Hey guys first post here... I just bought a 87 trans am 305 automatic with carb no injection...Looking for ideas on what to do...Here are my ideas on what to do let me know what u think and so on..

stage one
exhaust, headers y pipe, intake manifold, carb and heads...figure i can do this all for about 1500 to 2k...btw if anyone has anything they wanna sell let me know...I am also looking for what would be good products to put on i have been on jegs and found alot of options...I am also looking to upgrade to a 350 later on so think products that can go on that...

stage 2 suspension

from what i know these guys have a shitty suspension and need to be reenforced let me know what would be good to do here. for what i know if i get to much power with the t-top car i can crack them and lock the door in places with to much power and no support

stage 3 400-500 horse area

take everything i have on stage one and then add a sb 350 redone with piston rods crank and cams...dual carbs, fuel pump and other stuff.
700r tranny rebuild and also new rear end 373

stage 4 BLower time and hood scoop induction

my last thing i wanna do is put a blower on this is with the 3 holes air inducer coming out of the hood..dont think there is anything more cool looking then that.

well those are my ideas dont know if those are good stages or not...please guys give me some input and if u have anything let me know i am looking to buy stuff thanks

Marc

 

You should work backwards (although it's not what you want to do). Tranny first - nothing worse than spending a gazillion dollars on a motor, put it in, and it makes your tranny slip - and you're out of cash so the car sits and waits, while mice invade awaiting tranny rebuild money. Do yourself a favor, and do tranny first. Either get a local to build yours accoding to your specs, or pay Pro Built Automatics for one - theirs seem to be the best out there. I had a local guy build mine using Pro Built's parts list/specs (which was less cost for me, but some folks charge alot more than my guy did).

I wouldn't waste a penny on anything 305 related that will not work on your 350 build. In fact, I would grab a 350, and get it on the stand and start getting it built on the stand, and leave the 305 alone - that way you are driveable while building the 350 - it only costs a few hundred bucks to get a used 350 to put on the stand and start tearing into.

Suspension is always a factor - can work on it in pieces while building 350. But if you have cash in hand, all the suspension all around can be done in a weekend easily.

You didn't mention brakes - you need to work these as well. New rubber lines especially - makes ALOT of difference to install new rubber lines.

 

I totally agree with newbie on most levels. You'll actually make the car faster initially if you work from the rear to the front. Put a strong rear in the car with a good gear and some sort of locking differential or limited slip, then build up the transmission and get a good converter. Then tackle the brakes and suspension. You can get SO much out of a car by tackling the drivetrain. I have a friend with an LS1 Trans Am that goes mid-low 12's with a BONE stock engine (I think its tuned, but it has the OE air filter, OE lid and an exhaust cutout)

 

what do u think of this for a tranny http://norfolk.craigslist.org/pts/2138235049.html

 

May be a good deal, but if you want something reliable I'd contact a reputable trans shop with exactly what you want to do with the car so they can spec you out a trans. Are you absolutely sure that trans has its warranty if its not the original purchaser?

 

For $600 looks good. It will either work well or not - but they say it's warrantied - if warranty seems legit don't have much to lose. Costs $300 to get any old used 700R4 with 90 day warranty around here, so that's not bad.

 

if u goto their link they are a shop in my area that rebuilds them..and its 700 with a converter and they also sell the 400 trans here is the site http://transmission-kings.com/BUY_ME_NOW.html