I am planning on getting a motor for my firebird. I contacted a engine shop somewhat near by and they said it would cost about 3500 for the engine and install. I think I will ask for some forged pistons
to go the motor as well so it will be a tad more. So is this price good for 330hp 350ci engine (before I ask for the forged pistons). Also I do not have the tools, room, or knowledge to do the swap myself. I wish I did though.

 

Forged heads???

 

I meant pistons not heads, dont know how I mixed it up.

 

Forged pistons would make more sense.

Are they building this engine, or is this the GM 330 horse 350 crate engine? Are you doing anything to the TPI?

What are your goals with the car after the engine swap?

 

They are going to be building the engine for me. I am going to be switching over to carb setup for the motor. As for the old 305 tpi I have no plans for it. As for the car I plan on redoing most everything and then to try to make it around an 12 sec 1/4 mile car. So after the motor I plan on getting new rear end gears, then rebuilding the tranny, also refinishing the exterior/interior at some point and then back to the motor if I feel like it. I am planning on the motor for around the fall.

 

And I got some more of the specs it should have on it, most of which dont mean alot to me since I dont know engines at all. Its a 355ci not a 350, .030 over cast pistons, moly rings, double roller timing set, 9.8:1 compression, 230 @ .050 hydraulic flat tappet cam and lifters, edlebrock victor jr. intake, 750cm holley double pumper, and a headers.

 

Will you drive it on the street at all?

Any idea what heads they're putting on it?

Are they going to do the TPI to carb conversion? If so, I hope they know what they're doing.

What transmission are you going to run? With that much cam and a Victor Jr., you're going to need a pretty loose converter with an auto transmission, or steep gears with a manual transmission.

 

The car is my daily driver and I would put on 150 miles a week or so. Right now the tranny I will run is a auto 700r4 thats in the car. I am not sure what heads they generally run on the engines but I will try to find out sometime. If there are a set I should get I can have the shop use them not the other ones. They will build it however I want as long as I have enough to pay for it. They would be doing the engine swap and the conversion.

 

If I were guessing,I'd bet that is the old Comp Magnum series 280H cam.It's pretty rowdy for daily use,and if they will only muster 330 hp from it,they aren't going to give you much for heads.I would advise questioning them a bit on the cam and intake choice.For a dd,I would think a milder cam and performer RPM style intake would give at least that much HP,in a much friendlier package.Also be aware that if you do end up using the Vic. jr.,you will most likely run into hood clearance issues.

 

The cam should just be an oem cam. What kind of heads/cam should I try to get? They build the motor to however I ask. I would be fine with getting a cowl hood but what should get instead?

 

Don't make the mistake I did.
I installed a 355HP motor in front of a rebuilt TH350 and thought my old 12Bolt would be OK. I beat on it for a few years and stuffed the pinion gear through the bottom of the carrier.
Don't put off upgrading your rear end and rebuilding the stock 700.

 

I would be planning redoing the drivetrain within a year if things go like planned.

 

I just fixed the Pic in my previous post
Have a look

 

The cam you listed earlier is far from stock.I would lean towards an XE268 Comp,vortec heads,and a Performer RPM intake.I would say your still going to be dealing with hood clearance problems with the Holley,but if your willing to deal with that,it's the right choice in a carb,although a 650cfm may better serve your needs.I'd run a dished piston with those heads to keep compression in check,should easily make a 350hp engine that will be fun to drive every day.

 

12-bolt???

 

Thanks for info on this. Will it still run around the same amount price wise? I saw that a non chrome rpm intake would be cheaper than the victor jr but I dont know about the other parts.

 

Yes 12-Bolt.
You'll see I'm still driving my Truck

 

with a performer rpm you will have hood clearence issures but its easily fixed. ive got a power buldge hood an i just had to cut a small section of hood bracing out. not a big deal in my opion. i run 10:1 compression in and 93 never gives me a fit on iron heads. and that xe268 cam is milder than mine so you should be fine.

id say all that would make for a fun dd

 

If I buy a cowl hood will I still have clearance issues? If I do I found where I can get one for about 400.

 

no a cowl would take care of alot of you clearence issues. depending on wat you want. look into glasstek they in naperville 4inch cowls run bout 420 bucks. free shiping if you go get it.

 

There is a place closer to me that charges $414 for a pickup in plainfield. For the same style hood. So what little I had already saved so going to that first. Prolly get it like couple weekends.
Thanks for the info.