I am essentially being handed a 91 RS camaro with a 5.0L, automatic transmission. I was told that the engine runs but it doesn't make the power that it should. Could be a problem with the transmission. I also have access to a carbureted 350 that ran great until the truck (1980's) it was in was wrecked. The engine has been sitting for nearly 10 years. The owner of the 350 has several items he planned on putting on the engine including rockers (I think) and some other misc items that I could get.

I am an EE student and will be putting open source fuel management on whatever I decide to play with. These are my options as I see it:

A) Play with existing 305 by overhauling and replacing the heads and intake. And, of course, implement megasquirt
B) Play with the 350 (by converting to EFI) and drop it in the camaro. And, of course, implement megasquirt

I would definitely need advice from the forum on what parts I need to start looking for at the local swap-meets either way. My main concern here is the tranny. I would like to swap the car to manual although I'm not sure if I'm interested in putting that much time and effort into the car. Also, if I put the 350 in, I would need some help tracking down a tranny that could handle it. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

The tranny in there can be made to handle a good bit of power. A good rebuild with standard upgrades (Vette servo, .5" relief valve, shift improver kit, etc.) will take 400 HP fairly easily. 600 hp is possible with some internal improvements.

What you do with the engine is dependent upon your performance and use goals.

 

If that's the case, I don't think I will ever exceed the limitations of the existing tranny.

I have put a lot of thought into the planning of the project. Like many others, I plan on extending the project over a period of most likely years.

When I get the car, the first thing on my to-do list is to get megasquirt installed and working with the existing TB. Next will be to acquire headers and a TPI intake for the existing 305. This will give me plenty of practice tuning the car with the aftermarket fuel system. Then, depending on how I feel about the car and how much money is already invested, I will look into getting the 350 and dropping it in with the TPI intake and upgraded exhaust system.

Any thoughts on my game plan? Any ideas on the HP increase on a LO3 with opened up exhaust, TPI intake, and a properly tuned fuel controller? What other mods can I look at adding to the 305 that will easily convert over to the 350 at a later date?