Hi all! so i have a problem with my firebird. it got the flat cam issue twice now. im just considering options on what i should do with it now but lemme give you guys some tech data about it:

-it had 3.1 v6
swapped it with a 350 tpi in 2012

-the 350 was carburated when it was in a different trans am i bought from my friend and i swapped it over to an 87 tpi.

-the 350 is an 85 truck engine 4 bolt main with 400 heads

-has 22lb bosch lll injectors.

-I put in an 87 computer with 5.7 stock chip for it (got them both from autozone)

-the car never idled perfect to begin with after i did the swap and about a year into the swap, flat cam issue, bout a year later, another flat cam from the new one i put in.


Im just beside myself right now and like said, im just considering options. I've been thinking about roller lifters instead of the flat tappets. I also need a good procedure for rebuilding it when i actually go to put a new cam in. or maybe, put a whole new engine in if its cheaper. I would like to achieve 300-350 hp and bout the same in torque. I would like to keep it fuel injected and maybe i should get rid of the tpi? i dont know. I mainly just want quick acceleration/daily driver application with good power.

Anyway, thoughts solutions and opinions on the matter is greatly appreciated.

 

if you are having to use a antique flat tappet cam .you absolutely HAVE to use a ZDDP additive in the oil to prevent wiping the lobes off. if your block has got the roller provisions .that's the way to go. keep the TPI and get it set up right.you will be happy with it.UNLESS youre one of those who likes to rev it to the moon.and/or expect it to make killer HP above 5000 rpm,which it wont do

 

you got it. thats what i'll do then! im not big for hitting high rpm anyway, i like having low end torque for good acceleration. what do you think about the heads though Rusty Vango? and do you know how i can get the chip tuned right for it? i saw some chips on summit racing, i do know that others can burn their own chip too. im set if you can just help those questions. Thanks!

 

it depends on the heads in question. what are the casting numbers? if they are 400 heads, most likely they are 882s.which are good for torque production. but they have monster combustion chambers. you have to mill them quite a lot AND use flat top pistons to get anywhere near the desired 9;5-1 compression ratio that todays pump gas will work with. there are other heads you could use ,personally ,im not a fan of vortecs. if you can afford it, a nice set of aluminum heads would do the trick. but cost prohibitive. there is a you tube video on the subject of iron heads for 350s. check it out. as for a chip for it "tuned performance" is who I recommend, he has helped many of us here with chips for our cars.give him a shout. you wont be dissapointed