So i have an 87 camaro convertible, 5 speed manual trans. The motor is no good, so i just bought a 350 out of an 89 camaro. Now i beleive there is only 10 to 20ish more horse power in the 350, but i told my brother and he's telling me to becarefull not to twist my frame? I know they didnt offer the convertible with a 350 and a 5 speed, so is there any truth in the stock 350 being able to twist my frame? Im adding headers but thats about it, im not looking for a rocket ship. I already bought the engine and im pretty sure im putting it in the car in a week or so, lets hope she can handle it. I read the convertibles were made from the t top cars that had extra bracing of some sort? I told my mechanic buddy and he said its gonna be under 300hp so i shouldnt worrie about it, but i worry so i would like a more deffinate answer. I'll probably get sub frame connectors, and a strut tower brace. Why would he say it would twist the frame? i dont get it.

 

Unless it's a ridiculously built 350, I don't see you twisting the frame. I think in '89 they only made around 250 hp. Headers will boost it up to about 270. I'd get sub frame connectors any ways. Makes the car handle a lot better. Plus, you may not know it, but eventually you'll want to build it for more power. It happens to all of us.

The reason your brother would say that is because convertibles are weaker than hard- and t-tops cars. Hard tops are the strongest. Depending on who you talk to, t-tops are weaker or just as strong as hard tops (IMO, they're a tad weaker). And convertibles are even weaker but it takes a lot of torque to twist the frame (unless it's sagging) even for a convertible.

I'd be more worried about the 5 speed than the frame, though.

 

My thoughts too. You'll probably twist the trans before the frame. Consider the T5 a frame saver.

 

Since your car has no frame, I wouldn't be worried about it twisiting... all kidding aside unless that thing makes 600+HP and has slicks on it for full strip launches, you will be just fine.