Hey Guys,

I need help deciding which Bird to engine swap for my winter project. I bought a 30,000 mile L98 out of a crashed 88 trans am on marketplace last weekend complete with all accessories and wiring harness.

They are both Formula Firebirds with no rust and original engines and grey interiors and TTops. Both cars just got new exhaust systems.
Black one is a 1987 LG4 5 speed car DX1 decal delete. 125,000 miles fun car to drive. Shorty headers to Flowmaster exhaust, functional ram air hood scoop and smog delete are only mods so far. 3.23 gears
Maui Blue one is a 1989 LB9 auto car with 170,000. Long tube 1-5/8 headers to single 3 inch exhaust. has 4 wheel disc brakes and a 9 bolt 2.77 rear end. New springs and shocks all the way around and founders performance LCA and panhard bar.

While a 350 stick shift car sounds cool, the blue car already had the TPI system so it would swap in much easier. Trying to not spend tons of money on swap parts too.
Whichever one I don't swap will probably get sold in the spring.
Which one would you swap?

 

I like the black car better, because I am heavily biased and love black. I also like that it is a manual, and has the 3.23 gears. Not sure how hard you plan on beating on the 5 speed, it may turn into a weak point if you get the 350 running really good. But then you can just switch to a TKX or T56 when you break it haha.

At the end of the day, which car do you want to keep? I play a game with my wife where if I have trouble deciding between 2 things, I have her pick a number, 1 or 2. My mind will typically feel relieved, or feel hesitation depending on what she picks. That gives me my answer right there. How did you feel when I told you to do the black car?

 

Let me counter by saying that Blue is B-E-A-UTIFUL. Definitely the better looking of the two. (/s)

Either way man, @blunierdr makes good points, and you're living the dream.

 

Must to be tough to choose from 2 good looking Firebirds.

 

If it was my project I would consider any other modifications I would do to the car after I did the swap. Rear gear swap or brake upgrades,
do you want a 5.7 with a manual? Maybe make a list of the stuff you need to do to each car and let that be your guide. If the blue 89 is better optioned I would lean towards putting the 350 in that one.

 

I know, first world problems

Keep the car that you like better right now. It still will be the car you like better after the swap.