i recently acquired another trans am and now can work on the other. this will be a major learning process for all i have ever done on a car is fix all the problems i run into.

its an 87 TA with the 305 tpi 5 speed manual. money like most is an issue so i have been thinking of just using the 305 i have already and buiding that up. or buying a used 350 and working on that. i would just buy a crate motor but i would like to learn how to work on a motor myself. my goal is to have a car that can still be driven daily but beat a newer TA without too much work (since i cant afford one myself LOL). that might be asking a lot but i figured id see what you guys thought.

so im thinking a mid 12 would be a goal for now. if i was to use my current 305 is my goal even reachable?? if so what parts and think in the reasonable price range please, would anyone suggest? i like the tpi so i think i will keep that and not go carb. if not and i had to go 350 would anyone suggest a certain motor to go looking for like used or in the junk yard and what parts for that. all suggestions greatly appreciated. thanks in advance

 

i know someones gonna say it so ill go ahead ditch the 305 and build up a 350 you will get more power for less money

 

I wouldn't say it is practical to try and make a 305 go mid 12's without a power adder. On my lg4 I did a small cam, intake, carb, exhaust, 3.73 gears, and a 3500 stall that got me down to 14.4. My buddy out at the track got his down to 13.5 with a manual trans, vortec heads, mild roller cam, and the other usualls. He took that same top end and put it on a stock 350 short block for this year and ran a best of 12.15.

 

ok so 350 i will go. can anyone recommend a good set up in the not so very expensive range?? i have read a lot of people say this or that is the best to use but if going by money in my pocket and the best can not be purchased what kind of choices do i have?? thanks!!

 

Bottom line: the power is in the heads. This is where to spend your money. This is what eats the money. The goal determines the heads, and the heads determine everything else. The absolute cheapest heads trhat will get you there without a power adder are the Vortecs. $540/pr. new, plus shipping and upgraded valvesprings. Next, up the proverbial ladder, you can get a parr of new Brodix aluminum heads, bare, for $700/pr, and another $80 for good valves. From www.competitionproducts.com Plus you save 50 pounds off the nose of the car. And you get more choices of intake manifolds.
But this brings up your next issue: do you want to have good manners on the street, with power brakes, and use nitrous, or do you want wild top-end power? This determines whether you use the 180cc or the 200 cc intake ports. Or for only a couple hundred dollars more than running a 350, you can go to a 383. Then you can use the 200cc intake ports and have the power they offer, with the driveability of a 350 using 180s. So, how important is gas mileage?
If you decide on the 383, try to get an '87-up block. A 383 with Brodix 200s and a Crane 222/230-112 509/528 cam will get you there.

 

lets see... id like to keep the power brakes and im not a fan of using nitrous. maintaining some kind of gas mileage would be nice. not looking to make the car something that has to be trailered to the race track. just something that is fast and fun to drive wherever it goes ;-) so with knowing that would you say go 383 and use 180cc intake ports?? or stick 350?? any other suggestions with this build?? part names and web sites appreciated also so i can do my homework on learning what does what and why lol. thanks a lot to everyone that has or will make any suggestions.