Using my 84 Z28.

A friend of mine recently purchased a 2005 GTO. Its a cool car, fun and fast, but he's let that LS2 go to his head, and I feel the time is coming for my third gen to teach him a thing or two about arrogance!

Unfortunately, this is a tall order, as the LS2 is a badass engine and my pockets don't run that deep. I have an old school 4 bolt 350 block on my garage floor, and I need to find a way to make that thing strong enough to run with an LS2.

Soooo, I am looking for suggestions with regards to the combination I'll need. I don't want to run NO2. Cam, heads, intake, carb, etc. I like to build my engines myself, so I don't want to run a crate motor. Not that I have anything against it, I just really enjoy working on engines. The engine needs to be streetable. (Maybe I should just run a big block, lol)

Also open to suggestions for the trans; doesn't currently have one but its set up for an auto. (The GTO is a 6 speed, so I have that working against me too!) Converting it to a manual is probably going to be cost prohibitive, so I'm going to run an auto of some sort. What should I do for a rear end?

Anyway, the build will be a slow going one until I move to a cheaper place, but I'll keep everyone updated. I thank you for your suggestions in advance!

 

this is what i got in the making.
383 HSR. using stock 350 L98 2 bolt block. bored .030, add a 383 stroker assembly. thats gona cost me at least 1400$

this is where i save my pennies.
HSR, ported, port matched to felpro 1206.(costs 500$)
58mm TB( cheapest one at 200$)
ford SVO 30lb injectors (200$)cheapest i could find and thats cheap for 30lb
PATRIOT 195CC aluminum heads assembled, dual springs etc. good for 500-550hp(900$)
comp cams XFI 280 cam, 230/236, .571/.567 lift 113 lobe (250$)
proform aluminum 1.6 full roller rockers (160$)
add all the other lil things and im making close to 470-490hp with sumthing like 9.8 compression. i would SHlT on a LS2/LS1/most new vettes(not 500hp LS9) etc

oh and im running a 700r4, built tho and 2500 stall. automatics although not as much fun to drive are actually quicker at the strip. better launches, more consistent. and if u got one built they shift HARD and really fast.

my motor kinda costs alot compared to carbed motors cuz the EFI cr@p. but u could just as easily get a set of patriot 195cc or there new 215cc heads for less than 900$ and get a good cam and just slap on a edelbrock RPM gap and a carb and ur ready to go. too many options to list but u could always go with AFR heads, etc and spend alot more.

 

You might out-run him stop light to stop light, might even get a timeslip with a better ET, but he's going to beat you gas station to gas station, cruising, listening to tunes, etc.

But, to get there and still be able to drive the car in the street, you almost have to start with a 383. So, get a quality stroker rotating assembly.

Heads - gotta have good heads. GM Fast Burns, Dart Pro 1, something along that line.

Is your 350 roller or flat tappet? Roller will allow you to have a little healthier cam while maintaining somewhat decent street manners.

Do you still have the original q-jet? Believe it or not, it's more than adequate with an RPM Spreadbore intake (unfortunately not available in the Vortec style).

Good exhaust, all the way from the ports to the rear bumper.

Rear end will need some help. You can beef up the 10-bolt to stand up to an engine that will stay with the GTO (aftermarket 28-spline axles, aftermarket posi carrier, aftermarket gears, support cover, welded tubes). Figure on at least $1000, but that's still better than what the typical 12-bolt or 9-inch will run you ($2500).

When I was looking about a year and a half ago, I was seeing LT1 T56's with everything needed to convert over for about $1400. I'd assume needing a new clutch, so add that to the cost. It won't be significantly more than what a well built TH700R-4 and good converter will cost you.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Looks like Im going to have to go with a 383 setup, which is fine. My engine is a flat tappet setup; its an older style 2 piece rear block. I'm not sure what exhaust to run, but I'd like it to be true dual all the way back - but I'm used to tri five Chevys, not third gens, so I don't know how feasible that is. Also, what size exhaust - maybe 2.5"? I would think 3" would cause ground clearance issues.

I realize that I won't be able to get the mileage he does, and he'll always have the better cruiser, but as long as I can make him sniff my exhaust down the quarter I'll be happy. Should definitely get a good WTF?? out of him.