Can I swap in a better engine with $1500?
I will do all the installation labor
I have a tired 305 LO3 in my 1990, automatic Camaro
I need to replace it or swap in something else
I want to maintain being smog legal for California
I cannot custom burn/ program computers (way over my head)
I have 30,000 miles on a rebuilt 700r4 with shift kit
I have $1500 to play with...suggestions?


I researched the 5.7 tbi caprice upgrade but blocks seem way over budget, but I am willing to swap in the caprice computer and chip.
Help.
John

 

the TBI 5.7L is not way over budget if you do it with a good used salvage yard engine, and is looking like your only hope. The Caprice version did get roller lifters, but since your LO3 already has a set, you can start with any '87-up truck 350. Around here, those go for under $200, complete, from Pick-N-Pull. You do need the Caprice computer for the emissions sniffer testing, but you can use the truck injectors.
This leaves you money enough for Vortec heads, the GMPP Vortec TBI intake manifold, a GMPP RamJet 350 cam or an LT1 cam. If you don't already have headers, y-pipe, 3" cat, and cat-back, then you'll have to go with used Vortec 350 heads. And you'll want to get a better axle ratio, if you haven't already. Your car was built with 2.73:1 gears, but all the '85-'92 v6 / auto F-cars were built with 3.42:1.
The RamJet350 cam is better for 2.73:1, the LT1 cam is better for 3.42:1
You won't need a custom tune if you get an AFPR.

 

So I found a 350 complete with tbi listed as:
88-95 Gm 350 Motor 4-Bolt Fuel Injct Roller Cam All Complete Runner
with power steering pump and various wires
$850
this is a truck motor with belt driven fan.
can I just pull the water pump and put my regular, non-fan water pump on from my 350?
would a caprice computer and chip make this run nice?

 

try to find yourself a 350 tpi

 

For $1500 you can buy a parts iroc here in cali for about $1300 if you liked too i can look one for you.

 

Here in CA he'd be running a huge risk that he wouldn't pass visual emissions inspection. can't swap truck motors into passenger cars. = no vortecs. I'm all for lying to the smog techs but that intake manifold with the plumbing for egr is a dead giveaway.

 

the trucks do not have EGR? Chesterfield, is this what you are saying?

 

on the gmpp tbi vortec intake the egr is plumbed into the exhaust manifold from the intake right up front. any smog tech familiar with chevy engines would spot that it doesn't belong on a passenger car.
if I was you and trying to get an engine on a budget, i'd start checking out pick your part in sun valley.
http://www.pickyourpart.com/

1/2 price sale oct. 8-11

complete engine $112.50 + $25 for computer.
make sure you can tell the difference between 5.0 and 5.7.

 

If I bought a 1991 caprice 9c1 car, would it give me everything I need
is transmission same?

 

That would be a good choice for a donor....except that the one's I've seen in junkyards are generally worn out, high mileage cars. if you found one in that was in good shape but recently wrecked you would have what you need.
I'd guess that the trans is the same but I couldn't say for sure, it would need your tailshaft swapped.

 

go on craigslist and find a complete engine for ur budget or close. i find 500 dollar engines that are WELLLL worth the cash.

 

Ive been watching craigslist like an ocd stalker watching for car/and or parts, but not too much luck so far

 

well you might have to go outside your normal location. sometimes its worth the drive lol..

 

Would an 85 tpi corvette be a good donor car? can u use a 90 tpi computer to control this?

 

Personally, I wouldn't bother with any non-roller block unless it was an absolute steal. There's just too many roller blocks available out there to settle for less. If you're not comfortable around junkyards then you're going to spend a lot more money on it than I would. Don't rush into a hasty decision.
My advice: If you don't yet have headers and exhaust then take care of that first and in the mean time keep shopping for a deal. If you stick with TBI it will be easier to stay on budget and get it through smog.