I'm looking for a daily driver thirdgen late 80's to early 90's. I want a TPI car. I'd rather have a 350, but I also want a stick - so what's easier, swapping a motor into a 305 car or swapping a tranny into a 350 car? How much power will the 5 speed take? All I care about is performance, so what are the must have options and RPOs? What year(s) in the late 80's and early 90's have better performance parts i.e. cam, brakes, suspension, rear end? Thanks for the info.

 

I think after 87 they put in a roller cam with the roller lifters.

 

The newer MAF ECM started in 86 along with the L98. I think roller started in 86, but im not positive. I believe serpentine belt started in 88. MAF cars were 85-89 and SD was 90-92. I would opt for a GM rear over the Borg for gear options. IROCs and WS6s had a beefier suspension. So IMO, I would get a 92 IROC or Formula with a 5speed and swap a 350 after. Before the swap, you can put a cam in or whatever cuz its easier while its out.
EDIT: Its a 1peice seal starting in 86 and roller in 87 like redbird said.

 

Well you cant get a 92 Iroc cause they stopped making Irocs in 90, but you could get a 9-92 Z28 which were similar than the Irocs engine wise. I would look for a 89-90 IROC

 

You're not going to find an '86 L98.

What was the engine code for the 50 or so produced that year?

 

Why do you want a thirdgen daily driver? Lets say you had $10,000 to spend for a car. This is pretty cheap for most cars really. You could buy a Saturn or even a Buick Century (I had one, theyre great) for about 5 grand that would be really reliable and comfortable. Then you could get a nice Camaro or Firebird thirdgen for about the other 5 grand. I got a 91 Z28 305 with 90K miles for $4500 AND a 91 formula WS6 with 80K miles for $5500. Then you could drive your practical car every day, put tons of miles on it, get it dinged in parking lots, birds crapping on it etc. And keep your thirdgen in the garage most of the time and just drive it on weekends or sometimes during the week. When you take it out and stop somewhere you park it in the farthest away parking spot so some moron doesnt dent it with their door. You don't pay so much for gas driving it to work every day either. I realize it takes some extra money but most people pay 20K to 40K for one car.