What I am wanting to do is swap my old 305 and throw in a 355. But also I want to convert to carb. Now I already have a place to rebuild my tranny so it will be able to handle the hp and torque of the new engine and I got a place that can build it. Now I am an average fixer uper. I can do bolt ons and some more deeper stuff but I don't think I can take out an engine and put a different one in and convert it to carb at the same time. I figure a speed shop will know how to do this. But how long do u think a job (just the engine and conversion to carb) take for them? A week maybe? I'm not sure on this type of thing since I have never swapped an engine or been to a speed shop. Can u guys help me out here? Thanks

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Eric Natzke
91 Firebird 305 TBI (dropping in a 355 summer of "01")
-Edelbrock TES Headers (coated)
-P265/50/R15 tires
-MSD 8.5mm superconducters
-TBI Spacer
-Accel Cap & rotor
-160 Thermostat
Hypertech Thermomaster
-TransGo ShiftKit
-B&M Supercooler 28,000 GVW
-March pulleys
Custom 3" exaust (not cat)
flowmaster 80 series -Smog pump and AIR pulled
-Edelbrock Strut Tower Brace
-3:42 GM Motive
-Auburn Posi Unit
-K&N open element

http://hometown.aol.com/J007Golden/index2.html

 

If the new 355 and trany are waiting for you to drop off the Firebird it should take just inside of a work week (drop off Mon, pickup on Thurs). I think the books call for 12-14 hrs to swap an engine. But it depends on a lot of things. Has this shop done any conversions from TBI to carb? If they haven't it could add time to get things running right.

What it all boils down to is that shops rarely devote all their energy into just any one car. So all it takes is a small glitch and the days will add up.

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Mike

'90 IROC-Z, 5-speed, ZZ4, Trick Flows
Moderator SEThirdgen

 

Another thing to take into consideration is that most shops won't touch something like this with a 10 foot pole for legal reasons. You may have a hard time finding anyone reputable to do this.

 

Nah just tell em that you'll be making it into a race car an they'll do it. You probably won't get any warranty though...


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Alex
( 18 y/o crazy a$$hole from Morningside Maryland)

1985 Iroc Red with a sh!tty paint job that will be fixed soon
Full 3inch flowmaster exhaust, LT1 block, Dart heads, full length headers, MSD 6AL box, 8mm wires, Accel distibuter, Accel TPI system, J+E pistons, forged Rods, 1.6 to 1 roller rockers, Comp cams streetcam, 2800 TCI canverter, SLP stage four Prom, Weld on traction bars and subframe connectors, 3.73 auburn posi unit, and the list continues... Oh yeah a sony head unit and ten disc CD changer, infinity 6x9's in boxes, pioneers in stock locations and an 140 watt amp

 

Yeah, I have to call around asking if anyone has done a conversation from TBI to Carb. So about a week if no screw ups and u think they will probably charge me about 1,000 bucks. This isn't including the tranny rebuild. I think that is around 1200.