Little Engine Help...

Hi... Im kinda new to this site... But i was wondering if anyone here could tell me what they think would be best for my 90 trans am.. It is in running condition... but i want to make it a "weekend car".. as of right now the car has a stock 305 in it.. along with everthing else.. its stock.. i wanna build it up to make it a bad machine.. I was thinkin of an LS1 vette motor.. but I dont know what it would take to do that..?

any ideas anyone?

first decision:

do you want it cabureted of fuel injected? Carb = relatively cheap and easy to install.... FI = more wiring, PCM tuning likely needed, more expensive.
FI does have good benefits though.

secondly, do you want to use the motor u have or are you wanting to buy all new parts?

drag race or just street machine?

budget?

Always have to start out with a budget.

Kevin-- You ever get rid of that V6 exhaust on your car and get some good stuff under there?

that swap is expensiv...let me tell u! even with the discounts i got while sposored, and having a shop to do all the work and resourses and not to mention a cheap close to new ls1 out of a friends wrecked zo6...it still sent me over 6k. its fun to do, but unless u wanna make it a year project, or u have the cash flow to ger r done....maaaaaan its no joke! i myself would go for the ls1 swap..it was the most fun i had..well almost had lol....

Thanks guys... I really dont have a budget.. Im kinda just goin with it.. But my dad is a certified mechanic... And he still doesnt know what we should do with this car.. The car right now wont go over 2000 rpm... pedal to the metal... It just wont do it... change spark plugs.. checked fuel... but its a 305... I think I want something bigger.. I want a street legal car.. Just to drive on weekends.. And to show off to the guys.. Ya know? If I wanna get on it... I WILL GET ON IT!! haha.. Dad had mentioned something about sticking a small block in it.. all set up and everything... But thats kinda why im askin you guys... Fuel injected..? what? What do you think would make this machine ultimate?!! thanks...

I say, drop in a stroked 383 LT1. Heads and a decent cam will make that thing run real nice.

Moved to Performance..

the new gm LSX block is amazing!!!!! http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/EngineShowcase/index.jsp?engId=LSX&engine=LSX&sku=19166454&engCat=ls
in super chevy mag they did a build up with it for reggie jackson and it was a 454 LSX that made like 642 hp, heres a link to the reggie jackson build http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/AutoshowArticles/articleId=117396

Hi... Im kinda new to this site... But i was wondering if anyone here could tell me what they think would be best for my 90 trans am.. It is in running condition... but i want to make it a "weekend car".. as of right now the car has a stock 305 in it.. along with everthing else.. its stock.. i wanna build it up to make it a bad machine.. I was thinkin of an LS1 vette motor.. but I dont know what it would take to do that..?

any ideas anyone?

If you want a "bad machine" your going to need a budget. Its cheaper to make power using a carb setup and really fuel injected cars dont get all that much better gas mileage. For $1,500.00 you could be running 13's down a quarter mile track, wich is around 10% of the total average cost of cars you would be running neck and neck with. :2cents:

alright.. Thanks... Does anyone know how powerful my 305 motor could be... built from top to bottom...?

+350 HP isnt out of the question but if your going to spend the kind of money it would take to do that, you might as well pick something with more displacement IMO.

alright... Now what are you suggesting I drop in my car??

A machine shop could assemble you a 400 horse 350 SBC for around 1,000 bucks, and you will need a decent intake, HEI vac advance dist, starter upgrade and exhaust to go with it. Plus a few other small items like a carb, some wiring ect.

thats definitely how i would go.believe me i have an 86 with a 305 :disappoin :gay: (sorry i couldnt find a vomiting smiley or he would be in there too).i installed a vaccuum advance distributor and holley carb in place of the "electronic" bits and now in between working im tryin to get a timing chain in without taking any more apart than i have to.i promise this engine is not worth the money it will take to upgrade it, depending on mileage i guess.its small displacement which usually sacrifices torque for top end, such as a 327, but the cams in them were so bad that didnt happen either, so all you have is an engine with nothing at 4k rpm and no bottom end torque.garbage imo.hold off on the efi and LS1 and put in a mild 350 with a carb and you will be so happy with the improvement that by the time you realize you want more horsepower you'll really be able to afford upgrades to the bigger engine.wrenching on old 305s yields nothing but disgust.sorry for ranting, just my :2cents:

hey at least you have a 305 i only got a 3.4L, think how i feel...:banghead: but to my defence i bought an awsome car for 1100$, it was struck by lightning so i bought it totaled and bad title, put a new alternator on it, and so far its took me 120,000 miles

thanks guys.. I now have somewhat of an idea of the type of engine I wanna put in it.. the guy that had the car before I did.. he said the 305 in it.. would barely get the tires to squeal... so thats not something I want... haha.. thanks again guys..