Hi TGO

I wanted to get a little help. I know most posts start with, "I know this thread has been asked a million times", kind of thing, but its either start a new thread, or get responses from others asking why you are reviving a 10 year old thread, so I will approach this as asking for my direct set up, and just wanting some helpful hints and suggestions on which route I should go.

I have a 1992 305 LB9 TPI, with 700r4, and 2.73 drum posi (g80) convertible

I would like to ultimately stay TPI and keep the car in a nicely moded, but close to original state, not going LSX series.

I like the 5.0 for the fuel savings (LOL) and would like to entertain this idea for the simple fact that the mustang folks can make nice HP out of 5.0 Fox Bodies, and I am tired of hearing Chevy's need a 5.7 to beat a 5.0. For entertaining the idea of accomplishing this, I would like suggestions on what I should do with about 600-1000 budget.

however, that 5.7!!! I have a shot to buy a 350 TPI out of a 91 Formula, with all accessories for $600... he has the g92 disc 3.23 rear that he will include but not sure on price but I will not pay more than 350, so pretty good deal but it is a 5.5 hour trip from San Antonio to Dallas, then back, so with gas and possible rental, im looking at a 1000 easy, hence the debate over 5.0 versus 5.7. (BIG QUESTION: He said it has been sitting for two years, but I included some pics, that an issue? also there is a piece of the harness cut, can anyone ID what section of the harness this is, and is it an issue for me buying?)

I will still need to get headers and some other parts for each engine anyway. If I don't buy the 350, I will still being looking for a 3.23 disc posi rear as I JUST bought a good T5 set up yesterday. It isn't fully beefed for 500HP+, but it has the 400HP/450Torque band kit on it if I do go 350.

I don't need to get more than 350HP as I want to use this as a mostly daily driver, but want some nice pull.

so since I have a very good top/bottom end LB9 engine that has another 100K left on it, should I just swap, or build up?

thanks for the time to address my specific question

 

 

Pics above are engine in dallas.

worth 600 from pics?

PLEASE SEE PIC OF CUT HARNESS. IS THIS AN ISSUE, at least for hassle? I don't want to buy another harness or spend countless hours rewiring... I have done electrical work for a living, so last thing you want to do is electrical work when you do it all week anyway. Electrical isn't my hobby, so blah if I can avoid and just invest in the 5.0.

 

TPI to TPI swap is not really a swap, everything is identical except the ECM. Get the ECM also for the 350 and it sounds like a good deal. You could use your ECM from the 305 but the limp mode and knock sensor is different. That won't stop the engine from running but you will need to tune the 305 ECM for the larger injectors among other things. Best to try get the 350 ECM, you will probably want to do some tuning anyway. No wiring hassle, just plug and play. BTW, if you do go with the 350, save the cut up harness for pieces such as connector housings and such, these parts are always good to have on hand.
The real question is probably more about originality than performance or amount of work, your car, your decision. You also need to realize that even if that 350 is in good shape, your car is going to be down for at least a few days to remove the 305, clean up the engine bay, fix any little problems and then install the 350. From there, anything you do to mod the 350 would be the same as the 305, you'll probably need to tune it. HTH!

 

After re-reading your comments about the t5 and 3.23 rear, I will add my thoughts as to what I would do. Get the engine, ECM and rear end for the stated $1000. Tear the 350 down to determine condition and either rebuild with new bearings and rings or possibly get it bored if needed. While I have it apart, I would look into a bigger cam and the appropriate valve train components (maybe just new springs). Clean it all up and re-assemble. Once the engine has been gone through, set aside a weekend to pull the 305 and install the 350. While you have the engine apart and are waiting for parts or machine work to be done, attack the rear end swap 1 weekend and then maybe the T5 swap some other weekend. That is if this is your DD. If the car can be laid up for a while, then it makes sense to swap the engine and trans at the same time. Do you have the clutch pedal and hydraulics for the manual swap? That also needs to be done.
BTW, your statement about Ford being able to make power from their 5.0 so why not a Chevy 5.0 is a valid question, but you need to understand the differences between the 5.0 Ford and the Chevy 5.0 motors. The size may be the same but the design and desired use is totally different. The Ford design is for higher RPM power and designed for a light weight chassis where Chevy designed the 305 as a low RPM torque producing good gas mileage for intermediate and larger chassis vehicles. The Ford 5.0 is more closely designed like the old Chevy 302 of late sixties Z28 fame. HTH!

 

Hey Big Al,

Thank you for the response. I do think I want to buy the 5.7 considering your comments on the RPM, but still, 305 vs 302 should be able to mod it to be a beast without needing to absolutely switching to a 5.7.

also, one thing that concerns me is the started and needing to tap the block for the smaller starter for the T5.

either way, on the tear down. The man, who said he bought it to throw in his monte carlo SS a couple of years back and the LS boom hit and he went that route. he said as far as engines go, it was strong and sounded very awesome. he said he was a camaro over firebird, but this formula had too much power to pass up. So, the engine has been sitting for two years, so there is bound to be something that needs to be tore down and cleaned up, but super excited to throw the 350, T5, and rear in soon.

yes, to answer your question. The only items I don't have for the T5 swap are the bolts but I have ordered them and expect them this week, and to order the PP, Flywheel, Pilot, and Cluthch, but buying new.

I will likely do the trans and rear in one to two weekends. It is a DD, but I only like 2-3 miles from work, and have some days were I can work from home, so not a large inconvenience to use wifeys car for a week or two, but I will likely throw the 350 in around Feb or March.


and yes, you are right on the 305 to 350 not being a swap, but this would be my first engine pull/install, so I am worried about that cut part of the harness in the pictures I posted in the thread.

I wanted to say I deeply appreciate the time to answer and help me in this complicated matter,

its cool to kick ideas with good folks and I will take this all into consideration.

I will post pics later as I do things.

current projects:

- GTA door swap (black doors, with red leather and red cross stitch in fabric area) - everything in house, having family sow in the cross stitch next week - ETA is two weeks for entire door panel swap.
- T5 swap (from 700r4) - may be through January to order PP, Clutch, FLy new.
- G92 axle swap (buying next weekend, installing a eibachdrop spring, new bilstein shocks, and hopefully cross drilled and slotted rotors) this should be a christmas time project --- barring the wifey allows funds to be used for car parts and not christmas money lol..