I found a 350 out of an '89 Trans Am (at least the guy says it's a 350 ... I'll use casting #s to verify when I see it) with 132k on it. He wants to sell the entire motor including TPI (minus the wiring harness) for $300. He will throw in the rear end for an additional $150. Is this a good deal on the motor, rear end or both? And is this rear end (BTW it has disc brakes) much better than my 2.73? I'm assuming it is the 2.77. Any chance it's a 3.27?

I couldn't tell you, but later this year I'll probly be selling the 350 TPI/700R4/3.23 rear out of my wife's 92 B4C; LSx swap is planned. PM me if you want me to keep you in mind when it's available

If he still has the 89 Trans Am you can verify by the OE motor size by the eighth number in the vin. If it's an 8 then it's a 350. The RPO codes will also shed light on how the car came equipped, including telling you the rear end information. If all that's long gone, you'll need to verify by casting number on the engine block, front or rear numbers as you know. If the rear end is missing the tag, you can id the rear end by exposing the stamped numbers on the inside passenger side axle tube housing.

He said he would try to get me the VIN by Monday, but he is pulling the motor over the weekend and will be able to see the casting numbers to tell for sure. As for the tag on the rear end, he also said it will be pulled over the weekend. I am looking for a 350 to rebuild at a good price. I just want to know if it is a good buy (assuming it is a 350 and the rear end is a 2.77 borg warner or a 3.27). BTW, he is including the TPI w/o wiring harness, which I plan to sell on ebay.

bump

Thats sounds about right for the complete engine (all the accessories). Especially if its running, that isn't bad.

On the upper rear of the block, it will have the displacement cast into it...

Plus if it hasen't been rebuilt, that is good because you may beable to get a couple more rebuilds out of it (assuming .020 or .030 is sufficient to clean up the cylinders). My old suburban engine had 150K on it, and .060 couldn't clean it up, had to sleeve two cylinders. But I beat the living crap out of that, plus it was pushing a huge lifted suburban.