear main seal types ('88 has one-piece, '82 is two piece), which makes the blocks and cranks different in that area - but you already knew that. Just make sure you have the proper flex plate for the two-piece rear main seal.

Other than the intake bolt differences, the heads are about equal - meaning neither one is very great. But, due to needing to reuse the '88 intake for the TBI, you should probably use the '88 heads as well. Unless you go with World Products 305 S/R's - I know you said it's to be a daily driver, but the heads will make a nice difference, and they'd be new (you can get them with either intake bolt style). New heads would run you about twice what it would cost to rebuild your existing heads, but I think the extra $400 is worth it.

What exactly is "blown" about the '88 engine? It also has a roller lifter cam, which is a nice feature. You might be better off rebuilding it, with an upgrade cam, and retain the roller feature. The '82 engine will have lower compression than the '88 - might want to take that into consideration.

Now wait for someone to suggest selling both 305's and getting a 350.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

IROCZ88

I'm not sure what year your block is but early blocks had the dipstick on the drivers side right at the top of the deck surface. This will pose problems if you plan on using the stock exhaust manifolds. Plus, check the early heads, they might not have three bolt provision on the front passenger side which is required for serpentine.

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'88 IROC TPI 355, '69 truck 4-bolt, fully balanced, 9.75:1 compression, fully ported '70 truck heads(for now), Harland Sharp 1.6 Roller Rockers, Comp Cams CS 252AH-12, ported '86 TPI converted to speed density, Crane AFPR, Flowmaster 3in. exhaust, Edelbrock TES headers, all emissions equipment is still intact, plan on burning my own chips, many more mods and parts on the way as time and money permits =(
Best E.T. with TBI 305: 16.11 @ 82mph
Haven't been to track with new motor
If you have any questions on converting from TBI to TPI email me at jdkchevy70@yahoo.com
In memory of Dale Earnhardt, I'll miss cheering for that black #3 on raceday!!!

88 Formula

Thanks for the replies. I'm new to F-bodies, so any info is a great help. The older 305 has the dipstick on the right side, so I'm OK there. The 88 305 actually broke 2 connecting rods so that is why I'm not using it. The crank is trashed also. I would like to go with a 350, but you know how one thing leads to another. There goes the budget, so I'm staying stock with it. I am going to see about those 305 S/R heads.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Check Competitions Products. They don't list them specifically, but they carry them. The price is the same as the S/R Torquers. I believe assembled they are around $650 with shipping.

Again, you'll lose some compression with the dished pistons of the '82 engine. Consider a refresh with '86-later pistons. While you're at it, an upgrade cam isn't too expensive with the flat tappet design used in '82, and will help the heads work better.