Ok. I'm in Afghanistan and will be back home to my beloved 91 Formula in a few months. I know this is probably wierd but all I want is an estimate on something. Like say under $7000 or over $10000. Anything. It's been a while since I've driven my Firebird. She's a 305tpi and she does get up and go. But I'm pretty sure that my engine only puts out about 200 hp at the crank... And the newer Camaros and Rustangs with V6's are putting out 300+. I was wondering how much it would cost to take my Formula to a mechanic and tell him to drop a 350 in it. I'm looking for at least 400 hp. The engine doesn't have to be new. It can be used but decent. I don't race or anything. I'd just like to know that I'm pushing more horses than the little v6 mustang sitting next to me when I'm at a stop light. I would call some mechanics and ask for their quotes but hey... I'm in Afghanistan and my sources and a phone to use is very limited. Just figured I'd at least try the forums. Any mechanics out there? Thanks in advance.

ps. I know I'll need a new ECM and all that, you don't really have to go through the details. I'd just like to know about how much it would cost for me to drop it off at a mechanic as soon as I get home while I get a little R&R

 

good candidate for a 2005-06 LS t/56 swap

 

Might as well go LQ4/LQ9. Motor and harness is $1500, find someone to sell you the LS1 accessories and intake. For $2500 you should have a good setup; a mechanic will probably get a few thousand dollars to do it.

 

I see you are stationed at Cherry Point - where is HOME? I ask because, here in NC as long as you don't go to an emissions county for inspection, you can carb a car and get away with it - anything before 1995 only gets safety inspection and they don't even pop the hood 90% of the time. Opens up a a new world of possibilities (that can be cheaper).

But if HOME (ie when you leave military - or if you plan on getting restationed elsewhere) is a state with harsher inspection requirements, then you are bound to the TPI system or newer (like LSx).

An LSx swap would be really nice, but you are looking at probably bare minimum $2k just for engine/parts. But a simple 350 swap would be much cheaper - cost of the 350, your intake, TPI system, accessories, etc. all swap over to the new block, and all you'd need would be a 350 TPI ECM. Shouldn't take longer than 24 hours (3 days) at NC labor rates at a Joe Blow garage of maybe $80 an hour?

Kinda depends on what you want really - since you are paying someone to do the work, I'd highly recommend you decide exactly what that is, do the research to see exactly how to get to that goal and remain compliant to whatever inspection laws you think you'll be facing, and gather all the necessary pieces yourself. Then, you are paying a shop for the wrench turning only. If you try to rely on their "expertise" on how to do the swap, you'll end up in trouble - there aren't too many folks in eastern NC I'd trust to 'figure out the details' so to speak - if that makes sense. I just read too many posts locally and abroad of folks who trusted a shop to do something, and it turned out the shop had no clue about actually getting it to run - leaving them with a high bill and worn out shoes from walking.

 

Sounds like a good candidate for dropping off at Hawks.

 

Home is in Elizabethtown, KY. I might move back to Kentucky after my tour. But I'm not 100%. I might stay in the Marine Corps. Most likely I would request to stay in Cherry Point. I definitely don't want to go to California... too many stupid gun laws. And I'm not selling my guns. And if I went to Okinawa or Iwakuni then I wouldn't get to take ANY of my guns or drive my car. So most likely my future home will be Cherry Point NC, Camp Lejeune NC, Parris Island SC, or somewhere in southern Kentucky close to my family if I get out of the Corps.

But as for the info you guys have given me, thanks a lot. All this info gives me something to work with and an idea of what type of engine too. I've owned three third gen Firebirds before but have NEVER swaped an engine. So every bit of this info is helpful. Thanks guys.

 

Also, just noticed, a fella in NC has a 1973 350 complete motor (minus accessories) 4 sale in the TGO classifieds for $400 - it's currently in a Buick I think, so you can hear it run (well, maybe a buddy of yours in the states can hear it run, I doubt even the Marines have the capability to listen that far away!).

It's a carbed motor, going to probably be smog 350 heads - but $400 for a running engine is not a bad start - heads are changable!

 

WAIT A MINUTE! What am I thinking? I should go buy that motor to have something to build up!