Engine removal
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3
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From: Michigan
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Stock BW 3.27 limited slip
Engine removal
I have a 1989 Trans Am GTA w/5.7 motor. I've been told it has a 1989 Corvette TPI engine in it as the original was blown before I purchased it. Where on the block do I look for the stamping to tell me the engine code so I know what I have to upgrade the performance of it? How can I look up what I have once I get the numbers off it?
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
From: pennsylvania, united states
Car: 1985 & 1988 trans am
Engine: 350 tpi ; 355
Transmission: 700r4 auto; converting to 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3:27 posi; 2.73 open
Re: Engine removal
back side of the block on drivers (left) side by head
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,866
Likes: 2,428
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Engine removal
99.9999% of all replacement motors installed in all cars by all previous owners are "Vette" motors.
Be prepared for that to be a lie.
"Vette" ANYTHING is the oldest lie in the book, as regards small block Chevy motors. EVERY motor that EVERY PO has EVER swapped into EVERY car is "Vette" something or other. It is so common that it an instant indicator that the seller IS LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH. No matter how much you want to believe it, IT IS A LIE. There have probably been 1,000 times more "Vette" motors installed in other kinds of cars, than ALL THE VETTES EVER MADE, if POs are to be believed.
The stamping number only tells you what engine application the BLOCK came in. If ANYTHING about the engine has been changed - heads, cam, pistons, whatever - the stamping code WILL NOT mean ANYTHING AT ALL. Don't bother with it, if it comes out to be ANYTHING other than a Vette or Camaro or Firebird of the correct year range.
You can spot the 89 Vette motor quite easily, without even having to track down and look up a bunch of stamping codes. It's much easier than that: all you have to do is, LOOK AT THE PARTS THEMSELVES. It will have aluminum heads, casting # 113; and there will be a tube going from an exhaust manifold up to the intake, for the EGR. If it doesn't have those 2 things, it's not a Vette motor. See the odds given above for it being a Vette motor. If I were the betting kind, I would almost be willing to put money on it NOT being a Vette motor.
More likely, you have the original TPI setup off of your car, on top of either a junk truck or Caprice, or a random "rebuilt", long block.
The correct casting # for the heads for your car would have been 083.
If your heads turn out to be 193, you have a truck or Caprice TBI motor in there, and your car has been SERIOUSLY downgraded, and you were ripped off.
Don't get all excited about finding what your motor REALLY is. I'm betting you're in for a SERIOUS disappointment.
The stamping code is on the pass side of the block deck, in front of the pass side head. That's the one that if you can find it listed somewhere, will tell you what car (down to the individual VIN) the BLOCK, but not necessarily the ENGINE, came out of. The block casting # is located as described above; on top of the bell housing flange, right behind the driver's side head. It will tell you with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY what the bore size of the BLOCK is; specifically, whether it's a 305 or a 350 (don't be too surprised if.... you know what.... that being the 2nd most common SBC lie). The head casting #s are on top of the heads, under the valve covers, in between the rocker arms.
Be prepared for that to be a lie.
"Vette" ANYTHING is the oldest lie in the book, as regards small block Chevy motors. EVERY motor that EVERY PO has EVER swapped into EVERY car is "Vette" something or other. It is so common that it an instant indicator that the seller IS LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH. No matter how much you want to believe it, IT IS A LIE. There have probably been 1,000 times more "Vette" motors installed in other kinds of cars, than ALL THE VETTES EVER MADE, if POs are to be believed.
The stamping number only tells you what engine application the BLOCK came in. If ANYTHING about the engine has been changed - heads, cam, pistons, whatever - the stamping code WILL NOT mean ANYTHING AT ALL. Don't bother with it, if it comes out to be ANYTHING other than a Vette or Camaro or Firebird of the correct year range.
You can spot the 89 Vette motor quite easily, without even having to track down and look up a bunch of stamping codes. It's much easier than that: all you have to do is, LOOK AT THE PARTS THEMSELVES. It will have aluminum heads, casting # 113; and there will be a tube going from an exhaust manifold up to the intake, for the EGR. If it doesn't have those 2 things, it's not a Vette motor. See the odds given above for it being a Vette motor. If I were the betting kind, I would almost be willing to put money on it NOT being a Vette motor.
More likely, you have the original TPI setup off of your car, on top of either a junk truck or Caprice, or a random "rebuilt", long block.
The correct casting # for the heads for your car would have been 083.
If your heads turn out to be 193, you have a truck or Caprice TBI motor in there, and your car has been SERIOUSLY downgraded, and you were ripped off.
Don't get all excited about finding what your motor REALLY is. I'm betting you're in for a SERIOUS disappointment.
The stamping code is on the pass side of the block deck, in front of the pass side head. That's the one that if you can find it listed somewhere, will tell you what car (down to the individual VIN) the BLOCK, but not necessarily the ENGINE, came out of. The block casting # is located as described above; on top of the bell housing flange, right behind the driver's side head. It will tell you with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY what the bore size of the BLOCK is; specifically, whether it's a 305 or a 350 (don't be too surprised if.... you know what.... that being the 2nd most common SBC lie). The head casting #s are on top of the heads, under the valve covers, in between the rocker arms.
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