Alright Im still in high school but I've always had the nicest car but this week this kids getting rather an Rx-7 or an R32 for his first car. For the past couple years I've put all my time in to ext/int and left the engine stock. My question is what will I need besides a miracle to beat an R32. Right now I've got a 1986 Z28, see link at bottom, 305 (LG4) with a muffler shop 2 1/2 exhaust, open element intake, new wires and plugs, emissions mostly removed, new radiation and oil pan, and new gaskets. I know as of right now I will be humiliated but this is important to me, I actually put time and money into my car and this kids dad is just buying him a 30k for no reason. My options are basically mod the 305, swap in a 350, swap in an LS1 or go big block. Whats my cheapest and most practical option, this should have been done a while ago but I havent had any money till now. The only cars I have ever raced are Civics, a Golf, a 4th Gen, and a Viper. Look- http://www.cardomain.com/ride/756169

 

Well you have a few options, a 350 could be made really nasty, if you bought the engine cheap enough you could get a big cam, heads, headers, and a nitrous shot...that'd definately do the trick. Or you could get a big block, but it'd depend on WHAT big block you get.....obviously if you drop the 572 in there you have no worries, but if you put in a 454 out of a tow truck you'll be in deep sh*t, An LS1 is a good option, but I pesonally would stear clear because of all of the complication of the PCM, wiring, fuel injection, etc. etc.. Plus it'll be expensive. Don't waste your time with a 305.....Check out PAW...I used to have one of their catalogs....if you can get one, they sell all kinds of engines, parts, and other such stuff.

 

hmm this sounds like an excellent opportunity. Check out those crate engines and see what's up; were 305's carbed or FI?

 

Your going to spend 5k to beat one douche?

Best bang for the buck is a zz4, your car will run real strong with 355 hp and 410lbs of torque..

 

Nah but it is motivation to get going on it. I finally have time and I finally have money but have been to lazy. I know I am going to get flamed but around what gas mileage will a modded 350 get because I still drive this every day during the summer but it doesnt matter either way. I just have no clue but I liked the LS1 because it was modern even though its a slight pain to swap.

 

You can get them w/ either a 4bbl or TPI. The TPI 305's (they commonly came in IROC's) came w/ torque up to 340lbs and hp of around 220; not too terribly far behind the famed L98 350 TPI

 

You might want to check out thirdgen.org, theres a TON of info over there including an entire board just for engine swaps. Also Hawksthirdgenparts.com has bunch of stuff for converting to LS1

 

I know, I'm a member there two but there responsed are all to common half arents practical. I got no problem doing the work myself and I got no problem getting the parts. I'm really just looking for opinions and by the way the LG4 came with the Quadrajet (electronic carb basically) which I recently rebuilt. How much horsepower do you think I would need (just around since thats tricky) to keep up? Would a LS1 swap be sufficient or is that still lagging a little. Im now considering the following, blowing or nitrous along with other parts to the 305, a well built 350 with proper parts and maybe nitrous as backup, or an LS1. What do you guys think?

 

There will always be faster cars than yours, and the old truism of hot-rodding is the faster you go the more it costs. What is your budget and what kind of fabrication ability do you have? Swapping in an LS1 would be an awesome project, but it would be non-trivial to say the least. My guess is that your most cost effective option would be to start from scratch with a carbed 350 or 383 setup, where your options are basically limited only by your bank account.

 

Ya I know, I have the skills and the resources. I have various tools including an engine stand, most specific engine tools such a ring compressors, and for a swap I'm just going to use a fork lift with a bracket from the intake manifold (if the manifolds expose like that). So resources arent a problem but money may be. If I go with a 350 I probably dont have a problem with cash but the LS1 is getting alot steeper. How much do you guys think I could get one for with the harness, module, whatever for? Oh by the way Yossarian14 above is me.

 

you know they do make engine lifts. You can rent those much cheaper than fork lifts even buy them cheaper than renting a fork lift for that matter

- Z28WannaB

 

Nah I'm not renting a fork lift, we got like a dozen of them and thats what I've always used. Actually I've used cherry pickers and a fork lift is much better. Its smooth, can lift it high, does it all by itself, and then can take it anywhere.

 

Plus they're fun to drive . I just got certified today to use them on the flightline, good times. I'd go with a 350 buildup yourself and drop it in. Just buy a nice block and work from there. Go 383 if you have the extra money.

 

Do a slightly used LT1 or LS1 and slap a carb on it. You could get the best of both worlds. Then just for backup, spray away. You could build it all for less than $3,000 if planned out just right. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Haha dude, carb a LS1, you smokin crack? Honestly how much will an LS1 swap cost me, just give me a idea how much some of these parts are going to cost me. If I do go with a 350 should I buy a new block or get an old one from a junk yard and possibly make it a 355? Yes, forklifts are incredibly fun to drive, just got to be careful. Someone was screwin around and accidently speared a huge barrel of glue with it forks.