First off, let me apologize for my lack of knowledge. I am very new to this and am wanting to learn more. I recently purchased a 1987 firebird with a 350 swapped into it. The guy that I purchased it from said that the engine came from a truck originally. It is a carbureted 350 with edelbrock carb #1406 0632 and and edelbrock manifold on it. I am trying to figure out where that would put me in terms of HP from the factory. What would be the best mods to do to it to get the most bang for the buck? Would I be better off swapping it out for an LT1 out of my 4th gen? I currently have a 700r4 in it. I have a t5 in my 4th gen. I am not looking for crazy but I would like to go places. Budget is around $1500. I would like to do as much of the work myself. I have mechanic friends but they are not the teaching type. Also, I bought the car for $1300 with 104k on the chassis, not the engine. Would you say that is reasonable?

IF..... the engine is in good shape and with that budget which wont get you too far.. Get a set of Vortec heads $600, Vortec specific Carb intake and 150?, headers +Y-pipe $400, and a mild cam kit $150.

I would second that suggestion. If its a healthy motor, that should certainly wake it up quite a bit along with proper tuning of the carb but at the same time not be too crazy.

Just keep in mind that if you want to swap a T5 behind that motor, the T5 isn't the strongest of transmissions. Some people have good luck with them, others not so much. But its good to be aware of its limitations either way.


As far as where you're sitting currently HP-wise, that depends on a few things like what year the truck was that it was taken from.