Ok folks, do not forget this fact:
I am in college, have a limited budget of about $2000 (to include the price of [possibly] a new hood and some minor body work) and this is my first project car.
Now then, my question. Should I get my 305 LG4 (in my 82 TA) rebuilt, or should I buy one of those mild performance engines from CSK Auto parts? Either way, I am going to need to buy a whole new induction system, and I already have the exhaust system ready. Also, I have no emissions requirements to meet, and the previous owner of the car took off all of the smog equipment.

Thanks a lot, folks
Jon
And I am only 18, and my dad is not mechanically apt.

 

2000 isn't much of a budget for an engine and body work. it doesn't take long to spend a lot of cash on rebuilding your engine. it may be cheaper to replace it.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

Whoops... I should probably clarify that. Over summer, I worked at a body shop, and I am doing all the body work myself, and the only money I need to put towards that part of the car is for the paint job. My old boss said he'd get my car painted there for $200 to $300 depending on the color choice, so that's all I really need for the body.
So, I suppose it would have been easier if I had just said that my budget was more like $1700 or 1800. Also, I've been thinking about it, and I suppose the engine may not need a rebuild, just some performance parts.
It has only 130k miles on it, and it does run, despite the fact that it deisels after turning it off.
And i already have a rebuilt TH350 tranny in there.
Thanks again!
Jon

 

I would go for the 350. It would take a lot to hop up an LG4. Just my .02.

 

350 if you can afford it. It's a price thing, yes estimates on both then decide.

 

Ok, so a 350? The 350 they sell at CSK comes rebuilt, with some new parts, but most of it is rebuilt. It comes with a new, mild performance cam, and stock heads, and 4 bolt mains. Costs about $900 to $1000. Then I have to purchase the induction parts, and the distributor, adding another, maybe, $400-$500. Now if I went with an Edelbrock Performer Intake and Carb, would that be good for some horsepower(assuming the longblock from CSK is good for about 230-250 hp)? Or would it just be better to purchase some new Vortec heads, intake, dist., and a new, powerful cam, and threw it on my LG4?

Jon

 

I went through the same debate. 350 or soup up this POS LG4? They suck so i decided quickly to get a 350, but the more i researched it, the better keeping the LG4 sounded, financially. I've personally decided that it is cheaper in the short run to soup up the LG4, since the engine has already been installed and runs well (but that is my car). Also found an article where they got 325 horsepower out of the LG4, if that helps any. Their budget was about the size of yours. Here you go:
www.geocities.com/pilot19.geo/page1.jpg
www.geocities.com/pilot19.geo/page2.jpg
www.geocities.com/pilot19.geo/page3.jpg
www.geocities.com/pilot19.geo/page4.jpg
www.geocities.com/pilot19.geo/page5.jpg
www.geocities.com/pilot19.geo/parts.jpg

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--Steve S--
1984 Trans Am 305 LG4, 5 speed
RPO codes point to Recaro version
Daily Driver, Flowmaster 80 Series

 

I am just finishing University as well, and money was a concern. But, after, building an LG4 block, and learning EVERYTHING about it, I would say do the 350. I started with a fresh rebuild 305-LG4 stock except a comp cams 260H & 3" catback. Wimpy cam, but whomps over the stock version - go with the XE-262 (follow WS6transam's buildup, very costworthy and posts respectable times. But don't port your heads, IMHO, not worth it) I then went with a Performer intake, headers (TES), electric fan, modd'ed Qjet, World Torquer 305's, (apparently poor flow #'s, maybe go with 80's aluminum corvette heads?) 3.73's, and a billion dollars later I *may* be in the 13's with my T-5, which is half-cut. If I could do it again, I would find a 350 (used) in your local paper with a decent bottom end & cam (yes, it can be done) from someone with a full set of teeth. Sounds funny? No I'm serious. Next, headers & catback. Absolutely neccesary before you do anything else. Whoooops! 2 grand is up! It's okay, you're running flat 14's by now. Well, you've spent what I've spent, if not less. But, with the 350, if you want more, you can do more. With the 305, sorry, N/A, you're close to done. It all depends on how the 305 is holding up and what you want.

Ok enuff, time for bed.
Later,
Hype.

 

ok, thanks for the input guys !

Jon

 

keep the 305,milk all the life out of it,I drove my L69 until the balancer broke and intruded the timing chain cover and shaved half the teeth off the cam gear which bent the lifters........

I don't have much against an L69 so I just replaced it last month,in boston,I sure as hell didn't want to work outside,so i just paid a shop $2200 for a reman. longblock 5 year warranty,they did an awsome job,nothings half A$$ed,nothing at all,it is fully emissions equiped. $1450 for the engine, $700 labor,they did some other stuff too. you should be able to get a decent 5.7 reman,watch out who you go to though,I liked NECO because they didn't make any out rageous promises,and where strait forward about leaving it a 305,a stock 350 wouldn't neccesarilly be any faster than the 305 HO.