whats the largest engine that will fit in a 3rd gen without major modding to the engine compartment,

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Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

.

 

could a 454 physically fit in the engine compartment, without major modifications

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Trent
---Car---
89 Firebird
305 L03 TBI A4
t-tops
Open Element Edelbrock Aircleaner w/ K&N air filter
Summit Chrome Valve Covers

---Stero---
Pioneer DEH-P730 Premium
Infinity 2way 4652 4x6's
Pioneer 4way ts-a6985 6x9's
profile cl640 110x4

Future:im profile 1200sx 900watt x 1, and a pioneer cdx-p1270 12 disk cd changer

 

.

 

without being a pain in the *** and make it handle like a tugboat: 400 smallblock would be easiest large engine to put in. 3rgens were suposedly designed for the firebirds to have a pontiac engine in them so a 455 pontiac might be aplicable too.

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS.6
Mods and times:
TOP SECRET

Got Beach?

 

A 434 Motown small block should fit the bill. With the weight savings over a big block, you should be in the same straight-line performance class, and the cornering would be no contest.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. 2-1/2" cat-back, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 CC system w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" catback, restalled TC, Spohn SFCs).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Holley 750VS w/4150 conversion, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

The biggest short deck big block is 540. If you go to a tall deck then over 700 cid can be reached. All the big block chevs will fit. The tall deck blocks have .400 longer cylinders and should cause clearance problems.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block (times are for the current engine)

Best ET on a time slip: 11.447 altitude corrected to 10.99
Best MPH on a time slip: 119.42 altitude corrected to 124.86
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 493
Best 60 foot: 1.586

Racing at 3500 feet elevation with a typical race day over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

How much is the Motown block machined ready for parts? I saw complete engines for an outrageous $9k. GMPP has bow tie racing 400 blocks for $1700. Some places have them on sale for $1500

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS.6
Mods and times:
TOP SECRET

Got Beach?

 

if money is not a real big issue go to gm and get the ZL1 big block fully assembled with aluminum heads should add about 85 pounds to the original weight.a bit costly but if you are talking about the 434 motown buldup you are gonna spend it anyway.

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87 trans am,gm crate 350(4 bolt mains 10to1),L98 aluminum heads,LT4 hot cam,slp runners,slp 1 5/8 headers,3in.y-pipe,edelbrock base,hi flo cat,air foil,afpr,as&m ported plenum,gutted airbox,t-5 tranny w/centerforce clutch and a 3.27 9bolt(11.9in. brakes),ed wright's fastchip,relocated iat sensor,160 fan switch&t-stat,tb bypass,accel supercoil,cap& rotor,slp 3in. catbcak,a/c delete.

SHE IS GONE BUT I KNOW THE GUY WILL GIVE HER A GOOD HOME.

best e/t:
3653lbs./full tank+ driver.
14.10@96.53mph 2.01 60'

 

well....sounds like my sources were right....i'm hoping to put a 400 in my 82 camaro in a few weeks...if i can find one. money is an object for me...i'm gonna pull one out of a u-pull-it for $200

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ATX Racing DFW Chapter Leader (pro tem)
Texas Street & Strip
(formerly phantazy82)