1988

Hi all,

I am very new to the firebird world just purchased my first 1988 Firebird Formula with a 305 TBI Auto . and I love it !

It is a personal project car

Main items i want to work on Engine/Trans/Suspension

Took the car down recently installed new radiator/ someone had installed a tiny fan so went to a dual set up. New steering column/ springs/suspension /center link/idler/tie rods/ new brakes /lines / 100k service/ new plugs /trans flush/oil change/. So after all of that i pulled away from the shop and noticed smoke (alot), it was grey/white could not smell coolant.Well i planned to do a rebuild anyway, took it down for a rebuild price and was quoted 2400 for complete rebuild top/bottom including oil pumps/new wiring harness. After reading so many posts on here everyone seems to go with a 350 swap, car is currently sitting in the shop awaiting orders and i wanted to check with the experts here and see what to do. I cant seem to find these cheap 350s everyone keeps talking about first of all. My budget is $2500 MAX ( per the wife) what kinda of install are we talking about buying a 350 and rebuilding/refreshing the motor and actually getting it to work in the car. I just dont want to drop the $2400 on the 305 if it truly is a waste of time in the long run. How will the trans hold up with a 350 ? I am not looking for any massive power upgrades in the future , i want a reliable/torquey motor to take to car shows and cruise. Just dont feel like getting a 350 then blowing my transmission ( more $$$)

The shop will need to all the work as my current garage is no longer set up for car work.

Appreciate any help and glad to have joined the club!

BrutalGTA

iTrader: (2)

Sounds great. Your about to get flamed for not using the search bar. There is a plethora of postings regarding your exact question, just type it into the search bar as if it was Google and you will have days of reading ahead!

Welcome, please be sure to look around and read some build threads. They'll help you with questions and ideas.

1988

I figured I might alright ill keep digging

thank you

Night rider327

iTrader: (13)

Same transmission that GM used on all V8s in the mid 80's to early 90's. In 3400 lbs camaros, in 6,000 lbs suburbans, and everything in between. It will hold up just fine. We have a 700r4 in our '87 suburban, with a 350, almost 300K miles on it.

Don't spend a dime on the 305, not worth it.

Do your own work, or get a big bank roll of cash ready to hand over. Just as an expamle.. That $2400 rebuild.. Here is a master rebuilt kit, better than what they will be using $528 http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/ek-ek0987, and $500 for machine work.. So you are paying them $1400 to pull, rebuild, and put back in.

I would look on craigslist, facebook, paper, etc and find a wrecked 96-00 full size truck, suv, van with a good running vortec 350 in it. You can pick those up all day long for $600-1000 with less than 150K miles on them. If you want, do a $150 rering kit on it (rings, bearings, gaskets)

Then depending on the induction system you want (carb, TBI, TPI) buy the correct vortec style intake for that

Your $2500 budget will get you engine, headers, exhaust, and more if done that away and you will end up with close to 300 HP

1988

Thank you ! appreciate the feedback .

OK i will get it back from the shop then , i will need to purchase a few tools again but the cost should be minimal in the long run.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-350-ENGINE-290HP-330FTLBS-TBI-1987-95-HD-/182062226815?vxp=mtr&hash=item2a63c11d7f
Is this somthing worth looking into for price? this should be a straight drop in

thanks again

midias

I would not buy it, those "290" hp engines are not anywhere near 290hp and it is flat tappet. You would be better served by an L31 from a 96-2000 truck.

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Even if you cant find a junkyard L31 Vortec 350 you can buy a brand new one from Jegs or Summit for a lil over 2k. Not a bad price for a huge upgrade to the lil L03.