Hello everyone....new here. Eleven years ago, I was fortunate to buy a Camaro because I had always wanted one. It's an '89 RS with the 305 TBI. I have been thinking recently about upgrading the power to give it a little bit more grunt (say up to 300 HP). Before I posted in a more specific forum, I wanted to get some opinions on whether I should try to upgrade the current engine or swap in a bigger one.

The options are:

1-Swap it out for an LT1 or an LS1: I have read that the LS1 is a better option because they are more plentiful and prices are starting to come down on them. Do either of them fit easily into an '89?

2-Upgrade the current 305: Does it provide more bang for the buck than an engine swap?

3-How much can I upgrade the engine before I have to worry about upgrading the rear end to handle the added power?

I'm not an engine expert, so I would probably have someone else do the work. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I should add that this is just to make it a fun daily driver. This is not for drag strip applications.

 

So no one has an opinion or suggestions?

 

Welcome to TGO, Hawkeye.

I wouldn't mess with the 305--as it simply won't put the grin on your face like an engine swap will (I went from an LG4 to a modded LG4 to a 350 HO Deluxe--155 HP to 200 to 330. Had I truly understood what the 350 brought to the table, I wouldn't have troubled myself with the LG4 upgrades.

If you're simply using the car as a "fun daily driver," I wouldn't worry myself over the rear end or transmission.

JamesC

 

Thanks for the welcome. I was thinking about an engine swap, but wasn't sure what I could expect to pay at a junkyard or if it was even worth doing that like you see on shows like Powerblock's Muscle Car. Is it better to go with an LS1 than an LT1 and would it bolt up to the current transmission with no problems? I guess I was also concerned that jumping from the stock 170 HP to something like 300+ could mean problems for the rear end if you get on it.

 

many of us have done the ls swap and in my opinion its the only way to go. My car went from a 305 to a 350 to a LS LM7 5.3. It is the best money I have ever spent (around 4-5grand) It has great drive ability and get 29mpg on the highway. I will never ever build or go back to a gen I or gen II SBC after putting an ls engine together. There is a lot of info on this site and many others. Go read all the sticky's and do a lot of googling and you can learn a lot. I spent MONTHS just reading until I was sick of reading about it. Its not hard at all just don't cheap out on parts it will cost you later.