Thanks for coming to my thread! I'm looking for all the input/advice possible to make my thirdgen the best it can be.
First a little back story...
This past October I bought a thirdgen. It's a 1988 Camaro IROC and it's in pretty good shape. She has original everything, although the guy claimed the engine was rebuilt (doesn't matter IMO because she runs fine). Anyway, she does have a few issues. The AC/Heater randomly works and doesn't work. I have no idea where to begin checking on that. The engine burns oil. Could be because of rings or the infamous valve seal guides, this is where this whole thread comes in to play...
Should I build on my L98 350 or should I save and do a swap for an ATK 350 (http://high-performance-engines.com/...duct_Code=HP29) or similar engine? Any other advice/hints would be helpful.
To follow up on that, if I do build my L98, where should I start?
My goal is a 350-375 HP street monster for a little track time now and then, but mostly a fun daily.

 

I would diagnose your oil consumption issue (yes, 1st guess would be valve seals), and then plan accordingly.
If it's ring seal, and needs a rebuild, and you can afford to have the car down for a while, I'd rebuild it. Or....at least find a better, roller-cam, crate engine or shortblock. The one you linked is a bunch of old-style junk lumped together. Don't be misled by the advertised hp and torque figures - you MIGHT just touch those on an engine dyno with headers, no accessories, and not with your TPI intake. In reality, there's probably less power under the curve than a fresh L98.

 

So I've been browsing around TGO and stumbled upon Some info. I'm mainly trying to decide if it's worth it to build my L98 or to do a swap. What about an LT1 swap? Or a holley/superram? Worth it or a waste of money?

 

This 350-375 HP you're talking about - how/where would that be measured?

Most "crate" engines use "gross flywheel" horsepower - on an engine dyno, open headers, velocity stack on the carb instead of an air cleaner, no accessories driven by the engine itself (electricity supplied by the facility, electric water/fuel pumps, no alternator, etc.).

As rated by the manufacturer, cars are "net flywheel" horsepower - on an engine dyno, exhaust/induction/air filter/accessories as they would be in the car. It's probably the most realistic.

Many people talk about "rear wheel" horsepower - measured by the rear wheels turning a drum. It should be the most realistic, but it's also the least accurate (lots of "fudging" with chassis dynos).

Since you linked a crate engine (rated at 325 HP), I'll assume you mean gross flywheel horsepower. If that's the case, I wouldn't go with the engine you linked. For one thing, it doesn't meet your HP goal (however you came up with it). You probably chose it because it's their least expensive one. But, it's the older type 2-piece rear main seal with flat tappet lifters - downgrades from your L98.

I will further assume you plan on keeping TPI in some form or another. If that's the case, then the Holley Stealth Ram is a good choice.

Your L98, with Vortec heads, and a Vortec version Stealth Ram, and a nice aftermarket cam, and good exhaust, would really wake up the car. I don't know if it would meet your 350-375 HP goal, but, again, I don't know where that really came from.

An LT1 swap would get you 300 net FW HP (with good exhaust). However, it would be more involved than building your L98, or swapping in a Gen I SBC.

 

Thank you for your replies. That 350hp figure came from a situation that happened the other day. So the other day I was at a light and I got smoked, and I mean SMOKED by a Civic. I mean it looked built, but he left me like I wasn't accelerating at all. My car is all stock and I haven't dynoed it but I would guess it has 190hp. So I figure 350hp would be a good amount of power to not let me get smoked and will be some fun if I one day want to go to the track. Thus I'm looking for ways to achieve this goal. Money is not really an object, but I would like to do it the most cost effective way. Any advice/help would be much appreciated. Also I'm looking for 300hp to the wheels (at least)