Ok, here’s the deal: Got a 1987 3rd Generation Trans Am. TPI, Automatic. Its been sitting for about 4 years in storage w/ a bum tranny. Now seems like the motor, with 150K needs some attention too.

Now, I’m a VP in a local car club that is now full of LS1 powered 4th generation F bodies. I too bought a 4th gen too to hold me over until I got my old 87’ running. However mine is a 1995 LT1. Long story short, motors been rebuild w/ a LT4 Hot cam, 1.6 RR, cleaned up the stock heads, etc,. Cars over 300 rwhp so I’m happy.

Currently, I’m not sure what I want to do with my 1987. Its basically going to sit until I get some money to really dump into the car. The car has great sentimental values, so I want to do this right.

Some different ideas I’ve been playing with is:

Fix up the TPI with all the latest part available: Vortec heads, Scoggie Dicken intake mani’, SLP runners, etc,. Build up the block to 383? But still need to fix the tranny. What kind of power could I expect?

Drop in a used LT1 complete w/ tranny, harnesses, etc. Again, possibly build it up to 383? But I already got a nice LT1 tucked in a 1995. Do I really want another one?

Why go thru the hassle to drop in an LT1 when you can do the same w/ a used LS1 complete w/ tranny, harness, etc. and have more power stock for stock. Do head and cam and that’s a very easy 400HP at the flywheel. It would cost more then an LT1, but way more power per price it would seem.


These are my most recent thoughts on the matter, but then now I’m thinking about moving toward another direction: 3.8 Turbo V6. Either a 3.8 Turbo from the 1989 TA, or a Buick GNX/Turbo Regal.

Has any one ever done this? Is it worth the hassle?

After reading up on the famed 1989 TTA’s, it just seems like a totally fun car to have. I’ll never own a real TTA (since I already have a 3rd gen and they want so much for them), but what about swaping in the motor at least. Or at least the same motor from a Buick GN.

A final thought was a 3.8 Supercharged motor from the more recent GTP’s. My wife and I just bought one and I love it. It was a used 2002 and its not bad for what it is. I yanked out the stock air intake box and put on a K&N cone and now you really hear the supercharger. Its real cool. And all I see in GM High Tech and High Tech Pontiac is people really getting some big power from this 3.8 SC motors. One drawback I heard is you could never put the motor in a RWD car because the intake would be backwards (since GTP’s are FWD). Is this true?

I guess I’m on this kick because of the GTP we just got. Plus in our club, we got a Syclone, a turbo TA, a Vorteched S-10 and a sup’d up GTP. It just seems the SC or Turbo V6 in a 3rd gen would be a lot more fun then another V8, LOL….. You can toy with it more. Up the boost, get different Turbos, intercoolers, etc. Plus I guess I want the “ooooooooo” factor! J It kinda goes with my Knight rider set up, LOL..

What about putting in the 4.3 Turbo V6 from the Syclones/Typhoons?

Please let me know your thoughts……Pros/cons, etc. etc…..

 

You'll need to judge what type of mechanical skills you have, and how much money you have to spend. also identify any parts/equip that you already have and can reuse.

I can tell you that setting up a turbo motor in the car will be big $$$ because unless you know what you are doing, a mechanic will have to do it.

Best bang for the buck with always be SBC. Why? Cause that's what most everyone else does.

LT1 is the closest non-original type motor to being a 'bolt-in' and is probably better bang-for-the-buck than even the LS1. Parts are generally cheaper and there have been more conversions than the LS1 already done.

LS1 requires more fabbing for the install, and a higher cost overall. Stock for stock is IS better than the LT1, but mod the LT1 and it will be just as powerful as the LS1.

** I'm sad to see you left out the BBC ** Headers are made for the application and it's been done before, but pop the hood around car guys and watch them flock to the GLORY that is the BBC.



Good luck with your decision!

 

BBC?? Doh!

I've love too, but one major thing I forgot to mention, double doh doh is I want to remain smog legal.

The car is an 87'. If I go with LT1, LS1 or a 3.8 TTA motor, I'm good. I can go backwards in year. Its a california smog thing.

The motor must be newer then the car its going in. Then the car, regardless of year must be smogged to the spec of that motor's year.

If I take an LT1 from an 94', then I must be up to smog spec for the year 1994, even though my car's an 87.

This is at least was I understood.

 

Do I know you?

Hey Daniel!

Check out this post from our Socal third gen club:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/show...hreadid=198370
About half way down somone asks about a turbo Buick motor, and apparently you can as long as your 1989 or younger- but Don said something about the heads from it not working on thirdgens...you make want to ask Don over there, he should be able to explain it all...

 

Brit! You're awesome! I owe you one!

I posted to that thread. Lets see what kinda feed back I get.

Thanks.


Any one else have any input on the subject?

 

TTT