I can afford the engine but not the installation. Does anyone know of any cheap places that can install engines. Someone suggested that i have like a college do it because they would only charge for materials. But i dont know how safe that would be. Any suggestions.

 

well to do a motor urself would cost nothing and it would insure u that all worn parts are replaced as well as the jobs quality. It really isnt that hard to do if u have some mechanical skills. If u dont i wouldnt touch it. If u decide on doing it urself and need assistance i am sure everyone on the board would walk u through

------------------
1989 pontiac firebird
bright red exterior(just repainted)
grey interior
5 spd
305 TBI (stock)
WS.6 formula wheels
3.73 posi rear end
-------------------------
system: 2 10" MTX thunder 2000 in a Professionally done custom bandpass box.
Blaupunkt CD player
Blaupunkt 4x6 and 6x9
600 watt rockford fosgate 4.6 amp

thinking about a flowmaster

 

Check out the speed shops in your state too. Wouldn't hurt calling around and talking to people just to see if there is a price difference. Also, go to a thread that is like a Nebraska car message board or something and start talking to people there. They could actually come to your garage and help u out. Thats what it is like over on my Michigan Great Lakes board over at camaroz28.com Here is a link, they might have a place for u.

http://www.camaroz28.com/messagebd/index.html

------------------
Eric Natzke
91 Firebird 305 TBI (ZZ4 summer of "01")
ASCD Ram Air Hood-3" custom exaust-Flowmaster 80 Series-No Cat-Edelbrock TES Headers (coated)-March Pulleys-TBI Spacer-K&N Open ELement-TransGo Shift Kit-B&M Supercooler 28,000 GVW-Hypertech Thermomaster-160 Stat-3:42 GM Gears-Auburn Posi Unit-Edlebrock Strut Tower Brace-MSD Superconducters-Accel Cap & Rotor-MSD Blaster Coil-Rapidfire Plugs-265/50/R15 Tires-Emmison's all Gone
http://members.aol.com/j007golden/91firebird.html

 

Im with onefine8t9 allthough i found an engine swap to be one of the easier things ive done its pretty straight forward, disconnect all that holds the old one in
pull it out
installation of new one is reverse of removal

now if you are swapping cams, heads, or other stuff like that it wouldnt hurt to have some guidance there with you

shops charge arms and legs for engine swaps and i guarantee youll be going back there so often youll be on a first name basis with everyone there from what ive heard from every person that had a shop do an engine swap for them for all the little things the shop forgot

 

i know a guy who used to work for me at auto air plus that did our mech work incl engine swaps. I could give him a call and see what he would charge.
ps. can i have first dibs on buying your 305?

 

Well i probably wont get it done till towards the end of this sumer or next winter because i think i want to get the gears done first. I already have the posi just havent got around to getting them installed.

I have a friend that was thinking about buying the engine what would you be willing to pay? I really have no idea what it is worth.

 

You also have to remember that if you do it yourself, you will need another car to drive for probably about a month or half a month, (however long it will take u to take out and put in a new engine, probably long since this is your first time). If you can't get another ride for the period of time your working on it then it might be a better idea to take it to a speed shop and get it done in a week or so.

Do u know anyone or have u talked to anyone from Nebraska that works on cars yet? I was checking out that message board I sent ya and I couldn't find a Nebraska section for you. Sorry. Might have to do a profile search or something. If this is your first time, I think it would be wise to have someone that has done it before there with you so you don't forget anything or make any mistakes that will cause you to work longer on the project then you want too.

[EDIT]
I was thinking, maybe someone that has already takin a LO3 out of the car and put a different engine in could make like a tech article or somethin. Cause there is a lot of us that have takin our engines out already, Pablo, Z28 Boy, etc.. If someone would take the time to do it and go through all the steps that would be pretty cool.

[This message has been edited by 91Bird305 (edited November 20, 2000).]

 

The other car thing isnt a problem. Thats why i wondered if anyone knew any places that would do it or knew someone that could do it in their spare time. I wouldn't care if 3 months if it was cheap. Any suggestions on what i should do first my engine or gears?

If you want to give him a call that would be cool. I dont really care how long it would take him i just dont have a lot of money.

 

well if i where u i would give ur motor a nice tune up and oil change just to get u by on it and i would have the gears done. After the gears are done drive ur car till the motor takes a **** (while saving money) and than buy a motor. I would really try to do the job urself though. U never know what a speed shop will do. It could be great or it could be the worst experiance ur car would ever go through. I mean if u think about it, a motor job really isnt that hard. Just label all wires and connections and the rest of the motor is only held in by 2 bolts , Of course all pullys,fan,radiater,ect..have to come off but the concept is relateviely simple.

BTW i would recomend haveing ur gears done by a shop b4 a motor job. A motor is only a matter of taking apart and putting together. Gears need to have very specific clearances between eachother....

------------------
1989 pontiac firebird
bright red exterior(just repainted)
grey interior
5 spd
305 TBI (stock)
WS.6 formula wheels
3.73 posi rear end
-------------------------
system: 2 10" MTX thunder 2000 in a Professionally done custom bandpass box.
Blaupunkt CD player
Blaupunkt 4x6 and 6x9
600 watt rockford fosgate 4.6 amp

thinking about a flowmaster

 

Yeah, I agree with Mike. Ask around if your going to take it to a speed shop. Find one that everyone reccomends. Forgot to mention that last time.

------------------
Eric Natzke
91 Firebird 305 TBI (ZZ4 summer of "01")
ASCD Ram Air Hood-3" custom exaust-Flowmaster 80 Series-No Cat-Edelbrock TES Headers (coated)-March Pulleys-TBI Spacer-K&N Open ELement-TransGo Shift Kit-B&M Supercooler 28,000 GVW-Hypertech Thermomaster-160 Stat-3:42 GM Gears-Auburn Posi Unit-Edlebrock Strut Tower Brace-MSD Superconducters-Accel Cap & Rotor-MSD Blaster Coil-Rapidfire Plugs-265/50/R15 Tires-Emmison's all Gone
http://members.aol.com/j007golden/91firebird.html

[This message has been edited by 91Bird305 (edited November 20, 2000).]

 

It shouldnt take you a month or half unless you are REALLY slow, I did mine by myself (first engine swap ever) in two/three days (cant remember). I dont see it taking longer than a week for anyone really unless you run into some major problems

get the basic mods first though like headers, catback, etc, a stronger motor will be choked by the stock exhaust anyways

[This message has been edited by Pablo (edited November 20, 2000).]