I may be buying a 1986 Trans Am GTA clone off a buddy of mine and he currently has no motor in it. He is going to drop a TPI350 in it and asked me if I wanted to purchase any parts for it to use while putting the engine together before it goes in the car.

I dont plan on doing anything big as far as performance with this car. Just intake/exhaust(prolly just cat-back) Since its going to be my Daily driver. But are there any parts I should put in it while its apart?

If there are internals that could make for a great performance upgrade without a big investment I would definatly be interested

 

while the motor is out id atleast put a cam in it ..maybe clean up the heads and intake alittle..

 

internals dont make any horsepower, unless you are talking about a cam. the best you can do while its out is maybe a cam swap, and possibly a head swap, but it dosnt sound like you want to go that far.

 

Yes they do. The cam, as you mentioned, is obviously internal. Adding roller rockers would give you a little more lift and free up a few extra HP. Roller lifters help. Increasing the compression ratio via pistons or adding a longer rod (stroker) would also yield a potential power increase.

If internals had nothing to do with power, people would just stick a new cam & heads on a block with 300,000 miles on their stock internals. By your logic, this would yield the same power as putting a new cam & heads on a block with new (same spec) internals, right?

While I do agree that the cam is a vital part of the motor and is an excellent source of HP, it is all parts working together that affect final HP and Torque numbers.

Just my opinion. Hope this helps.

 

I really dont think I wanna spend money on a cam setup. I dont plan on doing big performance with this car as it will only be my daily driver and my ls1 is my drag project...are there any parts that I could throw in that would boost economy at all? Im thinking if I did roller rockers it could increase efficiency therefore increasing economy a little.

Either way I am not too concerned as this is going to basically be a new motor. Obviously we will clean everything up I am just asking the experts here on the forum if there are certain parts on the motor that are prone to failure, or were weak spots on the stock motor that should just be upgraded while its out. If not for performance then for reliability and longevity since I will prolly beat on this car a little haha. Thanks guys

 

putting a better cam and gettting roller rockers and a tune would be your best bet while the engines out if you wanted to add anything. Stock cams are old technology they have way better lobe designs that are way more efficent. You dont need to get an agressive cam either.

 

Ok well what would you guys suggest for a very mild cam and how much will it run me?

 

http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=211&sb=2 i just looked on compcams website but that is just one example, its bigger all around and has more lift. but very mild and doesnt need a computer upgrade. You should give them a call and see what they can do for you. They are very helpfull. I bought my cam of ebay from a parts warehouse and they gave me a good deal and all they sell is comp stuff with warrenty

 

anything that gives you alil more power and lets your engine breath better is gonna give you better effeciency

 

Headers wil give you more power and better fuel economy and a cool sound.

 

that is very true! but you dont have to have the engine out for that. I just suggested the cam because any thing done to the engine block with the engine in is a pita.

 

Roller rockers can be done with the engine in later too.

Can we assume that the engine will have new gaskets and everything? Including a new rear seal and one piece oil gasket.

I agree with the cam suggestion, but its almost $300 for a good new one.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COMP-...Q5fAccessories

Call them and see if they can drop the price at all for you. they did for me. I think i paid 245 shipped for my xfi 268 cam

 

i think i heard you can get a used zz4 cam for a 100.00 if you look around ..

 

Get a used LT1 cam. They work good in the L98. I still say get the headers and install them befor you drop the motor in. It can be done. That way you can get all the bolts tight without bending over the fender too long.

 

if he used the zz4 cam he will have to spend money on the heads

 

i agree with you vincent but headers cost a pretty pennie these days. You could buy a cam and have head work done and posible get a tune for what you spend on used slp or new dyno dons headers and the cost to weld them up sounds like he is on a lil budget.

 

haha yeah. well guys if I have any money sitting around while the motor is out I might do headers and start working exhaust. Like I said above I really don't have a lot of money to put in this. May not even have any at all so this could be a worthless conversation.

and yes it should have all new gaskets and seals.