Everytime I try to search to find any helpful info the same thing happens in the threads. The endless debates of 305 vs. 350. TBI vs. The world. Is there no simple information on here without weeding through YEARS of the same guys having the same conversation?

I am not wanting to set speed records but at least bump the hp numbers over 200-250. Not interested in taking the time and money to burn chips. Would like to keep tbi setup as well. Vortec heads are possible but involves a different intake. I saw on here a pic of an edelbrock performer tbi intake but cant find it on their website. Headers of course but i have to keep my smog **** in tact so the edlebrock tes comes to mind.

I am in the process of purchasing a brand new l03 from gm. I can modify cam/heads etc. before they ship but i dont know what the stock ecms limit is. You would think gm would know but these arn't exactly paying their bills anymore so its obsolete.

I know that there are a ton of mods out there to wake these cars up but I am looking for the simplest, most cost effective way to get there. I'm already knocking around 2grand between long block and new accesories. Is it possible to get these numbers from a stock tbi ecm?

 

2 grand for a new lo3 is definitely not the most cost effective way, maybe the biggest waste of money. Real power without tuning in these cars is not possible. Just a fact of life. You want decent power, you need new heads/cam; you change those, you need to tune chips. Only way to get a bunch of power without tuning is spraying it with nitrous.

I agree, in part, about the search on here now though. The new search function sucks badly, it used to be so good and now it seems like I never find what I want.

 

I agree, 2K will get you a production L31 350 Vortec and matching intake. That is about as cost effective as it can get. 250+ HP vs your current 170 HP sounds like a definate plus to me. 340 TQ compared to 255 TQ is another plus.

Read this thread, it has about all the info you could want.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...i-buildup.html

 

$2000.00 for a longblock L03 is astronomical in price. You should be able to get a 305 shortblock all day long for $500.00 from pretty much any "engine rebuilder" near you.

A cam and heads are real easy to install. L31 Vrtech heads will run you around $500.00 for the pair from Summit or Jegs. IF you currently have a 305 or a 350 roller engine, you can take and have your cam reground to whatever cam card specs. You will need to find a shop near you that can do this. That should run you $100.00 at the most and you can reuse your roller lifters. A Vortec carb intake at the most is $300.00 from Summit or Jegs. That's going to put you at $1400.00 without the cost of head, intake, and exhaust gaskets.

 

I'm actually in charlotte nc. i am not sure exactly what the emmision laws are. I've looked at local places here and their prices for rebuilt are pretty much in the same ball park as 1500. the downside is a 12 month warranty vs. 3 year/100,000 mile from gm.

The bottom of the barrell gmpp 290hp crate 350 would be ideal. I dont know the law here again but guys at work tell me i would have problems getting a sticker. if someone knows the exact law in nc or a shady place that doesnt care in charlotte feel free to let me know.

I can pick this longblock up for 1500+shipping as well. intake, carb and change module in dizzy. something done with fuel pressure too right? will serpentine setup work on that or just get old school brackets as i'm replacing all accesories anyway. what else am i missing with this option. seems like the cheapest way to get there.

whats the stats on an lo5? couldn't i just swap the ecm's and be done that way?

 

Personally, I think 2k for a Brand New, GM built factory origional motor isn't a bad price at all. Unless you can find somewhere cheaper. Their LO3 isnt a Target motor, is it?

But think about it, if you wanted a new motor, but no mods, then I would say its a decent price. I wouldnt pay 2k for a motor to tear into, though. If you are going to just open it up and start replacing stuff, a 350 shortblock would be a better route. There is no reason to pay for heads, cam, intake ect. that you are going to take off. And you are paying for assembly, which you are gonna end up doing yourself anyway.

 

not really wanting to tear into it. i can have a better cam install or headswap for a cheap price before they ship it to me. but this is my daily driver and as much as i would like to drop a better engine in i need it asap.

that was my thinking brand new not rebuilt. 3 year 100k warranty for 1500 isnt bad in my book either.

 

No matter what you do you can't add any speed parts other than mild bolt ons without needing a retune. The only option ot make more power is to go with a stock 350 and just plop in a stock 350 chip from GM along with 350 injectors and knock sensor.

 

http://www.fivestarengines.com/crate_engines.htm
my setup, entire engine totaled out to 3000 to make it run in the car.

go onto www.summitracing.com I have fallin in love with this website, I have got many good affordable parts for the TBI car and the TPI car. You can find the Edelbrock Performer TBI intake on there aswell.

 

so its that simple to up to a l05? Specific Chips and injectors?