Hey guys I just bought a 92 firebird I was wondering what the best engine I could throw in there on a budget of 3000 ihave an automatic transmission rightnow wouldnt mind switching to manual either but I have a 305 in there now and I am not getting the power I want right now.

 

$3000 including the trans? That'd sure limit the engine, drastically. Better to keep your current trans for a while. That being so, I'd suggest a 350. Headers and 3" exhaust will eat most of $1000 by themselves for decent stuff.
If you've already done that, you have better options.
But there are a few questions we need answered before we can help. Like does it need to pass an annual emissions test? If not, do you want carb or injection? Have you swapped better rear axle gearing yet?

 

Also, how good are you at fabricating parts you need vs buying them

Dont forget that 3rd gens really arent expensive cars. In many cases its cheaper to sell the base model and buy a 350 car with the budget + cash from the sale

 

Ya I think im going to hold off on a engine swap and instead do the intake carb headers and exhaust to start off with. If I do need a emissions test every year will I still pass with a carb or should I leave the stock tuned port I have on there. I know this is in the wrong thread but do you guys know how much all of that would run me for performance parts. I havent been working on cars for a long time and this my first car that I see it being worth putting work into. My dadhas been helping me work on it and he def. knows his way around an engine so im not doing it all by myself

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Forget the carb. It isn't emissions legal, and getting one to pass the '92 standards usually involves cash under the table. TPI is by far the better street system, anyway.

Start with exhaust. Does your car have one cat or two? If one, consider converting it to two. It will flow much better, and be completely emissions legal. Hedman makes good hedders for that set-up, p/n 68491 (if you want to upgrade to ceramic coating, it'll be p/n 66491). Replacement high flow cats would be a good idea if you already have dual cats, if single, then get replacement cats for dual. Then a cat back for the dual cat application.

As stated, that will probably set you back about $1000 or so. But, that's the right place to start, as nothing else you do will be as effective until you get the exhaust upgraded.

 

The car only has one cat it just past inspection on the one. One question though wouldnt adding another cat decrease hp bc of the added drag?

 

The dual cats are side-by-side, not in line. They are both the same size as the one you have, and the pipes in and out are larger. So, they increase HP (or at least, the HP potential) significantly.

 

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