trav87z28

Hey guys first off thanks for taking the time to check out this thread. I have an 87 z28 camaro thats using the Lg4 305. I love the the way the car looks and everything but I must say its a slug. Ive read some older threads here about building up the lg4 but I just cant sink money into the 305 seeing how its not as capable of making the power a 350 355 383 can make. Dont get me wrong the 305 is reliable and great on gas im not bashing. Id like the car to be streetable but be able to hold its own at the track. Im looking for 13s maybe 12s in the 1320. Ive been looking at some crate engines from summit and year one. Im sure with a new motor I would need more support in other areas as well. Any guidance would be great. Btw the car is an automatic and has a 10 bolt rearend. Of course im on a budget around 5k more or less. Thanks guys.

trav87z28

Ok maybe I should give more info. I was thinking maybe a crate engine from year one. The 350 with 400hp and 400ft.lbs tq. Is this engine decent or should I skip for a GM crate? Im seriously new to a lot of this and like I said advice would help out a lot.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

If your budget allows up to 5k just for the engine, here is a great one for you:

https://www.patriot-performance.com/...&cat=69&page=1

Tobias05

i have a 350HO crate, its a pretty good motor. unfortunately, i also have an ls1. lol. no comparision vs the two.

i wouldn't spend more than four grand on a crate motor. do everything in your power to keep the CCQjet setup. not to mention you will want a new torque converter. I cannot express how big a difference a custom TC made in my 87. much more impressive than the 2.73 to 3.42s ratio increase.

...a buddy of mine is running a blueprint vortec 383 in his early monte carlo. it runs well too, with more power than my HO. nothing a cam swap won't fix lol...

good luck! its a blast!

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Yea, the honest truth, is a 5.3 for 500$, cam for 300$, pushrods 100$, springs/locks/retainers 200$, modded shorty headers 100$, gaskets 100$, timing chain 100$, intake and MSD box 600$, swap mounts as low as 30$, misc brackets and what not 500$ tops and then you have 450-480 HP for about 3000$.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Nothing there to meter the fuel into the air stream. "Modded shorty headers" - $100? Sounds about $400 short. Also nothing in that budget to cover the transmission.

My rule of thumb is to plan on spending as much handling the power as you spend making it. To get into the low 13's will take about 375 FWHP. That will cost you about $3k or so for a crate engine. Plan on another $3k to put that power to the ground (tranny/torque converter upgrades, subframe connectors if you don't already have them, gears/posi, LCA mods, suspension bushings, etc., etc., etc.).

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Here you go, just mod the exhaust flange the way you want and they will work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-...Q5fAccessories

Yea, a carb for 60$ from Ebay and rebuild for 40$, you have a good carb to meter all the fuel you want.

The stock trans will work as long as it is a automatic.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Some people have access to sweetheart deals on exhaust work, but those $125 headers ($79.95 plus $44 shipping - cute hidden cost there) will require extensive rework to stock exhaust. To say nothing about what you would have to do to stock exhaust to allow it to support 450 HP (for stock LG4, basically replace it all - of course, that would be the case regardless of which direction you go for a swap).

You can't bolt up a stock 3rd gen torque converter to a 5.3. You'll either need a spacer behind the flexplate, or a swap torque converter. You also need to do something with the TV cable (minor cost with a carb, but still needs to be considered). And, if you're making 450 HP out of 5.3l, you're going to need a lot more than stock stall to get the engine into the powerband.

Not sure which intake you get with the MSD for $600, but the one that supports 480 HP out of a 5.3 is not exactly a street-friendly piece.

Not trying to be a wet blanket on a 5.3 swap, just realistic. Lowballing swap costs has got to be very high on the "reasons for project failure" list.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

Well, the MSD 6LS is the one i have used on a nice 6.0 build with no issues.

I would not mate those headers or any for that fact to stock exhaust.

The MSD AND intake are 600$ for both of them, i have seen the intake go for 270$ as well as the MSD box, so it can be a bit cheaper.

Just gotta look. As for the short headers supporting 480 HP, i have seen a friend use a set of those shortys on a 408 and it did great. Of course it will not get max power, but it evidently didnt kill the power.


Budget minded folks like myself make stuff happen with time, it doesnt happen over night like we wish

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Assuming a $5k-ish budget:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BP3834CT1/ (Assume $300 shipping, $3500)

Vortec spreadbore intake, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/ , bolts & gaskets, $225

Higher stall lock-up torque converter, http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HUP-22-25L/, $360

Exhaust (Hooker 2055HKR headers, Catco 9118 direct-fit cat, your choice of '86-'90 TPI single cat cat-back) ~$800-$1000

That's slightly over $5k, would use your existing carb, distributor, computer, etc. I'd add sub frame connectors to the "support" list. If you plan on using this new-found power to its full potential, plan on a complete 10-bolt improvement (aftermarket gears, posi carrier, aftermarket axles {go 28-spline on the carrier and axles while you're at it}, aluminum support cover, ~$1000-$1500 w/labor).

I know that's more than you said your budget would be. But, that's a realistic package. You could go with a less expensive engine, like an iron head 355 for about a grand less.

trav87z28

Wow I must say you are all very helpful. Im leaning towards the 383 blueprint crate that five7kid has posted. The lg4 that I have has had a few things done to it but im just guessing nothing was thought out very much when parts were picked out. It doesnt have the Qjet carb anymore its using an edelbrock and im guessing its a 600cfm. I could be wrong but I dont know why someone would use something any bigger on the 305 in stock form. Also it has a accel distributor and was told it had some type of superchip. When I got the car I had plans of all new exhaust. I got a set of hedman headers 68460. Was going to buy a y pipe but decided I needed to come up with a plan for a build insted of just buying parts. Will these headers be fine? If so I would like to get a ypipe and a 3'' flowmaster exhaust system and catco cat. I dont want to decide just yet on the engine because of one ive found on year one. Let me know what you guys think of it. http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...ain2.asp?cat=G
So the stock harness will be suficient for the swap? Thanks guys this means a lot.

trav87z28

Crap just realized that link wasnt going to take you to the engine. Scratch that motor just noticed a couple of things about it thats not what im really looking for. I will be going with a blueprint crate. Now to decide 355 or 383. What will I be looking at to make 400 hp and or torque to the wheels? Will a cam and a good exhaust system put me close? I know the 383 is already rated at 400 give or take. The 355 isnt far behind I think 385. Of course this isnt going to be to the wheels. Wish it was that easy. Sorry for so many questions I just want some experianced guidance and I must say so far im pleased.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Those headers will be okay.

You didn't say anything about the carb having been changed out. I'd call that a major downgrade. But, if the original q-jet is gone, you can do a square bore Vortec intake and Holley carb. Also, if the original q-jet is gone, the "superchip" is moot - the computer isn't doing anything anymore.

Your Year One link doesn't take me to a specific engine (or any engine, for that matter, just "Restoration and Performance Parts"). Year One is a good outfit, but their prices tend to be a bit high.

You can put any Gen I SBC (and most BBC's) into a 3rd gen with a stock harness.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Ah, you noticed your link issues.

Blueprint Engines lists that engine as 420 HP, which you can assume is gross flywheel, meaning headers, single plane intake, probably a healthy sized carb. If you are going with a square bore carb, then a Performer RPM and 750 Holley would do very well. Not sure what cam they're using, but something like a Comp XE274 would probably wake it up. Still, it'll have pretty good power as-is.

400 RWHP would require at least 475 GFWHP. Figure on more cam, better headers, and a lot more "support" in other areas.

Tobias05

bummer, no CC?

I've spent the last few yrs trying to keep my buddy from getting rid of his CCQjet on his 85 Lg4. he finally swapped in an xe262, but he also went to autozone and bought a 4160, accel hei, and an EPS manifold. i've helped to tinker with the new setup a bit, but a few months down the road he no longer drives it, and is now looking to sell...