87 TA
89 Formula 350 TPI
Shift kit
Stall converter
Straight pipe with auto zone flowmaster muffler
Eldebrock heads
Not sure what the gears are but its a one wheel wonder

My goal is to get it to 300-350 bhp

I don't want to dyno it but I would like to have a rough idea..

 

I'd guess you're somewhere around 270hp at the flywheel right now (figuring roughly 225hp stock). Converter will definitely hurt your rhwp numbers.

Sounds like it's time for a cam!

 

Would a cam hurt my rearend? What would you assume the hp at the wheels are? 240 250?

Edit: what are other options besides a cam to reach my goal. Budget wise I have nothing so I'm going to start saving and most likely have it done during the winter season

 

I really think you'd have to be pushing 350-400hp before a 10 bolt rear-end would give out in an automatic car, especially if you're not running drag radials or super sticky tires.

If you're at 270 at the crank, I'd guess probably around 200-210hp at the wheels with your setup.

 

I broke a stock 9 bolt with a Procharger, 4.11 gears, and 315 drag radials. It's all about traction. My other 9 bolt held up to 100's of passes on slicks with my turbo 3.8L pushing 500HP. Running street tires with stock gears, you won't break it with under 400HP.

 

What kind of gains woud I see from a cam? Is there anything else I can add that would increase hp under 1000?

 

Cam is going to be by far your best bang for the buck, with maybe longtube headers right behind it. Every little bit helps (air foil, underdrive pulleys, throttle body, cold air intake, etc.), but cam and headers are going to be your best bets at this point since you already have heads.

Upgrading your TPI setup will help you once you have a cam, but that's when it starts getting pricey.

 

What exhaust manifolds? what does exhaust consist of to the muffler? Which heads, what chamber . valve size, rocker ratio? ? Have you ported your plenum? Cam will give you more HP, but you may lose torque down low that you feel. What is this car's intended purpose? Weekend Warrior? Strip car?, Daily Driver? that will help guide you.

 

I never really considered getting a cold air. Lots of people tell me that it domesn't really add hp and is. Just more for show. Also I might have mistaken heads and headers since I didn't know there were twodifferent kinds. As of right now the car is my daily driver. When I got rid of my cat I did notice a loss of llow end torque. What should the next step be? I just want the car to be on par with the newer camaros firebirds and mustangs. And danclemts I have no idea about that information. Assume that everything is stock besides what I mentioned.

 

So, You have Edelbrock headers? These are the tubes that bolt to the head and go down under the car (exhaust) if everything else is stock, read the performance basics on the front page. Start there

https://www.thirdgen.org/tpimod1

If your car is stock, probably pushing a little over 230 hp with your exhaust mods, unless motor has been rebuilt in last 50,000 miles, I think in 89, they were rated at 240 HP


https://www.thirdgen.org/1989-pontiac-firebird

 

We definitely need to verify whether he has Edelbrock heads, or Edelbrock headERS. If it's just HEADERS, then we really are talking a lot closer to bone stock RWHP because of the stall converter and 20+ years of wear and tear.

 

Yea I'm pretty sure there headers. I can see the pipes where the engine is and I think they connect to the exhaust. Besides a cam and intake what are other options to reach 300 hp?

 

Heads will be almost necessary to reach that kind of power, unless you go with a monster cam. They're expensive though...IIRC, aluminum Edelbrocks are now up to roughly $1,400 for a pair.

 

i looked up for replacement aluminum L98 corvette heads, those are about 1500 to 2000. there are a few internal upgrades that can be done if you're willing, just have to research on it. anything engine wise is going to be expensive, this is just an expensive hobby to be into. If you really want 350 hp for under 1000, maybe a stroker kit? or find a wrecked vette or camaro in the junkyard....might be able to get it for around 1000