I'm sure this has been asked before, but after a decent ammount of searching I haven't found very many conclusive answers.

Like the title says, I'm new to Third Gens. I've owned a 2005 Sunfire GT and a 2000 Camaro SS and done a bit of work on both, but I've never dealt with a project the scale of my newest (1986 Berlinetta Camaro V8, 4L60 auto tranny). I'm in the process of restoring the car, touching it up, fixing the little bits of time wear to the interior, replacing broken seats, etc... But, my biggest concern is speed - I'm looking to bring this vehicle up to 350-400 horsepower, by whatever means, and I'd like to get some opinions on what I should do to reach that goal. There are only one real stipulation here; it needs to be startable in the Winter (North Dakota winter, at that). As far as suggestions go, I'm looking for potential swap ideas and potential rebuilds/addons to the current power train (which has about 140,000 miles on it, but is in surprisingly good condition) - my biggest concerns are cost and reliability, beyond that I have very few biases. I'd appreciate suggestions on where I can get the parts you suggest, too... Especially in terms of engine swaps (models of vehicle to look for in scrap yards, etc).

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated; I've always wanted to build a Third Gen. I'm 19, and I clearly remember this as the first sports car I really fantasized about as a little kid - it's got alot of nostalgia for me.

 

Welcome to thirdgen.org.

350 gross flywheel HP? No biggie, it's in the sig. Starts all winter long. Note it's an '86 carb system.

400 takes a little more cam, little better intake manifold, but that's about it.

 

That's about what I'm looking for, yeah. I'm trying to roughly match the performance of my 2000 SS, maybe beat it by a little bit. Don't care if it's naturally aspirated of forced induction; the Lg4 is what my Berlinetta has, so in short... a new tune, heads, intake and cam, headers and exhaust should get me close? Or will I need an upgraded block and roller assembly as well? Also, do you think keeping the current transmission, with as many miles as are on it, is advisable without major rebuild? And is there a manual transmission that you'd suggest for a performance 3rd gen?

 

Not many manual trannys are available for your application from the junkyard. A 6 speed from a 4th gen camaro works nice, or an aftermarket TKO 5 speed or something like that. (Stock 5 speeds are notoriously weak).
Yea, you'll want to upgrade to a 350 block. You can port your 305 heads, or go aftermarket to make things easier. Check the exhaust board, there's a sticky about headers. As long as you avoid the 1.5" primaries, like the cheapie flowtechs or summit brand ones, you'll be fine.
3" single exhaust all the way back.

What tranny is in it now? 5 speed or auto?

 

Auto's in it now. 4L60, I think. It's going to need a full rebuild or replace either way I think; it likes to rattle a bit, especially in reverse. Which of my current engine parts are worth keeping, assuming I build a 350? And do you recommend the L98 block, or are there any common trucks with good compatible blocks in them(especially the L98, or a ZZ3)? I really like the idea of an Ls1 swap, or Lt1, but I'm not sure how many crashed 4th gens or Corvettes are around here. I may just stick to the auto, if I can't find any T-56s.

 

Quick question: What's the stock rear gearing of the stock 86 305 Berlinetta? 3.73?