I need alittle help plz, i just got a 89 RS with a LO3 tbi with hopes of building it up, but as i find out more about the engine,it seems a swap is in order.But the last time i built up a engine u could stand in the engine compartment and there wasn't much in the way of Smog laws around.(1986) I would like to drop a 350 in it and run a carb. Smog laws r not a problem in my area so what would be a good swap?

 

alot of variables, i'm facing a similar situation, after one crate motor and two build up 305s, i find its all about your budget and how much time you have to spare on it

 

Im realy not looking for the fastest rod on the strip I'm looking for around 300hp,I've talk to a few friends that build engines and 2 out of the 3 said to just rebuild sence the 305 is still in good shape, but i want something me and my son can work on together,but the last car i built up was a 69 Cut, with a 350 rocket and it was a pretty easy buildup.How hard is all the comp. stuff and tbi to work with?

 

Check out my sport truck article scans on www.bharris.org/camaro I would suggest keeping the TBI. I have made extensive mods to my trucks 350/tbi engine and have started on my camaro. Replace the fuel pump with one of the http://www.members.home.com/syclone/APE/fuelpump.html Walbro in tank 255ltr/hr pumps and then get you an adjustable fuel pressure requlator and work from there. I love TBI its so simple. I am studying the chip burning stuff so I can try and squeeze some more hp out there. Or at least improve some gas mileage since gas isn't getting any cheaper.

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91 Camaro RS 5.0L Black Convertible 700R4
** Added so far **
*GM Wonderbar
*Alston SFC
*Turbo City Inj Spacer
*Dual Snorker Air Filter
Please Visit www.bnhtoys.com and www.bharris.org

 

I know where your coming from, I'm doing one with my 9 year old son right now. I don't have smog here either so I went carb. It's not that hard, In fact I'm trying to think of anything different than it used to be before computers. If you stay with the computer you will need to stay with a mild engine or get into prom burning. Also depending on the age of your son and his experience, keeping the computer might be a little too much for him to tackle with you right out of the gate.

 

Thks guys,My son is 8 and I'm tring to get him to do something other than this computor,The car cost me 2g and I'm willing to drop about 5g into it,but that's counting the little bit of body work that it needs(door skins need replacing)and it needs the seats redone so most of it will go on the drive train i hope.I was told if i droped a new engine in it i could run a hot wire from the distr. to the computor, but i dont no if that will work or not.And all the crate engines i c keep saying 73 or earlier or 86 and earlier. y is that because of 2 bolt or 4 bolt or is mainly a smog thing?

 

73 for smog and 86 because the rear main design and centerbolt heads.

Since I'm dealing with the same age range as you, I'd say it's best to go for the carb now and try the injected way later. We as "old farts" started back when hot rodding was the biggest engine you could find in a small chassis. Start with the roots and work up to the tree. It's easier for a young child to grasp the idea of cam and carb the to get the idea of "tweak this bin file and check the pulse width". The key thing here is "baby steps" (I hate that saying).

Beyond that I can only suggest patience, and lots of it. I keep telling myself it's worth it everytime we go to work on it. I can't think of "I can do it faster" or "It's easier for me to get it". Let him do it and try your best not to do anything for him, convince him he can. Take your time and make it a "we did it" thing not a "he helped".