Ok, so I have read some posts on this site for a while, and decided to go ahead and make an account and start asking some questions. Right now i have a 1991 Firebird Formula with a 305 i dont now much more about it than that. I know that its got a 130,xxx miles on it, not that it had a lot of power before, but when i hit 125k ish it i could tell that im loosing power. I was going to sell it, but i really like the car.

So my thoughts were stroke out the 305, get a 350, get a 383, or put a ls1 in it i pretty much ruled out ls1. Now I really like the idea of a 383 stroker now this will be my first full project for this car and im not all that experienced at it, but I am lookin to get 400-500 hp to the wheels, my budget 2500-3000.

right now im deployed so i have time to think about what I want to get but dont have the means to start getting info on where to buy parts, i saw a link for a 350 motor a little while ago, dont know much about the site though. So what im asking is that you experienced 3rd genners out there give a hand to some one who is new to this. Oh yeah, and i live in new jersey so anyone around those parts could help me out that'd be awesome.

and sorry if someone else posted this before, i only get a limited time on the computer and dont have time to search all the posts for what i was lookin for exactly.

thanks in advanced for any and all help. Much appreciated.

 

Your budget doesnt meet your expectations. Closest youll come is to sell the 91 and find a well modded LT1 car

Attempting the SBC route, youd fill your budget with machine work on your shortblock, the stroker kit and maybe a decent cam. This leaves nothing for intake, heads, induction fuel etc upgrades, not counting the drivetrain upgrades needed to support such power

Truck LSx engine swap is more feasible for your budget to get the most power/reliability. It wont be 400-500, but it will be substantially more than your LO3

BTW, as long as your LO3 hasnt been run to death (abuse/neglect), 125,000 miles is barely breaking it in. Several members are +300k and still rolling strong. Heck, mine hit 295k the other day

 

yeah, I agree w/ Pocket any build up will cost you way more than just droppin in an LS1(dep. on mods if any) I just put in an '04 GTO LS1 motor w/ headers & SLP maf for around $3000 & it looks factory, like it belongs in there! it was by far the best thing i ever did on my '91 Formula (also used to be a 305 tb) I had several other motors in this car including a procharged 383 stroker that cost over $10k (way too much & wasnt very streetable) I should have done this years ago!!! (when the 305 died @ about 130k)
even the base ls1 @ 320hp from a '98- '02 camaro(wich will fit w/o big any mods) is far more efficient & more road worthy than just about any other motor build Ive done before(& ive done lots)& is the best option when you can get them for $1000 - $3000 these days, you should just bite the bullit & do it up! youve got all the support you need on these sites & its the shiznit!

also I just saw that you lilve around the Jersey area, just a word of warning if you go the LS1 route you can buy direct from LKQ wich is a huge LS1 salvage/ recycling yard in your area w/ a great rep. but whatever you do DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DEAL WITH A GUY IN YOUR AREA NAMED "JEFF ROBERT"(ALSO GOES BY OTHER NAMES) HE WILL RIP YOU OFF! HE IS A MASSIVE SCAMMER & HAS RIPPED OF ALOT OF PEOPLE, 1-2 I KNOW PERSONALLY & HE WOULD HAVE GOT ME IF I HADNT BOUGHT THROUGH E-BAY/ PAY PAL, SO PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL & DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU BUY, MAKE SURE YOU KNOW EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN ABOUT WHO YOUR BUYING FROM, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE PLENTY OF GOOD SELLERS OUT THERE TO GET STUFF FROM, YOUR BEST BET IS "LKQ" RECYCLERS, I ALWAYS TRY TO BUY LOCALLY WHENEVER POSS!

 

ED, welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

I'll have to add my voice of reality here. $3000 would get you a nice 350 to replace your 305 longblock.

400 rear wheel HP is going to end up costing you about $8-10k. You can't just buy an engine that makes the power, you need a transmission, rear, suspension, and chassis that can take the power.

500 RWHP will cost about twice what 400 RWHP would.

 

Ok so Been doing a little more research and i really like the idea of the LS1 and T56 tranny ( i think thats what its called, the tranny from the 2002 WS6)

 

57kid deffinatly speaks the truth. i built my motor for about 4k and make 425-450hp. trans was done in 3 months and i didnt trust the rear end enought to keep it in.

 

Yes, that's what the tranny is called, and yes, it is a good combo.

Don't expect to be able to do that for $3k, though.