hey guys, my 82 cam SC is finished with the tomp tuneup, and is awaiting mods. i have decided that next summer i will save up to swap the v6 for a 305 w/ t5. not this summer. i would like to do things like 91-92 GFX and front bumper, get some dents pulled, i want to slowly make my interior black, right now i have blue w/ vinyl. so this summer i want to do some mods to boost ponies, but on a budget, i also want to go for looks... interior/xterior. what would you recommend doing first? what basic mods would you do first? what body and detailing things would you do first?
peace, thanx
john

 

You can do a THREE FIFTY swap & 700R4 for SO CHEAP.
I wouldn't waste the time on only a 305
The 5-speed won't hold up to the 350 so go auto & be done with it.
Should be able to put that together, smog legal for about $1500. Do body work next, then interior.
This way the body won't be damaged as you install the extra power.
For specs what to do (power upgrade) consult the GM Performance Parts Book. They give all details what to do & make it smog legal.

 

I would say if you plan engine swap, see if the mod you are going to do will beable to swap to new engine.

Say, like a dynomax catback should be universal. Depending on the v8 you go to, a performance coil might swap. possibly the v8 TPI intake for an air intake. Then be done with engine mods, rest I doubt would swap.

Then body, or interiour is up to you. To get the 90's efx, you will have to swap nose clip, and that will be some bux, so hunt around, find decent one for decent price. may have to swap back "bumper" also. Size skirts are just drilling hole, and bolting on "clips" from what I can tell.

 

If I was planning on swapping to the V8, I wouldn't do anything to the motor itself. I might go on and put a catback on there like Dale said, but only if I got it big enough to support the V8 when I swapped. Otherwise, I would start working on the body and interior first. Get them looking good, and spend your money there. If you do decide to sell it and just buy a V8 powered ride, then you will be able to get more for it with decent bodywork and a nice interior.

I do agree with KED, why spend all the time and effort to put a 305/5 speed combo in when a 350/700-R4 combo will be just as easy, or easier, and will be faster for the same money. Some people like 305s, though, so whatever you decide to do is up to you. I have a 1984 15th Anniversary TA that I am planning on restoring, and I plan on putting the 305 back in there. It will be modified, of course, but will be the correct engine block and heads, and will look 100% stock when you open the hood. Some people would never put the 305 back in there, but I am going for the original look (I know a 350 LOOKS the same, but it has different casting #s, etc...)and I am not interested in trying to make this car run 13's.

 

The 1984 Trans Am will appreciate VERY WELL, once all stock again.
Certain 3rd Gens will go like skyrockets in value very soon.
Recaro seats & all badges?
T Tops?
Those special wheels?
ONE FINE PACKAGE
GREAT SCORE!

I do not expect a V-6 ride to gain in such value, tho.
Which is why I felt no big deal in a 3.4 mill upgrade compared to future dollar value by retaining the original little six.
When I kill the six in my Wife's 1968 Camaro (it's not the original block, tho, a true 6 cylinder car), in goes a V-8 of unsure size.
One day.

 

Yeah, the 1984 anniversary car will be nice. I actually have two of them. The first one I saved from a salvage yard. I gave $350 for it, and the engine and trans were already gone. Someone also just cut all the wires when they pulled them out. It has a really rough front clip, but I have all the parts to fix that. Otherwise, the body is in really good shape. The original wheels were long gone, and the interior is trashed.

The second car has the original wheels, and a really good interior for a car that is almost 20 years old. The driver's seat has been torn in a couple of places, but the headliner still looks perfect! It has the engine and trans still in it, but the engine is not orignal because it is painted GM blue. The body on this car is shot,though. I have an original '84 L69 305 HO engine and a tranny out of an '88 GTA that I am going to use. The second car will donate the wheels, interior, wiring harness, tail lights, and a few other odds and ends. The first car will be the one I will build. It is another one of those 'in a few years' projects. For now, everything is stored in my barn out of the weather.