imelmo

Hello. I just picked up a '91 RS t-top with an auto and a 305. Got it this past Friday. I like it so far. It's in real good shape for its age. Has a couple little issues but nothing major and it runs great.

I'd like to keep it pretty much like it is but bump the power up some. I was thinking around the 300-350rwhp range.

I'm heavy into diesel performance but haven't really fooled with gassers much. My 2nd diesel was about 750-800rwhp and was in Diesel Power magazine's Diesel Power Challenge. My last truck was turbo'd, Procharged, and nitrous, lol. And I have more money in parts for my current truck sitting in my office than what I paid for the truck. LOL

So this gasser stuff is gonna be a steep learning curve for me.

I'll read here and try and find the answers to questions I have, but I'm sure I'll be posting some others.

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imelmo

Here's a couple pics of it:








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esc

iTrader: (6)

That is one clean looking car.

If you want 300-350 RWHP out of a 305 you are probably talking forced induction or N2O.

I would probably go N2O (125-175HP) for as long as it lasts, which might be a VERY long time. Then build a 350 after it blows.

Since it is a T-Top car. I would put sub frame connectors on it before doing anything else.

1fas92

iTrader: (1)

Looks good !

I would just keep it clean and Depends on how much money you wanna spend & 300-350 rwhp can be done !

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Very nice, perfect for a Ls swap! That is my suggestion for everything.

esc

iTrader: (6)

LS is good. But it will still need sub frames...

1fas92

iTrader: (1)

I approve & agree with this message.......lol

And i like the two tone look black & silver...

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Depends on the output, lol.

esc

iTrader: (6)

300 - 350 RWHP on a t-top car?

I think that sub frames are a VERY good idea.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Naa, it would. E ok if it is. Of goig to hit the track.

imelmo

Hmm. Well what would be a reliable hp number to shoot for (or what reliable mods) with the 305? I guess when I can just throw a chip in an ole 7.3 diesel and have 300+ rwhp I didn't think that'd be too much for a 305. Like I said, I'm gonna have a steep learning curve.

esc

iTrader: (6)

That 7.3 is 50% more motor.

I'm no 305 expert, but I would guess that exhaust and tuning might get you 200 RWHP.

imelmo

What do these cars weigh about? 3300lbs-ish?

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ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Depends on the model, my TA and RS were 3400-3450, my current stripper RS ex police car is 3200, then there is the formula firebird, no Gfx, even less.

A 350 swap will do better than a 305 but the LS swap is popular an makes more power to start, diesel? There are
Swaps like it done before. Did not look at results.

imelmo

I know a couple people that have swapped diesels into Camaros and Mustangs. Nitrous Express put a Duramax in a 90's model Mustang to do one of the power tours. It got 35+ mpg and ran 9's in the 1/4.

I'm not looking to do anything extreme like that with this car though. It's meant to be my back-up/daily driver when I'm doing stuff to my truck.

Just looking to get a little extra umph out of it. I'll do some reading and see what's out there for the 305s and try what's available. If I still want a little more I'll probably just go with a crate motor with warranty.

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caditech

well if your big into diesal why not just put a duramax in your car? lol that would be one bad camaro

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Diesels are smelly and sound like crap compared to a cammed gas motor at idle or 7000+ rpm

305 engines are for the junk yard to me and many others, but you can take junk and make it fast, then you have fast junk, lol.

DrewsCam

iTrader: (2)

She looks pretty clean for whatever you decide to do with her

imelmo

Oh I don't know; I think they sound pretty good sometimes.

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ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

You will not see that on the street, i like mine for a street car:

5.3:


6.0:

one92rs

iTrader: (5)

unless you are rich it will not happen like that at all. it takes a lot of money for that. take it from someone that works on diesels every day.

imelmo

I know a little about diesel performance myself. It was a joke (sort of). I know that's not a street set-up and I know all to well how much it costs to get to that level (unfortunately). I could've bought a decent house with what I've put in my last 2 trucks and my current truck is climbing fast.

Having said that, I think the sound of my old truck rivals that of a gasser. I actually like it better but realize it's not everyone's cup of tea. :



But like I said earlier, I have no interest in putting a diesel in the Camaro. Well, no interest might not be accurate, maybe no IMMEDIATE interest. LOL

For now I just want to put a nice 350ish hp crate motor in there and enjoy the car. I really do like driving it, more than I thought I would.

I did some maintenance on it this weekend- trans filter/fluid, oil filter/oil, fuel filter, thermostat (it was leaking at the housing), pcv valve, changed out the starter that was going out, and a couple other miscellaneous things. I've got some new hood shocks and a new radiator on the way for it also. I'll be putting those on this weekend as well as trying to figure out why the dome light and hood light aren't working. May just be a fuse. I haven't had a chance to check yet. I need to put a horn in also so I can get a brake tag.

After that the only other things I need to address are replacing the a/c control panel as it stays on while in the off position unless you push it to the left really hard, do something about the slight rusting on the forward part where the t-tops sit, new tires, and get my buddy to get the stereo that's in it working again.

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