heres my situation. i'm 17, and i've been driving my sisters grand am for a while now. i know what i'm doing most of the time...i mean, how badly can you screw up a 150 horse front wheel auto? i've wanted a camaro since i was like 14.

sooo....i know the 3rd gens came with 305 (standard/auto) or 350 (auto).

i don't wanna drive an auto anymore. i really wanna get a stick.

so, which would be easier, get a 350 and swap a t-5/6 into it or getting a 305 and swapping in a 350? i'm assuming the tranny swap would be easier. also which would be cheaper?

do you think i should just get an lb9? i need something with at least 200 rwhp...

Get a later thirdgen (~89-92) with a L98 (350) TPI, then swap in a T56. It's not particularly easy, but it has to be the most documented swap on the face of the planet (well, for thirdgens, at least). Trust me, you'll be happier with a 350, and the later TPI L98's are a great place to start, you won't be disappointed. DO NOT get a 305 with a T5 tranny and swap in a 350. 350's came with auto's specifically because the manuals couldn't handle the torque. There will be some guys try to tell you the T5 will be fine, but your chances are shaky at best. It can be built to be strong just like any other tranny, but if GM didn't put it on 350's for that specific reason, then obviously it's not a good idea. You'll be much happier getting a 350/T56 combo in the long run.

Forgot to mention - the price difference between swaps varies. If you start with a TPI 305 and switch in a 350, you could probably do it relatively cheap (less than a grand), while your average T56 swap will cost about $1500. As for ease of installation, it depends on your wrenching experience, but neither is particularly difficult. Swapping in the tranny is easy, it's just getting the little things to work with it that will give you trouble (pedal and cylinder mounting, for example). Still, there are tons of guides, and MANY guys on the board have done it. It may cost a bit more to do the tranny swap, but man you won't regret using that T56 behind a 350. And again, I still say swapping a 350 in front of a 305's T-5 is not a good idea.

i might just get an lb9....i want about 250 rwhp for now...then i might sell it and buy a 4th gen or a different 3rd gen with the l98 and do a tranny swap. my wrenching experience is little to none, but i've got friends who can help. i'm good with lego's....does that help

Have fun trying to get 250rwhp out of a lb9. They had 220 flywheel HP at best. Deepending on years. Youll have ~245hp with a l98 and alot more torque. I would just a automatic l98 car. Driving these cars with an auto isnt gonna be like a grand am. They have enough torque so driving auto is fine. Besides do you really wanna change clutches every year or 2?

Exhaust and "free mods" will get you 250 hp. If it doesn't you aren't doing soemthing right.

He asked for the cheapest and easiest way to get to his goal. An LB9 w/exhaust is the cheapest and easiest way to get to a 250 horse stick. (of the options he mentioned). While a 350/T-56 is highly desireable, it isn't in the "cheapest and easiest" catagory.

The 305/5-speed -to 350 conversion would be the next easiest/cheapest, IMO. See sig regarding a T-5 holding up to a 350 (or 400).


Every two years?? Whew! I'm glad I'm not that hard on clutches. Mine last a LOT longer than 2 years.

i wouldnt worry about it in your case and just try to find the best condition, nicest one you can afford.


like you said.... you've been driving a grand am... pretty much any of them will feel fast to you at first....


btw, before you get too far into this, get a quote on insurance... because i can tell you, its going to cost you a decient amount.... be sure you can afford it ( or if you are a spoiled brat whos parents pay for it, be sure they're willing to pay it)

Umm, your T5 is built. I said its a bad idea to put a factory T5 behind a 350. Don't mislead him.

As for getting 250 REAR WHEEL hp - that's gonna take some work. The highest rated engine thirdgens came with (naturally aspirated) was the L98, which came with 245 FLYWHEEL horsepower. This translates to a little more than 200 REAR WHEEL HP. However, they make a TON of torque.

Get and LB9 if you want, it's your money, so you decided the "easiest and cheapest" route - but if you save up and get a 350, you won't be disappointed. And they're still fun to drive auto, so you don't necessarily have to buy a t56 to put behind it.

i will be paying for insurance...and probably half of my car. my parents said they'd give me some money towards a car. i'm aware insurance will probably be over 3k for me. its a bitch

If your planning on doing an engine swap, buy a V6 and put an 8 in it. It will save on insurance. I know my insurance company dosent need to actually see the car, so what they dont know cant hurt them!

thats not very good advice for a n00b to working on cars.







what i would do (again) would be not to worry so much about what engine it has, and while i would try to get a manual, i would be more concerned with getting a car with a straight body in good condition that hasnt been overly abused..... just as a starting point, lets be realistic, a teenager will not get the money for a manual swap very quickly

if you are anything like me and other car people i know, you will be happier with a manual... even if it costs a lil hp at first.

you dont seemed to be stuck with the idea of keeping it stock anyway, so id expect you to want toe mod or swap the motor and/or the tranny over the years anyway.

so really, you're shopping for the whole car, and not the drivetrain.