Hello, I am wondering what engine people would suggest to swap into my 1991 firebird and what else I would have to do in order to make it work. I haven't done a swap before and wish to keep it simple. I don't need a whole ton of power but it only puts out 180 horsepower and is quite disappointing.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

180 HP? Which engine do you have? Nothing offered in 1991 came from the factory with 180 HP. The V6 was 140 HP, the base 305 was 170 HP. Your profile indicates 3.1 V6, which would be 140 HP (don't knock it, that's only 5 HP less than the base V8 just a few years earlier...).

Assuming it is the 3.1 V6, take a look through the V6 to V8 swap sticky in the top section of this forum. It gives you the basics of what it takes to install a V8 in a factory V6 car. The specifics will depend upon the V8 you decide on.

Probably the most simple (since you mentioned keeping it simple) is to swap in a 3.4 V6. A few parts will need to be swapped over from the 3.1 - the swap is detailed in the V6 forum. It won't have the power potential of most any V8, but it is a good step up from the 3.1; and no other swap would be easier/simpler.

 

Ok, I apologize for the hp mistake, somewhere I read that it had 180, guess I should probably check my sources better. Thank you very much!

 

What are your goals for the swap? Something easy to pic up a few ponies, but keep gas mileage? A V8 simplistic carb, mechanical distributor swap? A more complicated complete swap with ECUs and harnesses? If you want easy, to pic up a few ponies and keep gas mileage, then do the 3.4 swap and look to see what can be done for HP gains to that engine. It would be the cheapest, and to add power you could do put on a turbo system. What swap you do has to do with your ability to do the work, or your ability to learn to be able to do it and apply that knowledge. I'd say, find a running V6 4th gen Camaro (93-95, with the pushrod 3.4) for cheap, swap out the blocks, swap out the seats, maybe even the rears, and then sell the 4th gen, or part out the 4th gen. What swap you do really depends on what your abilities are as a mechanic and what your goals are.

 

Best thing about the 3.4 swap is you can then do the 3500 heads, which you probably will since the 3.4 alone is still disappointing at only 160 HP. Doing the 3500 heads will get it to 200. I daily-drive a '94 3.4

 

Yup, for a beginner swap for what you have, do the 3.4 swap.

These Headers:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ps...ac?prefilter=1

A 2.5" catback, if you don't have one already.

Then, upgrade heads and anything else later on if you want.

The 3.4, headers, better torque converter, and a 2.5" exhaust will really improve the get up and go of your car.