Well as some of yall know im desperately lookin for somethin to replace the ol 305. would it be better overall to get an LT1 and put it in or build a 383/396/406? i want to do fuel injection though so if i build a motor id find somethin other than carb. i would build up the 305 but im gonna put that in the corner of my garage so when i go to sell the car i can put it in and keep my built motor. any ideas appreciated.

 

you have to be realistic and know exactly what you want if you want it to turn out right.

be realistic with your horsepower choice and your budget otherwise obviously everyone will tell you to go as big and over the top as you can.

just remember the more you go with a larger engine the more money it costs. the extras add up quick and fast. i had more into my extras then the engine itself just to make sure the car could handle it.

 

talkin like lca's, sfc's stuff like that? well i want a streetable motor, not BAD gas mileage and somethin that will be really reliable (which is why im goin fuel injection) im gonna build the motor over a year or two so ill have time to figure everything out. when i say 383, i basically mean get a used 350 (4-bolt), rebuild it with the necessary parts that need to be replaced, lighter pistons, better flowing heads, new/used crank, etc. 406 would be a basic 400 rebuild bored .030 over w/ lighter pistons, heads that flow better, and basic buildup ya know? am i goin about this whole thing the wrong way?

 

I personally think your best bet would be finding a used LT1 if you want to go the fuel injection route. It doesn't cost that much to swap, and it is almost a direct drop in. A 383 would also be real nice, but chances are you'll get better reliability out of the LT1.

 

how bout the GM crate "ram jet 350"? everything is included and it puts out darn good power...

 

have you seen the price tag? dont forget im workin w/ a high schoolers budget. anyway 383 LT1? sounds good to me. i looked at the othre fuel injection stuff from holley, summit, etc and man they are so expensive. a holly one's like $2200!!! so either carb or LT1 and i am not doin carb.

 

why not carb??? have you ever owned one?? they are not as bad as everyone says and they have more room for growth. you can still get decent gas mileage out of a carb and reliability too. plus they are easy as anything to work on. a tpi is a good route but prices add up. you said you want a decent amount of power well carb is the way to go. take a trip over to thirdgen.org and there's a guy who posted a setup that makes 500 horsepower and gets 20 miles to the gallon. not sayin you're gonna spend that much but your best bet would be to build a 350 while you are still driving your car. take your time on this. is this your first swap?? if it is you will here everyone tell you to make sure you do it right. i was in the same boat as you two years ago though. i was 17 had a 305 carb and was thinking of modding that motor. my friend had a 5.0 stang and told me to just buy exhaust and save for an engine. took his advice and about a year later i am in the 12's with street trim. believe if your like me the build will be worth your time and money if it is done right. nothing like the satisfaction of doing something right.

either way if you are that crazy about tpi then go for it. it's your car. im just sayin ive owned 3 cars that have all been carb motors and never had a problem with any of them.

 

no i'm not talking suspension.

how much power are you looking to have and what is your budget?

i was talking extras in the engine bay as well as a trans and rear end that will hold and not blow.

if your only talking under 300 horses then you won't have alot. i'm running alot more than that so there are alot of extras to make sure i'm reliable to the corner store and still getting good gas mileage.

 

lookin for around 300, maybe 350..budget- part time job at 5.25/hr, soon to be around 6.50 so im not gonna have a lot which is why its a couple year plan. im worried about my tranny though, t-5s arent very strong and if it wouldnt hold then that would throw a huge wrench in the whole operation...T-56's arent cheap.

 

i'd stick with a nice 350 build up then. you can make alot of nice power re-using alot of your parts and still have a fun car.

if you go 383 your looking at alot more money for the work as well as the extras and you will need a better trans and possibly rear end.

you still haven't said what your budget is. helps to have an idea of how much you plan to spend.

 

glad to see you're taking your time on this. if you really like working on cars and want to learn more about them try to work at a chevy dealership. start out just washing and detailing the cars. my friend does this and makes like 2-300 a week. you get a tip every time you wash your car. while you are working there become friends with the mechanics and tell them your plans for your car. most likely if you save for a nice engine most will charge you almost nothing to put it in. i did this and the guy swapped in my engine, trans, installed my headers including taking out my old engine for 400 bucks!. my uncle knew the guy so he got me a really good deal. plus if you work at a chevy dealership you can get everything wholesale. how does a performance crate with slp products sound??? and you wouldn't void any warranties on the motor. it's up to you. i have no idea where you work now but consider this. plus you can detail your car while your working not bad never have to pay for cleaning supplies again. wow im rambling on but seriously though i have swapped in a crate and would be more than happy to help you with parts and any other problems you have.

peace

 

I am in a very simiular boat as you bud. I am 17 as well, with a part time after school job $8.50/hr, exept I have a 305 TPI. It's decent, mid 14's, but I want more. I'm lookin into an LT1 conversion, or throwing a 350 under the TPI. I would like to know how much the LT1 conversion has been done for....including price of motor, I want to know approximately how much it would cost..
I'm on a budget....sorta, my own budget, I want to spend less than $4,000 for everything needed. Can and LT1 be dropped in for less than that? Rebuilt LT1?

 

LT1 would be the more logical way to go. You can get great power, there's a huge aftermarket, plus you'll get good gas mileage since it's fuel injected. You go with a built SBC or even a BBC fueled by a carb and be prepared for around 10mpg compared to easily 22 with the LT1. Fuel injection is a lovely thing. There's nothing like having 350hp and getting 26 mpg

Nate

 

how old do you have to be? im only 16 and im pretty sure you gotta be 18. i cant even work at NAPA or Advance, etc. til 18 b/c people shock themselves when checking batteries. anyway..i got 950 in the bank now, and have about 100 left every month (after insurance, gas, car, etc.), i dont plan on spendin much more than 2500, MAYBE 3000. if i decide to go lt1, then later have money to stroke it would it be a pain takin the motor back out? how much would an lt1 swap cost and should i try to get 95+ b/c of vented opti spark? appreciate it.

 

if you plan on going the lt1 route then plan on the engine to be about 1500-2000. thats the easy part. wiring and the whole swap are another story