So, which would you guys prefer, a 305-tpi 5 spd or a 350 tpi 700r4?

 

I prefer a 350TPI - 6 speed but I would settle for a 350 - 5 speed.

 

In December 1988 I was factory ordering my 1989 GTA. I wanted T-Tops and a manual transmission. The 5.7 Litre engines did not come with a T-Top and you had to take automatic transmission. Later that year I understand GM strengthen the body to permit the T-Top option with 5.7 Litre engines; however, you still had to take the automatic transmission. Since the stock horsepower different was only 10 to 15 Hp, I ordered a 5.0 Litre 5 speed manual transmission.

 

i'm happy with my stock 90 350/700R4 and my slightly modified 91 350/700R4...

but that's just me... maybe i'm easy to please.

KAM

 

I like my 305 5-speed. It has a few small things done, but I know I can keep up if not beat a 350 auto.

 

That is a tough one,
I'd probably choose the 305TPI 5 speed since it is already setup for a manual which makes it a tad easier for a T56 swap.
And doing a 350 swap is cake too.

I just recently converted my 88 305TPI auto to a T5. Car is a lot more fun to drive now.

 

I've owned both, and would definitely go with the 305TPI and T5

 

I had that choice and went with the 350 TPI and the 700R4. Had to go for the cubic inches. Allen

 

It depends on what it will be used for:

Daily driver in Los Angeles traffic= 5.7 +'R4

Weekend/fun use= 5.0 5 speed

 

Had the G92 5spd H.O 305, 3.45 BW (hedders,30 series, msd)...
It was fun as hell, tho winding up the engine up to 4-4500 rpms.. you stop hearing vroom, its over ..

The 350/4spd auto it nice too,the 350 has lots of advantages (you know..) but the 5 spd felt quicker by far.

Obviously the 5 spd is the perfect candidate for a 6 spd/LT1 etc ...
tho most ppl buy the car to enjoy it as is (assumption) ..

Im happier with the auto, cause the 5 spd was junk, real hard to shift and a pain in traffic as specially with that heavy a** clutch.

Tho in the end, the '91 will enentually get a 6 spd.

At the end, everybody said the 5 spd was better looking (drk red '87) was quicker, and felt more like a sports car then the '91.

Im bias since in given situations, both have their place.

Its hard to chose, but the manual trans is just more

A. fun to drive
B. sportier
c. less weight if an issue.

 

305 5 speed.. just cause its equipped with everything imo.... the manual and v8.. maybe with the 350 people go crazy but the manual isnt there and if you want fast.. you usually drop in a different v8 anyways

 

had the 350/T5 combo.. Broke the T5 now have the 350/T56 combo.. Muuuuucchhh better

Kat

 

Lets face it...... They both suck. Every thirdgen needs to have the T taken out of TPI and have at least a four inch bore. I prefer a manual trans in a sports car but every one is different.

 

ok to spice things up... in my case, my choices are :keep my 305 tpi 5 spd with 180,000 miles 91z28 and fix it, no a/c no power stuff at all(no paint, front end damage, i fishtailed in rainy weather) or a 92z28 350 TPI auto with 83000 miles, full paint, A/C all power?

 

Oh, in that case, keep the auto with half the mileage. Thats just my opinion.

 

Yeah, go with the Auto.

 

My first Camaro was a 305/Auto combo that just SUCKED.
But I didn't know any better . . .
Then I bought the 305/Manual and it was like a whole new experience.
FUN FUN FUN!!
I sold the automatic immediately!

 

I would also keep the auto. How about swaping over the T-5? Before you get rid of it. Perfect parts car.

 

More cubes, more cubes, more cubes!!! Beef your automatic with a converter, shifter, and manual valve body and you'll have just as much fun as a stick but with more ***** under the hood!!!

 

here's an update.... turns out the 350 tpi is G92, FE2... now i feel the scales have tipped in favor of the cubic inch giant.

 

I had a stock 305 TPI with T-tops & 700R4. I'm glad I got it this way because now its a 350 TPI w/T-tops & 700R4 Saving up for T56 now. Oh yeah, and its a 92.

 

I'd get the car with the better body and options you want.

Motor and tranny are easy to swap out..

-- Joe

 

The G92 option has all the good guy parts. My 1989 even has the aluminum drive shaft. Thats the way I would be leaning if the car is in decent shape. Allen

 

i must say i liked my 305 5speed.. but now i frickin love my 355 6speed!!

 

:shrug: 350 auto. I get to row in the 302 T-5.

 

:werd:

 

305 ...5 speed ...and like said before .....I like my new L98 5 speed LOL

 

i have had 3 350 / auto's

got to love first gear

i wouldnt mind doing a 5 speed swap and trying that for awhile.

 

I have owned 3 iroc's. one with 305 tpi auto, 350 tpi auto and currently 305 tpi t-5wc with g92. 350 was nice but the 5 speed is the most fun out of the 3. Although I plan on doing a 350 swap this winter. Got to love the cubes!

 

try a 5 speed car with ( TPI ) with 3.73's LOL pretty dam easy to leave big black marks

 

For people like me who can't decide, either...
Choose Both!

I like shifting gears (when I want to)...
But the car with more power (350 in this case) is more fun to drive.

 

305/T5

 

When I went shopping for a Trans Am I knew I wanted two things above all. T-tops and a manual transmission. When I was shopping for this car, my Fbody knowledge wasn't as deep as it is now, so I learned about the no 350/5spd deal. That didn't bother me much. I had owned a 86 305 (LG4) 700R4 before and knew I didn't want that dog of an engine, the car felt slow and the engine bay was too cluttered.

When I found my car (which just by chance happend to be a GTA) it met all my requirements. T-tops, 5 speed, and the fuel injected motor (TPI). I bought the car because thats what I wanted, a Trans Am with those two things. I later did some more research about GTAs and found out all kinds of neat stuff.

But anway.... I would choose the LB9/T5 over the L98/700R4. Your buying the car knowing is a "sports car" and meant to be driven, and in my opinion, automatics just aren't fun to drive.

Now my car has a 350 instead of the 305 and the same T5. I always though that an engine swap was easier than an auto to manual conversion anyway.

 

305TPI 5 speed for sure.