Hi everyone, I was wondering what everyone recommends for an engine swap for a 5.0. 1988 Gta. It is the original engine. Everything is original or OEM replaced parts. I would like between 4 and 500 horsepower and at least 400 pounds of torque at the wheels. I have had people tell me to get a pontiac 400 or a chevy 400. I know very little about engines and would have to have someone else do the work. I would like to use the original intake. Just wondering what the best options are and what else would have to be done.
Thanks for any info.
Ryan

 

What is your budget ? 400 horsepower at the wheels is going to cost some $$$

 

400hp with the stock intake? Good luck.

 

Is that not possible? It is not a necessity. I mostly just think it looks good.

 

I am not sure to be honest. I really have no idea what this type of thing costs. What would horse power at the wheels be for a more budget freindly set up? What general price range would 400 at the wheels be?

 

Your transmission won't handle 400-500 HP. I recommend a "Turbo Encabulator".

 

I don't think you understand what you're getting into here.

Specifically, what is your budget?

Specifically, who will be doing all the work, and have you researched their business history?

 

Like others have said you really need to figure out what you want out of the car. Even if the engine fairy came and installed a new engine overnight and you had the 400hp you'd soon find that the rest of the car needs "400 hp" support. Meaning, the stock brakes, chassis, and exhaust are garbage and won't support the new power you have.

As you research engines I would spend the time to upgrade all the other weak points of the car that 400hp will expose.

 

 

To add to others comments, IMHO , you need to do some research first to understand what you are getting into. 400-500 HP at wheel is around 470-590 HP at crank. Between 400 and 500 there is 100hp difference which is a lot. No way the F-Body will handle that from transmission, drive shaft, rear end, frame and braking. If you really want that, you need to address, chassis, suspension, braking, transmission, drive shaft and rear end. You will need to get an aftermarket TPI if you want to make that kind of power and retain some original look. You are in for tens of thousands of dollars.

Here's a good book that really opened my eyes back in the day:


Good luck!

 

 

2jz. Just don't 'too soon junior' it until know how much Tran's got under his hood

 

To pay someone to do it? $25,000 easily. I own and operate a performance shop with a chassis dyno. I'm doing a 390 HP long block for a fellow member, which with stock intake and stock exhaust is probably going to put 275 to the wheels (gross estimate - I really have no clue but intake and exhaust upgrades are for down the road), and we're in the range of $8,000 to $9,000 and haven't touched ANYTHING but the engine. With 400 wheel (my own car is 325) you will have to do the entire drivetrain - transmission, rear end, brakes, suspension. I'm absolutely sure I have over $10,000 in parts in my own Trans Am and my labor is free.

Honestly the quickest way to get there would be to strap on a procharger and send it.

GD

 

Very well said. Wait, what?

 

You are right. I do not know what I am getting into which is why I am asking for info. I wont be doing the work. I would want to find someone to do it. I also have no idea what something like this costs. If everyone seems to think this is not realistic, I would love to hear any realistic options on getting more horsepower and torque out of this car.

 

What would a more realistic goal be for this car as far as increasing horsepower and torque and at the same time be realistic financially?

 

 

Id say get a 350, study these threads on such swaps, and build a 300hp or so engine that will be VERY fun in a car such as yours. Won't break the bank and will get your feet wet in this hobby. I picked up a 70k mi L98 for $500 so good deals are out there

 

Your budget will dictate what you will be able to do, ESPECIALLY if someone else is going to be doing the work. 1,500 horsepower isn't unrealistic, if you have the cash.

Nobody can really give an reasonable suggestion without know what kind of cash outlay you can put into it. If you have $500 you aren't going to be getting much, if you have $10,000 you have many more options.

 

O.K., let me ask in a different way. If you had 5k and this car what could you or would you do to this car to get more horse power and torque and what do you think you could achieve?

 

For that budget I would do an entire intake and full exhaust coupled with a rear gear. Because you are paying for the labor you have to figure what you spend in parts you will spend at least half if not more for the labor. If you like your TPI you can get a First system like GD used for around 1K, or you can spend the same on oversized runners and high flow base with ported plenum. A full exhaust, headers, y-pipe, int. pipe and a quality cat back system will run you $1200-$1500. A new 3:42 rear gear is about $650. Add a couple hundred for misc stuff like gaskets and such. You are @ approx. 3-3.5K now for parts. IMHO the labor for something like this will run a least 1.5K (GD might have a accurate number for this) and lastly you will have to have a custom tune written for the mods. There is your 5K budget! This will give you the feeling like you dropped in a new engine. Depending on the cam you have I would give my best guess that you could expect a 60- 75 hp increase with these mods and a proper tune.
I would think that just to do a engine swap and swap the original parts you need to the new engine you would be about the same if not more in labor alone and then you are still have to purchase the new engine. You will still have a restrictive intake, crappy exhaust and highway gears.

 

Practically speaking. Repair and detail your 1988 GTA to STOCK condition and sell it for top dollar. I'd consider Bringatrailer.com . to list it. Buy the newest Corvette, starting w/ 2001 (350HP) and newer, as you can afford. I know this is not what the OP may want to hear, but it is by far the most cost effective way of achieving the performance and handling, he seems to desire.

 

No prob!

Start with the basic. Decode your VIN and RPO codes. Look-up on internet you'll find online decoder. That will give you some basic info.

What's your intake? TPI (LB9) or TBI (L03)? Most likely it's a TPI
What transmission? T5 (Manual) or 700R4 (auto)
Rear end? You need to check the RPO code
T-Top or not?



If TPI you have a Mass Air Flow system (MAF). TPI's where different throughout the years. By understanding your drivetrain and induction system, you will be able to plan upgrades.

Here's some basic mods (others feel free to add to the list)
For chassis stiffness:
-Subframe connectors
-Steering brace (wonder bar)
For HP (around 40HP gain) :
-Cold Air Intake with TPI foil
-Headers
-Catback
-Performance chip with 180 or 160 thermostat
-Underdrive pulleys

This is assuming everything is up to spec. I would spend money on making sure basic stuff is mechanically sound like ignition, all fluids, all hoses, brakes, u-joints, transmission and engine mounts, axle seals, front wheels bearings, suspension (rubbers) and steering component, etc.. All that stuff could add up quick. You basically want a strong foundation first.

 

The majority of people who commission a shop to build them a performance car have bottomless checkbooks. In post #13, GeneralDisorder gave you what I'd consider a realistic rough estimate that would provide what you're looking for.

$5K will disappear quick if you're handing it over to someone else; if that's all you have to spend on this project, my best advice is to do a lot of research both on this site and other, similar hot rod/performance sites, buy some tools, get involved yourself, and get your hands dirty. There is nothing---and I mean nothing---like the satisfaction of driving a fast car that you've built/worked on yourself.


Good luck.

 

Yep, I agree with the general consensus. First choice is get your hands dirty and start learning about how to do this stuff and build yourself a nice car. If you don't want to do that, a C5 corvette is already at or above your performance goals and there are good quality street cars for under 10K.