First time here I've looked and couldn't find much of what I needed I found out bits and pieces. So I'm running 91 RS with a LO3 TBI. First car. I am going to swap the thing later. And yes I've read alot on here not worth the money to MOD a LO3. But I'm not spending very much at all.
I recently went to a pick a part found a flowmaster cat back edelbrock shorty headers and a edelbrock performer TBI. Got it all for around 150 bucks. Car already has a 2.5 inch pipes and the flowmasters on as of now. But I was told the car needs a tune up. Simple really go to autozone all done. Not really for me I just got a NOS TBI kit for my 305 and I was wondering what is really needed to make it run well. Engine is very solid keeps all its oil since I got it not once have I filled it up. So I went on summit racing and racked up around 300-400 dollars on just the "tune up" wires distributor and spark plugs.. is that really needed? Someone also mentioned getting a MSD ignition.
Oh one more thing. I got a hold of 3.81 posi off a 4th gen camaro for about 160 bucks but some of you gents on here say it can be swapped others are doing whole 4th gen rear axle swaps. So did I mess up and waste money on those gears?

Sorry in advance if I missed something or didn't look hard enough for what I need to know.

 

go to rockauto: Plugs, plug wires, Distributor cap and rotor, coil, air filter, fuel filter, oil filter. Go to walmart and get some oil. Together it should be about $100 or so.

Done.

Don't mess with a MSD.

3.81? Doesn't sound right. But yes you can update your rear gears to get some more grunt to the car. A set of 3.42 with a good posi is usually the best bet overall. You can also do some minor cheap things, like an injector spacer (injector, not TBI spacer) and a flat base open air cleaner. Then enjoy what you have while you save up for something bigger and better down the road.

 

First thing I wish that I understood with my first Camaro was how important filtration and cleanliness is. A good daily driver has a quality set of of filters, well maintained. To learn the art of engine cleanliness, open the hood and use a pick/screwdriver to clean every crevice accessible as if it were a show car.

 

these old L03s are not fast engines but are tough as they come. You can increase the hp and torque to get a little faster but you gotta come to grips that nowadays these cars cannot pass a civic s.i (throws up in own mouth)

The first thing i would do that most ppl forget is to change the fuel filter at the rear of the car by the gas tank . heres a couple options from summit

https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...model/firebird

https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...l/trans-am-gta

you don't need to go crazy with the plugs and wires. in my old 92 i used mallory ignition but accel, champion, summit, taylor would do the trick. Msd are not worth the dollars unless u have a non-stock application in my opinion.

TBI spacers are useless..don't do that... a TBI upgrade will give u some extra boost. I put a tbi chip in my car... not sure if it helped with the HP but it did turn off the speed limiter.

The open element mod is a good idea to get some extra air in the engine with a k&n washable filter. I had this on my car.. heres a pic of the open element mod.. the how to thread is easy to find. How much HP is generated by it?.... hard to say tbh..but it looks better than stock imo.

 

Just to clarify, a TBI Spacer is not the same as an Injector Spacer.

TBI Spacer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Transdapt-27...lVV6S9&vxp=mtr

The TBI spacer is generally known as a waste of time and money. There are some that claim a benefit, but more arguments against them then there are for them. Not worth the $35-$60 for one IMO.

Injector Spacer: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-TBI-injec...RUZfww&vxp=mtr

The Injector spacer has mixed reviews but has generally been agreed to make a slight difference. I bought mine for $13 off ebay. Since my car basically stays at WOT, getting alittle more airflow was worth the chance on $13.

 

oh yes i know that .. the injector spacer is something i considered in my old LO3 but the tbi spacer is something i would never do.