Ok guys im new here and would love to be part of this community. I have a 1987 z28 camaro that I recieved as a wedding present. It has a Lg4 305 with what I think is a 700r4 tranny. Ok so the bad...the body is in wonderful shape but it doesnt run. I love cars with all of my heart but im by no means a good mechanic. Im trying very hard to learn all I can about working on cars but its a slow process as you all know. Ok so back to the car. The engine needs a carb being that the edelbrock thats installed is junk and has a lot of parts missing. It needs fuel lines and a power steering pump. This engine has 140 k miles and I have no idea how well the car was maintained so im thinking I should look for a 350 on craigslist. Id like to replace most everything in the engine bay. My goals for the car arent to far fetched in my opinion. Id like to have around 275-300hp and around the same or more tq. The car will be a cruiser. So guys where do I begin? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

No replys yet...come on guys lol I know its annoying dealing with the newb but I really wanna drive this thing...please help me lol.

 

First welcome to the site and congrats on your wedding. On the car considering your new to this sort of thing I think it might be a bit aggressive and unnecessary to set out to swap the motor and replace everything under the hood. What I would recommend is getting your LG4 up and running. Any parts you buy would swap onto a 350 but for now i would most definitely get some wrench time in with the LG4 then when you were a more experienced you can start thinking about motor swaps ect.

 

2 hours, at dinnertime for East coasters and during the rush hour commute home for West coasters, be patient.
Anyway, most of your answers have been answered many times over, in the sub-forum for engine swaps.
It would be good to get the 305 running first. Then start doing all the bolt-ons that will be necessary to support a 350. Things like a 3" cat-back exhaust, then headers, and better rear axle gearing. Getting 275 hp from an '87 LG4 is not difficult.

 

I must say im pleased to hear the 305 is capable of 275. You guys are right im rushing this. Im gonna mess up if I go to deep into this with out more experiance. Im sorry for being so jumpy im really excited about having something to turn a wrench on. Ill use the search to find a carb that works for me. Thanks guys.

 

Well hey no need to be sorry at least you didnt come in here with expectations of 600 hp and rip into your project only to find out later you were in over your head lol. So in my eyes your already ahead of the game. Its good to be excited. Soon enough youll get your hands dirty and in to time with a little work Im sure your project will shine again. Best of luck.

 

yeah, I would suggest making sure that the engine even turns over first before proceeding with the engine in it... if it does at least u have a fighting chance.. that engine could easily make 275 as long as it's running right.. luckily for u, carbs are much easier than fuel injection so u have a head start there too... honestly, if ur considering doing this urself, welcome to the family man.. cuz we're all learning.. everyday.. just take ur time and do things the right way.. since ur new, i would suggest buying a book about rebuilding that engine and follow it.. u can probably find it at advanced auto or any common parts store.. don't listen to what everyone else tells you cuz half the time they don't know either... if u really want to get it running, u will..