LS1 Swap VS Built 305.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

So, here's the deal. I bought a 1987 Camaro Z28 with a lackluster, carbed 305(AT) in it. And I obviously I bought the car for some American power. You know, one of the better things in life. :) But I'm 17 years old, so I don't have a lot of money to be spending. And I'm torn between an LS1 swap versus building up that old 305. I need your opinions. I'm looking for the cheapest way to about 300 - 350 horses. So please, leave me with your opinions. Help me make up my mind.

[badjuju342]

Actually , you should consider getting an LT1 from a '93-'97 Camaro or Firebird. It will bolt right in , have close to that HP bone stock and can be had for less than building the 305 or LS1 . You could keep your stock transmission,wiring isn't bad and it responds decently to bolt on mods. The LS1 has a few advantages but isn't any where near as cost effective. My.02 on the project.

[MrDavid]

Most people here would tell you to save and get the LS1, but if you are only looking for 300 to 350 then the LT1 can be had for much cheaper like Juju says and with some basic bolt'ons you should see close to 300hp. If you save and get the LS1, you will have over 300 right out of the box. I would can the old 305 if I were you. I believe that you will only be disappointed with it in the future.

[98chevyman]

i agree with dave and juju dump the 305 i have the same problem with an s10 truck i have im currently looking for engine options

[CobraGT]

When I was 17 I got a 75 Monte Carlo, Swivel buckets, floor shifter and an anemic 155 horse 350 2bbl. I lucked out in finding a 50,000 mile 300hp 350 out of a 69 Impala for $300. The engine stock had 10 and a 1/4 to 1 compression and duel valve springs. I did go through the motor, new rings, bearings a bigger cam. I put a quadrajet from a Caddy 500 on it. with what little I did to it I'm sure I boosted it another 100 horse. Check around there are still late 60 early 70s cars that still have there original motors. look for four door cars. those can be picked up cheap. A small block is still relatively cheap to rebuild.

[WhiteIrocZ]

Money wise, I would find a 350 block, buy a 383 stroker kit from CNC motorsports (Ebay Store...Great Quality), and a set of Vortec heads, Cam, Aluminum intake, and a Holley and that will get you to your desired power level, and can be had for less than 2500...and you will have a reliable street motor that will do something third gens weren't built to do...and that's haul ass.

If you want to keep the ole 305, do what I am thinking about doing. Powerhouse engine kits makes a 335 stroker kit for the 305. About 10:1 compression with some nice heads and spray will do the trick...and get you out about the same.

If you go 335, then don't think you are getting any more power out of it than 300 hp. If you plan to really make it fast, build the 383, so you have a good foundation to make some solid power.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

I had actually thought about getting an Lt1 instead of an LS1 just because it's much more cost effective. And I think I'll go with that. Just dump the old 305, and drop in a LT1. But I'll have to find one from a 1993, or at least the throttle body, if I want to keep the 700R4. Because I read on http://www.geocities.com/texaslt1/lt1swap/swap.html, that the t/v cable will only hook up to the transmission if it's a 93' because the A/Ts after that were electronically controlled.

[MrDavid]

Just be wary of a '93 because that was the first year of LT1. I personally wouldn't own a first year engine from any manufacturer. BJ might disagree with me on that one, but he now has a last year LT1 out of a 97.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Yea, I agree. All companies need time to work out bugs. I'll probably get a full engine/tranny swap so I won't have to worry about much. Since the 305 motor and tranny have like 109k on them.

[WhiteIrocZ]

What makes you want to go fuel injected??? Cheap speed and fuel injection don't really go together, especially when the car wasn't fi to begin with.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Can I ask you a question? What the hell are you talking about?

[MrDavid]

he is talking about getting a carburated intake instead of a fuel injected one. Then you won't have to deal with all the computer programming issues.

[WhiteIrocZ]

This is what the hell I am talking about smart ass...if you don't want advice from people who have been in the same situation as you and have learned from past experiences, then do us all a favor and say so, then piss off.

An aluminum intake with a nice holley carb can be picked up around $500ish, and even cheaper off of ebay or a local classified ad. A good intake and carb can flow the same, and sometimes even more than any factory efi setup. How much will you have in an LS or LT swap, way more than $500 with the intake, fuel rails, computer, wiring harness, and not to mention tuning.

Therefore, unless you have money to burn, you could be just as fast with a carb setup if not faster, because that means more money to put into the motor and trans.

So that leads me into my previous question that I asked earlier that you could not understand...

Why do you want to go with Fuel Injection, since your car was carbed from the factory???? Is it your every day driver and you just want EFI or what??

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Well, maybe if you fucking knew how to word shit, I wouldn't have to be a smart ass. :) But I see what you're saying now. So, TOUCHE. :p

[The EnforceR]

i understood perfectly what he was saying?

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Shut up, you're not helping my case. :(

[MrDavid]

You aren't gonna get help on your case. You are new here and we all know each other. There is no need to be an ass.

[98chevyman]

ass ass ass :iggy:

[ThirdGenGuy87]

How long do you think it will take 2 people to remove the old 305 and put in the lt1?

[The EnforceR]

14 hours and 35 minutes probably. nah idk, hiofficer or comptaclone can chime in, theyve had the LT1s out of their cars before.

[01BlackBird]

the old 305 should take no more than 1.5 hours to get out and the lt1 will take about the same to put back in its just running all of your wiring and stuff thats gonna be a pain I had a third gen I converted to a tpi motor the wiring is the hardest part motor in and out is a peice of cake in a terd gen

[ThirdGenGuy87]

That's great. I was shooting for like..a weekend. :p

[MrDavid]

well, if you have never done a swap before, you might not want to plan anything else on that same weekend. Jay was giving you minimal times with optimal conditions, and everything going the way you want it to.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Well, I sure haven't done a swap before, But my dad has done more than a few. I hope everything works out well, I should be ordering the motor/tranny sometime in april.

[01BlackBird]

like I said the swap itself is easy i say but I have a few years and a few motor swaps under my belt. a weekend will probably be pushin it for a first timer like i said the wiring is a pain and dont forget you gotta change that fuel pump which isnt that easy in a third gen to do it without cutting anything the rearend has to be lowered and the exhaust to get the tank out

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Fun..Don't I need some kind of custom fuel lines?

[01BlackBird]

na I dont think you will need anykind of custom lines

[ThirdGenGuy87]

Well guys, I think I changed my mind totally. My sister is selling her '86 Iroc-Z With a brand new 350 in it, Rated at like 300 horses. I'm gonna buy it for $3,000. :)

[MrDavid]

well, that sounds like a good deal. What kind of Tranny you gonna be running? What year is the 350 and what is done to it to crank out 300hp?

[ThirdGenGuy87]

700R4 is in it now, I believe. I couldn't tell you what's done to it, or what year it is. It is carburated, I know that much. All I can go on is what my sister has told me. I've driven the car, and it definitely feels quick. Seems like nothing to crank out 145 - 150 on the highway. And I had to let off, Traffic was getting real thick.

[MrDavid]

That is surprising. It would be a challenge to get an LT1 auto to 150. I'm sure it could be done. But, doing it like it is nothing? That engine must have some mods to it that you are unaware of.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

I'm sure it does. I'll see if I can get ahold of the previous owner, I'll keep you guys updated.

[ThirdGenGuy87]

So I got the car with minimal problems. I payed 3k for it. It needed a new hood and a new transmission. So the 87 became a parts car. ;) Just need to get the stuff installed and some fresh paint put on.

[01BlackBird]

sounds like you have a nice car to toy with I love third gens and Iv owned 2 and plan on getting another soon enjoy your car