Jason E

Ok, maybe this is the wrong place to post this, but I gotta find this out!!

I want to convert my car to a TPI 350. My plan is to pick up a TPI setup and harness and start working on that, and later finding an '89-up long block from a junkyard to rebuild. Basically for $600, I can get all the junkyard parts I need to start with.

My question is for anyone who had needed to pass the stricter, dyno-emissions in their state. I know NJ and MA have them, maybe CA too?? The question is, with my VIN saying I have a 6, when I go to get it inspected with a 350 under the hood, what's going to happen?? Any idea? Its gonna be a stock rebuild, except for some porting and higher-flow injectors. So it will pass emissions, but with the VIN saying I have a 6, and it putting out V8 emissions, anyone know what may happen???

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Jason E
'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Medium Grey Metallic/AT, T-tops, all power
Hypertech chip, 2 K&N filters/Modded air box
Eclipse CD, Eclipse 100x4 amp, Boston plate 4x6, Boston RX 6x9
Alpine Alarm w/ Keyless entry
IROC tailights/t-windows

TomP

I know emissions legality, at some point, requires the engine you're putting in to be "at least" as old as the car. For instance, putting a '79 350 block in your car wouldn't be legal, no matter what kind of intake it had.

As to the rest, you might want to call a local mechanic or the state about that one.

-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

Jason E

After posting this, I went to the shop down the street where I had my car inspected on Saturday. Because my car is an odd numbered year, it only needs to be emissions tested in odd years. When he asked me "5.0 or 5.7" for some reason, I said 2.8, and he sorta sneered at me and said "Someone got robbed....." Punk!!

Anyway, today I told him I wanted to do a near-stock rebuild, and asked him what would happen if I showed up for the smog check next year with a 350 under the hood and a V6 VIN #. He claims nothing would happen, and if the computer complained, he could call Boston!! I assume that means he could sort things out with the registry.

So now the questions is guys, what would you do?? Hopped up 3.4 or a 350??? I know I'm asking the V6 board, so I expect to get a lotta you guys saying V6, but gimme some advice!!

Garmer

Keep that little 2.8/3.1!!!! Never go to the dark side. LOL Anyway if I were in your situation I would say go for the 350. The reason is, you would probably want more power if you went with the 3.4!! Like everyone else, no one is ever satisfied!!

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91 RS Camaro
3.1L
Cat Back System, K&N filter, Fastchip Stage 2, 160 thermo, Rapidfires and Bosch Wires, soon to come: Homemade Ram Air, and maybe headers and power pulleys

Jason E

Garmer,

I couldn't have said it better myself. I could invest big time in a GMPP 3.4, do some nice bolt-ons, etc. But if I'm gonna invest that much time, I'd probably be happier with a 350.

The only V8 F-body I've ever driven was an LG4 '86 T/A with 215k miles, and let me just say, torque is my friend Yeah, I coulda eaten that thing because my car ran so much better (its in the boneyard now, lost its tranny at 218k miles....RIP ) than it did. But the smooth torque around town was like night and day when comparing it to my car. For some reason, I think I might like the 350 TPI just a little more...hehe.

Although, I gotta ask, whats the best 1/4 time anyone here has gotten with a 60 degree? Anyone done the Crane cam? What kind of difference did that make??

85f-bird

i think the best time would go to 3.1firebird, he's running low 16's, and with a correction he hit 15.9 or something once. Don't know if anyone could beat that?

Jason E

Has anyone out there swapped their 60 degree V6 cam though? How much was different afterwards??

Graeme'sFirebird

low 13 sec 60* without no2 or blowers.... i saw it when i was in bakersfield, it was in a camaro, 87...

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89 RS
305 TPI...

Previous:
2.8 s/c'd firebird

Jason E

Low 13s????? No nitrous?? I don't suppose you have any info on that motor...

Garmer

Jason E,

Recently I can to the conclusion that I would not invest too much money into my 3.1. The reason was I always wanted more power. So I thought that I would put a few mods on it,, Fastchip, Cat Back, Ram Air,, but nothing major with the motor. So what I plan is to buy a later Trans Am (around 78). And build it up. A life time project!! Anyway does any1 know how much they want for one of these cars,,the condition does not have to be good!!

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91 RS Camaro
3.1L
Cat Back System, K&N filter, Fastchip Stage 2, 160 thermo, Rapidfires and Bosch Wires, soon to come: Homemade Ram Air, and maybe headers and power pulleys

Graeme'sFirebird

i got me a 79 formula 403, auto, a/c, f/pwr etc for 400 bucks...it needed a carb. put 200 into it then sold it for 1500...all depends on how hard u look

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89 RS
305 TPI...

Previous:
2.8 s/c'd firebird

Graeme'sFirebird

lol...all i know is in the mag they said the motor cost 4k, and with a dual turbo setup they were putting on 11's...HOW THE HELL CAN A 3.4 HANDLE THAT?? go figure...

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89 RS
305 TPI...

Previous:
2.8 s/c'd firebird

Jason E

Sounds like Garmer has come to the same conclusion I may come too...

I mean, my car runs perfect, and I've wanted an IROC since I was like 5 years old. I'm thinking in another year and a half, once I'm outta school, I should buy a project 350 IROC and keep the RS for a driver. Then I'd have $$ to build a mint, original IROC, and at the same time see how long the little 2.8 keeps on going A lot depends on if I come across a TPI setup in a junkyard sometime soon and get all excited and just go for the 350 swap.

Think about what a sleeper it would be....350 TPI with a few bolt ons, in a dark grey, bone-stock-appearing RS. I'd be eating 5.slows left and right, and I'd only need to upkeep 1 car!! Decisions, decisions