Planning new build w/ FI
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 82
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From: North Jersey
Car: 89 Formula
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Planning new build w/ FI
Hello everyone.
Been a member for a long time but mostly lurked since I didn't have a 3rd but love how they are being kept alive. I haven't owned a 3rd gen since 1998 and my garage queen is my 2000 vert TA. Been driving FBods since I was 17 (78 FB esprit) and my latest purchase is my 16th fbod, an 89 Firebird Formula 350.
Been combing this and other boards for info and I am looking to plan out my engine build. I'm not a track guy but I want a street car that can accelerate very well but I refuse to give up creature comforts (a/c, cruise, etc) and will probably add more in (multiple cameras, integrated laptop, etc). I'm inspired by the recent GMHTP article about building a GT500 killer. So that is probably where I am heading.
I want to maintain a generationally correct drivetrain so I was planning on starting with a Dart 2 400 block and forged internals, a FIRST TPI, and a supercharger. My power goal is probably about 500rwhp with the ability to up the boost should I decide Englishtown needs me to make an appearance. There's a guy in Hawthorne, NJ building pretty stout 700r4's and I will probably pick up a gear splitter so I can run 4.56's in a S60 and still get 20mpg on the highway. I don't have the skills or time to custom fab turbo piping so SC is the best bet for me. Also a little cleaner in the engine bay. And hood clearance is an issue since I would very much like to maintain the formula "power bulge" hood.
A full UMI, BMR or some combination of parts will address all the suspension needs with replaced k-member, upper & lower, and all the rear hardware as well. And typical stuff will be addressed as well such as fuel delivery.
I've built a few 305's & 350's back in the day but since I've been out of it for a while a lot has changed. Several questions come up because I see conflicting ideas on forced induction and head combination. Here's where I am confused.
High compression pistons (10.1 or higher) or 9:1's and let the SC do the work?
AFRs or Vortecs? I see people arguing which is better?
Do I need to maintain cast iron heads with the boost (consider power goals and driveability)
water or air cooled intercooler?
I have a lot to learn about this 24x or 58x electronics.
Don't know if I want to convert to individual coils (a la LSx setup)
The bumpstick will probably be a month of Sunday's worth of research.
That's a handful of the 90,000 ft questions I have so I can start narrowing my focus. I'll have plenty more as I will probably gather info for 6 months before I start buying parts. I want to make sure I am doing it right instead of having to rebuy stuff that isn't compatible. I'm really impressed with a lot of the cars and members on this site. Orr, Project89, & NuffNuff stand out to me but there are many others with very impressive cars.
Looking forward to feedback and opinions of others and building up a list of parts before the tear down. Thanks in advance for the info.
Been a member for a long time but mostly lurked since I didn't have a 3rd but love how they are being kept alive. I haven't owned a 3rd gen since 1998 and my garage queen is my 2000 vert TA. Been driving FBods since I was 17 (78 FB esprit) and my latest purchase is my 16th fbod, an 89 Firebird Formula 350.
Been combing this and other boards for info and I am looking to plan out my engine build. I'm not a track guy but I want a street car that can accelerate very well but I refuse to give up creature comforts (a/c, cruise, etc) and will probably add more in (multiple cameras, integrated laptop, etc). I'm inspired by the recent GMHTP article about building a GT500 killer. So that is probably where I am heading.
I want to maintain a generationally correct drivetrain so I was planning on starting with a Dart 2 400 block and forged internals, a FIRST TPI, and a supercharger. My power goal is probably about 500rwhp with the ability to up the boost should I decide Englishtown needs me to make an appearance. There's a guy in Hawthorne, NJ building pretty stout 700r4's and I will probably pick up a gear splitter so I can run 4.56's in a S60 and still get 20mpg on the highway. I don't have the skills or time to custom fab turbo piping so SC is the best bet for me. Also a little cleaner in the engine bay. And hood clearance is an issue since I would very much like to maintain the formula "power bulge" hood.
A full UMI, BMR or some combination of parts will address all the suspension needs with replaced k-member, upper & lower, and all the rear hardware as well. And typical stuff will be addressed as well such as fuel delivery.
I've built a few 305's & 350's back in the day but since I've been out of it for a while a lot has changed. Several questions come up because I see conflicting ideas on forced induction and head combination. Here's where I am confused.
High compression pistons (10.1 or higher) or 9:1's and let the SC do the work?
AFRs or Vortecs? I see people arguing which is better?
Do I need to maintain cast iron heads with the boost (consider power goals and driveability)
water or air cooled intercooler?
I have a lot to learn about this 24x or 58x electronics.
Don't know if I want to convert to individual coils (a la LSx setup)
The bumpstick will probably be a month of Sunday's worth of research.
That's a handful of the 90,000 ft questions I have so I can start narrowing my focus. I'll have plenty more as I will probably gather info for 6 months before I start buying parts. I want to make sure I am doing it right instead of having to rebuy stuff that isn't compatible. I'm really impressed with a lot of the cars and members on this site. Orr, Project89, & NuffNuff stand out to me but there are many others with very impressive cars.
Looking forward to feedback and opinions of others and building up a list of parts before the tear down. Thanks in advance for the info.
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