I have a little dillema. I've been dead set on getting a 305TPI 5spd TA but I found a really beautiful 89 Firebird with a 305 TBI. I had everything planned out to do a 350 TPI swap, but I'm a little overwhelmed at doing a TBI to TPI swap on this car.

Can anyone give me hope on using a 350 with TBI and still net 300+ HP at the wheels? I'm pretty mechanically skilled but my garage is a bit limited so I'd want to stick with the TBI. I can't go carbs because I live in California.

What should I do? ARRGGHH!!

Here is the car:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...lor=&cardist=5

The body is almost mint and the interior was just redone. Does $4k for the car seem decent?

 

$4,200 for a 89 305 TBI with 150k on it? Dude save your money. I don't care how clean it is a 305 tbi with 150K on it is not worth $4,200. I bought my 91 RS 305 Tbi pretty clean with 118K on it for $2800.

I know when your in the market for a new car its easy to be tempted to buy something, but really you should wait and buy what you really want. It will be worth the wait.

By the way you should look that car up in the blue book, I bet it's not worth $4,200.

 

Does that description say that it has a 350 TBI. If it does that is not a stock motor. Get some details on the motor. If it is a typo and it is the original 305, then I would agree with John. He wants too much.

 

Thanks, I was probably going to rush in and buy it, but you are right, I should hold off and be patient..... It has a stock 305, the guy had no idea and wrote 350 in the ad.

I just get too excited to buy something after reading the message boards!!

Thanks again for the "sane" advice, I'll wait for a better deal.

Kelly blue book is 2100, damn.........

 

These cars a dime a dozen and make a great platiform for your 300hp goal. Keep looking. You can get some for practically nothing.

 

Well, I waited another day and found the keeper.

89 GTA 99k miles $3000

No T-tops, but it's already got the bottom end I need to start tinkering.

problems:
sagging headliner
one headlight not opening
stress crack on rear spoiler

Anyone had good luck with a used spoiler or should I bite the $500 and get one painted from hawks?

 

I saw headlight motors on Ebay so that fixes that problem.

Headliner can probably be fixed by a auto detailing company for a small chunk of change.

As for the spoiler...maybe check Ebay again..might find a nice one for dirt cheap that its pretty good condition.

 

Definately don't pay the $500. Like shifty said these cars are a dime a dozen. You could easily find a spoiler in a salvage yard for very cheap.

How bad is the crack? What material is it made out of? You might be able fix it yourself.

 

Glad to see you didn't get that '89 TBI car.

That was a complete rip off. I bought my '87 IROC-Z w 305 tpi and all options plus t-tops for $2400.

 

4200 could potentially be worth it, body is whats its all about not motor, as long as its a factory v8 your good, i have been in these cars a while and finding one with a good body is next to impossible, is the body is clean and never been hit go offer 3800$ money talks bullshII walks, motors not everything