As the title says, I have a 305 TBI. It's in my '92 Camaro RS. My brother had it for about 2 years and did some minor mods (open element intake, hooker aerochamber muffler). He got a 68 Camaro and I inherited the 92. I've had it for about 2 years now (122K miles) and haven't done anything besides fixing things that have broken (alternator, starter, tranny mount, a few others). So that's the history of my car.

I was thinking about selling it and getting something newer, but I figured I could fix it up and have a nicer car for less money than a new one.

I've been reading around here for a couple weeks and I am trying to learn all I can about 3rd gen camaros. Since then I've learned that the TBI is a relatively weak motor, or at least GM greatly limited it.

It makes 170HP/255TQ stock, and before I do anything, I'd like to know if it is plausible to get 275HP/300TQ without doing extreme mods (I don't know that much about cars unfortunately )


I'd like to get/do in some chronological order:

-complete tune up (gotta get in running right!)
-headers
-new cat
-cat back system
-pulley
-new fuel pump
-new heads (im not really sure what these are or how they work)
-new TB
-new intake manifold
-cam


I'm a little lost on where to begin, as I'm not sure what parts will work together, but I'd like to make my car faster without swaping the engine (I'm in college and I don't really have the time or money to do so! )

Is getting ~100hp/50TQ reasonable if I do all of these upgrades, or does a TBI 305 just not have that kinda potential?

If so, would the stock tranny and rearend (mine is an automatic) handle that increase in power?

Lastly, what would all of these mods roughly cost total?

 

The first thing after a good tune up would be to replace the entire exaust with something for, like, a tpi car with a single 3" cat and I-pipe. The idea is that you dont want to use any part that is the same size as the stock exaust, otherwise youll have all the same restrictions. The edelbrock TES headers + 3" y-pipe are ok. Theyre easy to put in but the sparkplugs are a pain to get to. There are other header kits out there but theyre more expensive. Next get a decent 3" cat and 3" catback exaust.

The cam, intake, tbi, aircleaner assembly, and fuel pump can be left alone for the moment. The fuel pump and tbi wont really need to be touched untill youve put in a good cam and heads.

 

That brings up a couple other questions.

What size are the stock pipes ono my car?

If I put on headers, will they reach to the cat, or will I need some sort of extension? I know the cat back is obviously everything from the cat, back, but what will I need to complete the exhaust from the headers to the cat?

Also, how difficult is it to put on headers? Some say you'll have to pull the motor but.... I'd like to avoid that!

How much power would a complete 3" exhaust system end to end add?

And besides power, will it make my relatively stock Camaro sound a lot better (i'm deciding between Banks and Borla cat-backs)?

Thanks!

 

The stock TBI piping was a crimped 2.25". Any aftermarket set of shorty headers tailored for 3rd gens will come with a y-pipe to hook up to a cat. This is why it is wise to get a set of headers that come with a 3" y-pipe (as opposed to 2.5"). You can then get a 3" cat and connect the y-pipe to the cat-back. Header installation isn't that hard but it does take time and a few busted knuckles. I have never heard of anyone failing to insall a set. Some people have different methods and some take more time than others, but in the end the amount of swear words are about equal and the job always gets done. Check out the exhuast board for more info. A few searches on header installtion will also give you a better idea of what to expect.