hey guys my name is brian. i have some questions i'm hoping u guys can help me out with. ok im looking to buy a 85 iroc in the hopeful near future. i want a manual so thats what im gonna get but i wanna put a 350 in it. i wanna build it from the ground up with the help of some of my friends who are a little more knowledgeable then me at the moment about stuff like this.

so im probably gonna just buy a block and go from there. i wanted to come here and ask you guys if someone could make a list of all the parts i would need to do this. i know that might be a little time consuming but if someone could do that it would be greatly appreciated.

also besides just a list of all the parts i need it would also be nice to get some recommendations on brands with some prices and also websites where i could order these parts. im not looking to build a supercar or anything just a nice fast daily driver for future summers and other nice days. also if there is anything else that i should upgrade like trans upgrades, rear upgrades, suspension etc etc please list them. im sure im forgetting some stuff but if i think of anything else i will post in this topic again. thank you all for all your help in advance.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Understand the factory never put a 350 in front of the T5. Speculation why that was varies (my pet theory is 350 f-bodies would outrun Vettes of the same year if the f-body had a manual), but even stock 305's will tear up a T5.

Starting with a 305 block is probably a poor HP/$'s return. A 350 shortblock would be a different story. A stock crank and rods will be able to withstand a lot more power than a T5, so there's no reason to use aftermarket there.

As for rebuild parts, summitracing.com, jegs.com, and half a dozen other on-line catalog companies will have good parts choices at good prices. As long as you aren't planning on a power adder (nitrous, supercharger, etc.), hypereutectic pistons are a decent choice.

If this '85 you're looking at has a 305, the heads on it are decent on a 350 after having the machine work to install 1.94" intake valves and rebuild them. Aftermarket valve springs highly recommended to match whatever cam you get.

As for your knowledgeable friends, unless their knowledge is based on 3rd gen f-body experience, I wouldn't put much stock in it, especially when it comes to putting the engine into the car.

 

yea ive been thinking about it and reading on here that the 350 may not go well with the manual trans so i may just get one with the auto that already has a 350 in it which im assuming will still be very fast and enjoyable.

and my one buddy was a mechanic for gm for i'd say 15-20 years before they shut the place down he worked at so im assuming he has some experience with these cars. im going to talk to him to see if he's willing to help me with the job. trying to save money on labor since ive known him for so long haha. plus he has the wrench time which i don't.

but when the time comes and i find the car i want what should be my basis for what to replace internally in the motor. i know mileage has a lot to do with it so im definately going to take that into effect.

i was honestly just looking for a basic rundown of what i would need to make the car i guess kinda like new again and also a nice fast summer car. honestly i wanted to get the car in the best shape i could for anywhere between i guess 3-5k probably not including any body/paint work. that means motor work, trans upgrades, rear upgrades/swap, suspension etc etc.

thanks for your help on the last set of questions. hopefully you and some others here can help me with theses new ones.

 

also i wanted to ask whats the best option as in carb tbi and tpi when im looking for a car. personal preference? whats the difference between the 3? things like that