so im looking to get into the third gen crowd. ive always loved the looks of them and i need a cheap project car to keep my need for speed happy. not sure what i want really could be firebird, camaro, gta, iroc whatever. must be a v8. now my question is i have seen a lot of them under or around 2k, a couple that i like for around $1500. does this sound right to everyone? or am i just asking for trouble buying one that cheap? what do i need to look out for? what years do you suggest? i would prefer a 350v8 but if it has a 305 whats the best years to be able to make a swap to a 350 later? or should i just stay away if it has a 305 cuz i eventually want at least a 350? sorry for all the questions. any common issues to look for?

Thanks!

Depends on what your looking for. I would look for a TPI 350 with a good body. If you are going to be pouring a few grand into it I would start with a good foundation which is going to cost you more than $1500 - $2000. Why pour money into something that is going to rust out from under you. If you get a 305 it doesn't matter what year you get. Its a small block chevy and any sbc (305/350/383/400 etc..) will fit in there no problem.

Only common issue I think of is to check for rust under the ground effects (if so equipt) and look under the body where seats are to check for rust. I have heared plenty of stories where seats crack through the floor.

so what would a solid foundation tpi 350 with maybe minor rust cost? i found a 86 305v8 firebird for $2100 that was from alabama with no rust but i know eventually the motor would need changed to meet my speed needs. but i dont want to buy something only for everyone to tell me that its cheaper to sell it and buy one with the 350. thats what just happened to me, had a mustang 5.0 motor that my brother gave me so i was looking for something to put it in and out of impulse bought a 95 tbird v6. i knew at one point they had the 5.0 in them, but i didnt know i would basically need all the parts from the older tbird to get it to work. in the end it woulda cost waaay more to put my motor in it then to just buy the older tbird so im just trying to avoid that.

Having looked a year ago I would say closer to $4000 for a 350 TPI car that you couldn't see through the floor boards. 4 years ago I picked up an 84 T/A 305 carb car with no rust but severly faded paint for $2600. Thought it was a great deal.

305 and 350 are easily interchangeable. V6 to V8 adds a transmission and exhaust to the mix. TPI swaps adds wiring and computer.

I live in Michigan and this year I have bought two 1988 Formulas, both L98 350 cars. They both are super solid body and floors. I paid $3000 for one and $3180 for the other. They are neither one show cars, but I agree with everyone else the solid body and floors are the best place to start. I found the second car on E-bay in Ohio and it's got slight bubbling around the rear wheel's because some body put mud flaps on it. There is no rust anywhere visible though and the floors are solid so That might be a place to start your search. Right now with money tight people are selling things they wouldn't normally sell.

in WI i recently got my 83 z-28 with crossfire injection 350 for $1500 and there was barely any rust on it. running and all. sure, not TPI, but for the price it was a great deal. like i said, the body is solid. the interior is trash, but for $400 i bought another interior in much nicer shape from the same guy that i got the car from. just keep watching for deals and you'll find something. don't jump on the first one that comes your way!

yeah i bought one already.

paid $800, wouldnt start, just needed a new starter.

92 camaro rs 5.0l TBI auto 100k miles. floors and body are solid. some rust on wheel well where prev owner tried to bondo some but not too bad. could use a paint job but looks good from 50ft. interior in good shape after cleaning, could use carpet and new headliner. runs good cept needs the vats removed so i can use the stock computer instead of a truck ecm. otherwise i got a great deal

I need help I want to run an 800-300 holley box, crank trigger, and mallory distributor-could anybody give me some help on the wiring-I am using a 7749 ecu but would switch back to a stock tpi box if I needed to run the anihalator ign box-you can adjust your timing curve according to boost with a 3 bar map sensor with the holley setup-the engine is a 400 aluminum donavan with a sb2.2 top end and my own sheet metal tune port and twin turbo setup