When I bought this car its LB9 was knocking. The previous owner threw in a L98 in the buy so I took it. Now the L98 is in but I was figuring to put the 305 back in after it was rebuilt to keep the car numbers.



Question: If I wanted to liven up the 305 while keeping it looking totally stock would that be judged as modified in a car show?

I know a few things could be done to get more out of a 305 and yes I know its not as effective doing these to a 305 instead of a 350 but I like the idea of a numbers car.

Besides, I dont want to race the car just want to cruise it while getting all the low end grunt out of the car thats possible while leaving the car looking and being judged as an all orig car.

When I feel like getting a little aggressive I would like to. I know its possible even with the 305. I have read several articles that were written back in the day that showed only a slight diff btwn the L98 and LB9 as far as performance goes. This car even with the LB9 in its broken down state would really bark the tires on the 1st-2nd shift on demand. The tq on these TPI cars are really something.

Thoughts please, I know folks on here have taken home some awards so I want to hear what you think.

 

If you want a numbers car and your deck is warped, when they level it, make sure they don't cut off the numbers. It's not a sealing surface, so it's okay to leave them raised compared to the rest.

Personally, I'd get a 350 or a 383 and call it fun.

 

well i personally have a mild stock vehicle. The only thing that isn't original is the replacements parts like coolant hoses, aftermarket trans cooler..and a modified trans....
My goal is to purchase a Snoggin-dickey TPI 350 performance engine and keeping it look as stock as possible using the original cast alumium valve covers. When you see headers under the hood and chrome valve covers people will start thinking your car has been modifed off the bat...
Now if you were able to get a pair of SLP's Tri-Y headers, SLP's cold air induciton kit, or SLP runners... you can easily say it was parts that was dealer ordered from SLP aftermarket catalog (back in the day) as a option for installation. So that can still be proclaimed as a "Stock" car....because it was period correct aftermarket components for that TPI engine.

some of judge car shows allow you to have aftermaket headers and still get your car in the "Stock class" so you won't lose points for it. More or less they all you certain things you can put on before they say it's modified....plus they won't know if you installed a aftermarket cam, unless you say so...

Now if you go to the Trans Am nationals and proclaim your car is stock and you got a bunch of aftermarket stuff on ... then heck they'll boo you out! hehe

 

stock does not mean over the counter, period correct. It means stock! Now, the question comes down to how far can you go without it being known. If you put a chip in the computer, it's not stock, but who would know. If the engine internals were changed, but the original block, heads and intake are used, you can probably get away with it. Stock means stock, but many people are bending that rule a little by doing what was mentioned. The question has been raised at some shows if replacement parts, like batteries, tires, hoses, belts, plugs, etc reverse the stock claim. Most show people draw the line on those items as keeping 20+ year old parts could be unsafe. Most shows require stock to be stock appearing, all around, and not period correct parts that were available on a similar car.

The shows I go to would mark this example as non stock. A 1987 Z28 with the rockers painted, 16" IROC rims and IROC-Z striping, would be a modified or custom. Now, all parts used were from a 1987 IROC-Z so they were correct and dated correctly. The car was not originally an IROC-Z so the minor changes make it non stock.

 

Wow. The only time I've been to a place where cars were put into categories (as a participant, not a spectator) a Datsun station wagon with a super hot 305 was in the stock class with me and my pretty much bone stock IROC.

 

So my idea of doing some things internally to the 305 when I rebuild it to make it more torque happy is OK as long as they dont know it was done or maybe polishing the inside of the intake runners, custom chip, etc.

Additionally, what about what rockingta89 said

This would be great if that logic is acceptable at ALL car shows including the Trans Am Nationals. What do you all think. Is it? If indeed it is I am all over it.

For giggles just say yes this would be acceptable. Would it be beyond the realm of possiblity to get a judge thats very **** that would say "I dont believe that this SLP stuff is acceptable as stock"

 

For years my car was entered in stock but as soon as I put chrome valve covers on the judges moved me to modified...and I started winning...go figure...all I did was change the covers...same basically stock engine on the outside...oh well when they did that I change my interior and started winning with a modifeid interior too...if you can't beat them, join 'em...

 

If the judges aren't **** enough to crawl under your car & read casting #s, just SAY it's a 305...Externally, the judges will never know that it is a 350.

 

Good luck going to a show and convincing a judge that your car came that way. Ain't gonna happen.

....I'm going to go back to the original idea of this post and ask WHY you would want to make a numbers matching car. Now don't get me wrong, if your car already IS NUMBERS MATCHING (Scott) then by all means, it's cool. -and I'd never junk the original 305....But these cars just aren't old enough to justify an engine swap simply for the possibility of some cheap plastic trophies here and there. 20 years from now, then sure, but now? I dunno, I just don't see it.

I guess we each have the things we like.

 

I think you have to modify to taste. Your the one who has to live with the car. Keep it stock if you consider it an investment but these cars are never going to fetch as much as a '70 Chevelle SS. You should also consider the amount you drive it. You might want to upgrade somethings if it's a daily driver.

 

Thats basically along the lines I was thinking. I had to pull the 305 becasue I risked shooting parts of my engine thru the block.

Decisions Decisions

The problem for me is I know the car is not #s now so why not have fun with it and just MOD it up like I want to. Then I think well I shouldnt chop it up w/ MODS just do a build on the LB9 and get all you can out of it a let it ride.

Like I said ''Decisions Decisions"

 

I see this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-....c0.m245.l1308

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-....c0.m245.l1308

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-....c0.m245.l1318

and I think well maybe not MOD it up.

 

Are you talking about the vert?

 

Not just the vert but any of them. I see what limited production T/As bring and I think wow these cars were cheap as peanuts back in the 80s. I realize they had to reach 40 yrs old but maybe thats the magic age for these cars to begin getting respectable money. Although I never plan to sale I would like to think I have valuable and rare vehicle.

Look at the early 70s T/As and see what folks are bidding on those things. Even if they dont sell the bids are still respecable I believe.

Check these out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-....c0.m245.l1308

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-....c0.m245.l1318

 

You see guys with older modded cars restore back to "original" quite often. Sure, there are some things you can't do, but you can do a whole heck of a lot.

....plus, is the car an investment, or a car. I'm not one to preach that cars are to be driven, blah blah blah, it's your car, do what you want... ...but YOU have to decide what you want out of it! I couldn't sacrifice all the years of fun and modding, only to get a higher price tomorrow. .....but I understand either way you go.

 

Most of those cars on ebay are investments. People are looking to turn a profit. Just keep the mods simple if you want to go original one day.

 

To my mind, the distinction is do you want Collector's Plates or to enter show competitions. Two entirely different prospects. Here in British Columbia, the government insurance (Insurance Corporation of BC or ICBC) states:

" It is important that your vehicle's components and condition be consistent with the manufacturer's original specifications. However, ICBC may allow some exceptions. Examples include safety improvements and adding after-market parts of the same era as the vehicle."

So that could allow headers, etc. consistent with the vehicle's vintage (I think of speed equipment for Ford Flat-head V-8s for example) or the use of radial tires versus bias ply. On the other hand, with vintage cars, some purists insist on vintage fasteners or even vintage parts installed with vintage tools. I guess in that realm it depends on how **** you want to get and how **** the judges are.

 

I favor the OE look, so my car appears to be bone stock, but.... Check my Car Details to note what lurks below the surface, so to speak.

JamesC

 

I agree. Chocolate on the outside, peanut butter on the inside.

 

It will be quite sometime before I do it but hypothetically (maybe a ? for another board) what can you expect hp/tq wise maxing out a LB9 while keeping it stealth like (stock/OE) in appearance?

Exactly what can you do to make hp/tq while not changing the appearance of an LB9. Is 300hp/375tq out of the question. I noticed stock #s of the Speed Density and even 89 MAF LB9 was 230hp/300tq from the factory.

Got those #s here https://www.thirdgen.org/1989-chevy-camaro

 

I have a few members of my Fbody club here in northern new york one is an 84 Z-28 305/5 speed he has dyno sheets for 320hp/310ft lb and an 89 Trans Am with a TBI 305/700R4 getting dyno proven 307hp 300ft lb so yes you can get "decent" power from a 305 you just have to choose your internal go fast goodies carefully especially if your on a budget, there are also rumors of a fellow soldier here who ran with a Z06 with his TPI 305/700R4 Iroc but I didnt see that drivetrain, just saw his insane 389 stroker.