Cheap power for a 89 TBI 305, need help?

[xlwhellraiser]

Hi, If you have read my messages you would know that I am still trying to learn everything about the birds and V8's, so I very much so appreciate your suggestions, and most of the times I actually do them.

Now, I have an 89 Bird and its a 305 TBI (180hp I think). Its not quick, but it has its moments (beating 67 camaro, old man driving thinking he is bad hehe). Although I have a lot of respect for Camaro, the old man was just not good.
I have redone my heads, all of it. I am putting in a new radiator and new rear shocks. So that leaves me with very little money, and I want to add something to this car to make it faster (and no I do not have enough money for a 350). Please help I will probably do most of you suggestions.

All I want to do is be intimidating to those ricers, and stangs ( the only stang I appreciate is a 69 Mach1).

Thanks

[pro_am]

Well, a big restriction as I see it, are the fuel injectors. I read that they only pump out 40gph. And you need 50gph to produce max power, (agian just what I read). So replacing those would probably be a great idea. Cams can be really cheap. I got a really good, unused one off of ebay for $60(roller). Another thing to do is put a higher rear gear ratio in your car. That can be a devastatingly effective mod. Good luck, hope you take a lot of ricers!
Jake

[MuscleCrazed]

depends on ur budget, adding a cam, heads etc means tuning or getting a custom prom. Stock injectors are fine for a stock motor.

Lose the stock air cleaner, get an open element. Slap some headers on with a good mandrel bent exhaust and those 2 things alone will show a major improvement. Probably more than any other bolt on unless you start adding better heads, cam and prom.

[xlwhellraiser]

Well, I think that my first thing is to make the machine run cooler, so I will probably replace my radiator and put in two fan assembly. Than I will try to get cold air induction, or I have another crazy idea.
I thought of placing an older trans/am shaker into 89 305. Mainly cuz of looks, but my plan was to flip it backwars so the vents face forward and put an air filter under it. What do you guys think.
Also, I have a fake cowl induction hood, so I was wondering if it would look cool if I just cut my existing hood, so I have cowl with a shaker sticking out??
Also, next month I am investing in NOS, 150hp boost for 600 bucks (pretty much my whole paycheck). Give me your ideas. Thanks

[MuscleCrazed]

running NOS with a stock exhaust would be "dumb"...

[xlwhellraiser]

ok, I found out that NOS is not the best option. And, indeed is dumb. However, have you guys heard of "turbonator" that you can bolt on in 5min, and it gives you a boost between 10and30hp. You can put on two of them as well. I was just reading about it, but I am not sure if anyone used it?

[Rod&Custom]

Some of your ideas are less than great. I really like how you have an '89 Firebird(no offense to other members, but it doesn't look that stunning) with a measley 305 TBI(bad, slow motor) and you say that the only Mustang you have respect for is the '69 Mach 1. What about the Boss 429, and 302. What about the GT350 and GT500's? All of these cars are better than the 1969 Mach 1, yet you don't have respect for those? Back to the bad ideas... Idea 1, put nos on stock motor. This is horrible, because you will blow the pistons out of it, or even worse, throw a rod. You really must think, and consider these things before you buy and install them. Idea 2, cut hole in hood and install shaker.Do you have a lot of bodywork experience, and/or have done this before? Did you ever think about how you were going to get a shaker to sit so high that it can rise above a cowl hood? If you put a cowl hood on and a shaker, you will probably be able to shut the hood without problem, so how do you figure on raising your carb up this high? If you did manage to get it to work, did you visualize how silly a scoop would look sticking 8" above the stock hood height? Did you think about how you could even see, because stock shakers inhibit your viewing area. I am not trying to completely bash you, but I get tired of hearing ridiculous threads like this where there is clearly no real thought put into the idea. What you need to do, is get an open element air filter(K&N), headers and exhaust, and gears. This will do what you are looking for. No need for a 150 hp shot of nitrous. Sorry for the harshness, but think about the usefulness of your modifications before you actually consider them, let alone post it. Hope you can get a few minor mods and smoke some ricers(we all love that).

[xlwhellraiser]

Hey man, I appreciate you input. I would just like to tell you that I am very new at all the mods stuff, and I know that most of my ideas are not stellar. However, I had some ideas that, after thinking about them, were stupid. Still I wanted to know of what I can do. You got to admit that if I somehow managed to get the shaker going it would look awsome. And yes, I have put in headers in my older 79 bird, and I have an open element filter and it did boost it up, but I thought of doing something that might be quicker and/or even better for cheaper. I know that the more horses you want the more expensive it is.
Now, since you have some good ideas, why dont you explain me of what would you do if you had a 305 (and the only way I am putting a 350 in there is if I find it in the junkyard)??
I try not to post stupid stuff, and I appologise if I offended anybody, but I just want to know.

Thanks.

[xlwhellraiser]

Here is my big problem I make about 800 a month and I am trying very hard to save some and get my ride to where it will be respectfull on the street (A lot of ricers really do not want to race me) My car does look way more aggressive than it really is. Its quick, but not very quick. Also I do respect mustangs, but the 69 Mach 1 is something I can actually get, more so than the boss etc. New mustangs and vettes just dont cut it for me they look too regular (however everyone has a different taste).
Rod&Custom If you can really help me can you just tell me what would be good to do, with some prices if possible??
Thanks.

[xlwhellraiser]

Hi, again. I am sorry if I seem persistant, but I want to tell you guys that I have just droped in a new radiator and the coolant is bright green instead of almost black. However my first run ended up over 220. I added coolant to full level and it seemed to be running at about 160-180. I hope it stayst that way. I just want to know if the temp oscilates a lot on 3rd gen birds, since my parents corolla always seems to be cool even at the hottest temps.
Thanks.

[MuscleCrazed]

check your fan relay, maybe its shot. Is your fan(S) comming on at 220?

[Rod&Custom]

It is actually kind of funny that you asked me what I would do if I had a 305, because I just happen to have one! I also just happen to be on a tiny budget, as you are. I am only 15 so I don't have a paycheck at all. My 305(technically Pontiac 307) is luckily a '69(best performance year ever!). It came stock with 200 horses, which I don't consider horrible considering it's just a 305 with a 2-barrel. I have since updated with a 4 barrel manifold(free from a friend), 283 power-pack heads which will up my compression quite a bit from the 9.5-1(also free from friend), flat-top pistons(stock), 327 crank(stock), brand new unopened full gasket set from GM($8 at swap-meet), new stock oil pan($20). As you can see, this is being done VERY cheap. My plans are a moderate 350 cam with lifters($80), Edelbrock 600cfm carb(splurge at $220), roller-tip rockers(another splurge at $120), crank repolish(sorry haven't check yet, but under $100), bearing set(once again, haven't checked, but not insanely priced), rings($50?), pushrods($20), timing gear + chain(cheap). I also got a few items that just appeal to the eye. This would be the ball-milled billet valve covers and oil breather cap, and a matching open element air cleaner which will house a 4" tall K&N filter.I hope I am not missing anything, but as you can see that if you are a real budget shopper, that you can really do a lot with a little. I hope that with this setup will make 300-350 horses. And yes, shaker hoods are awesome looking, I was just trying to point out that shakers don't work unless they come stock. I realize that you may not want to tear apart your engine because it is probably a daily commuter and you cannot go that long without a car, so here are some mods for you. Open element air filter(rechargable). Maybe a carbuerator update depending on the cfm. Exhaust system with X-pipe and whatever muffler you prefer. When doing exhaust though, bigger isn't always better. If the piping is too large, then the exhaust scavenging isn't as good as it would be with a smaller, more appropriate size tubing. Maybe try 2" pipe. Next I would move into your rear-differential for a very cheap and very effective upgrade, the gears! Gears make your car feel like a real beast on a small budget. When shopping for gears though keep in mind driveability and gas mileage some. I would suggest 3.42's. Hope this helps, and I'll keep thinking about some more mods for you.

[xlwhellraiser]

Thanks guys, my radiator just ran 220 again and I am furious. I looked at the overflow and it was at add level at full operating temp. Than I added some and I hope that it will work. I am not sure why it keeps sucking coolant in. It does not go in the block and its not leaking, so it might be that I did not put enough coolant to begin with. I just hope that this works fine, otherwise I would feel like I just droped 130 buck for nothing.
Thanks.

[MuscleCrazed]

Was the fan working or not??? I bet not...

[xlwhellraiser]

it was on, it kinda squeaks when it slows down right as i turn it off.