Im looking for third gen preferably an 86-92. I want to get one that would be good for a 350 swap. Im only 15 and have minimal mechanical experience but I have friends who can probably help with this. Ive been thinking about an lt1 and t-56 swapbut i dont know if that would be too much work for someone like me. Would it be easier to just get a carbed 350 and swap that in or do u think i could handle an lt1 swap? Or should i just get one with an lt1 or a carbed 350 in it already? If i got the 350 what would i do for a transmission? I want the car i will be using to have a manual already. Could i use just use the stock t-5 or would that not be able to handle the power?

Basically what would be good for someone like me who wants a 350 and a manual transmission?

 

anything but the weakest 350 crate motor will pretty much kill a t5. although you can get them rebuilt for power...but that's $$$

my suggestion is to get an 85-86 car, they will have the old style rear main seal (can never remember if its one piece or 2...). it will be easier to swap in a carbed crate motor with the old style.

if you want turn key simplicity, and decent power and efficiency...try something like the ramjet 350. as long as you're carefull you can nurse the t5 along till you can afford the t56 or maybe a tremec

 

It's kinda hard to give advice on this since there's so many routes you can take. I started out with a 92 Camaro that the previous owner swapped a very mild 327 into. It still had a T5 in it too. Stupid me put money into that trans again and again, money I could have saved and put into the T56 I have now. I also put money into the 327 that later kerploded. I was only 17 or so when that happened so I got a free 305 form my neighbor just so the car would drive. I wasted a little more money on that engine before I finally saved up for a new engine. I decided to build my own and ended up putting a small fortune in it. Then I had to put a T56 in to replace the weak and already half dead T5. Next thing ya know, I break the rear axle!


I guess my best suggestion is get a car that has a good solid body, is or was a V8 car with a manual, drop a decent crate engine in it (like the RamJet suggested above, I agree on going with fuel injection), put a T56 in it, and mabye a new rear gear and posi (most likely). It's a snowball effect, one you start changing one part of the car, you have to change so many other parts to make it right. Consider you're going to want to upgrade the exhaust system and some money into the fuel system. The trans is going to need a clutch and the matching hydralic's to work it.

There's also alot of good articles out there on the T56 swap for thirdgens. thidgen.org has a full write up on it somewhere.

Hope I helped a little!

 

thanks guys, any more ideas/suggestion or anything?

 

A Ramjet 350 crate engine would take the least amount of work to still retain EFI. It's self contained computer needs 12 volts and plumb the stock fuel lines into the fuel rails. Start with a TPI 305 or 350 car because it will have an EFI fuel system already in it. I'd keep the 5 speed until it broke, maybe keep a spare on hand. Set aside $1000 for SLP headers and y-pipe, catback exhaust.

$10,000 should get it done with some added goodies here and there to make the car safe/up to date. Replacing the steering components, alignment, new shocks, a few good suspension pieces, etc. Goodluck!

 

I think you should buy either a stock 305/t5 car or 350/700r4 car. Either the 305 or 350 TPI setups would keep you happy for a couple years and allow you the time to continue learning and saving up to do drivetrain upgrades. If you were to get a solid 350 TPI car, the price of T56s to swap in from an LT1 car is only going down right now. That'd probably be a better project to take on than a full LT1 swap when you're still new to this stuff. You'd have alot less electrical work to do, which is usually the most challenging part.

 

the ramjet 350 engine looks like a pretty nice engine but its a little too expensive. i dont wanna spend more than 3-4k on both the engine and transmission. How much do you think i could pick up a used t56 for?

 

anybody???

 

On Ebay, t-56's are selling for 12-1400$ on average. Check that out. Otherwise, check the junk yard Bro.

 

I would chill and try to keep your dreams and goals a little more within reach......These swaps and build ups are very expensive. You could find an LT1 car with a T-56 at a descent price and be way ahead....as in no swapping to do and save a few bucks vs. buying a 3rd gen....motor, trans, nickel and dime parts....


Just buy you an old car to drive and chase girls.........cars are too expensive and time consuming

 

That's the best advice so far

 

do some searching, some company's website was posted a few months ago that built a TPI specific engine that put out mid 300hp and was designed to bolt right up to the stock TPI setup (other than maybe an injector upgrade).

it was a good deal if i remember.

you could also go for some of the 280-300hp crate 350s from Jegs or summit for $1500-2500.

maybe check out some places like VRE for some short/long blocks.

 

isnt the super ram intake pretty good and add alot of power? But they are pretty hard to find tho right? How much do u think i could get one for?

 

why is there so little activity on the 3rd gen board?!?!

 

Because we're all busy trying to get our third gens running