Some Newb Firebird Questions....

[Fuzzy_C]

hey, i just got my first firebird, a 1980 trans am 4.9L, and i was wondering a few things about it, first thing i was wondering was, is there anything easy that i can do with the car right now to give it a bit more power? also, i have $300 set aside on payday to blow on something for the car, what would people suggest i do with the money? the only things that aren't stock on the car is it has new leaf springs, new radiator, completely new brake system, and a rebuilt transmission. and the last thing that's been kind of bugging me is there's a switch on the dash and i have no idea what it does, it's on the far right bottom corner of the dash, it's in this picture i found:

http://transamtech.com/pics/dash/dash_wfullg1.jpg

it's the little toggle switch to the right of the cigarette lighter, and i haven't been able to figure out what it does, thanks for any help with any of my questions

[CDJr]

Im not sure but it may be either the "add-power" switch, or rear window defroster?

[tuske427]

Honestly- I'd save some more $ and then buy a better engine.

Some engines respond better to hp improvements and the 4.9 isnt' exactly known for it's power output. Besides, the aftermarket is not flooded with 4.9 parts.

The dash pic looks like it's a clean car. you could shelf your original engine , store it and reinstall it at a future date if you wish. (if keeping it original is your thing)

If you can deal with it, throw a chevy 350 engine in there. there's enough second generation camaros out there so the parts interchangability or swapping it over isn't an issue. I say the chevy because of cost. Chevy's are cheap and abundant. If you can find a good deal on a pontiac 400 ,then scoop it up.

If your'e not that serious about power adding and want to leave the car alone, then add a good free flowing dual exhaust. It'll sound better nad may free up a couple of ponies.

the cheapest thing you could do and get noticable power is get a timing recurve kit. they probably cost 5 dollars, and you can actually notice some power with this.

[Fuzzy_C]

i was just looking for little stuff to give it some extra jam right now, i have a chevy 350, a chrysler 400, and a chrysler 440, i'm currently building the 440, that's why i'm only putting $300 into the bird right now, the rest is going into that 440, i just want it to be able to hold it's own until i get around to dropping a motor in, i already have a rebuilt quadrijet 700 carb, new timing chain and gears, new water pump, new wheel bearings, and some other smaller parts to install on it right now. which brings me to another question, do you think a chrysler 440 would work with this car? i originally started working on it for another project, but i ended up selling my other project car and picking up this one, i've worked on chryslers alot, but never really done anything with gm.

i know that it'll be a while, probly like 6 to 8 months before i have that 440 ready, so i just wanna tune up that 305 the best i can with the least amount of money.