Hello, I want to buy a third gen Camaro And achieve between 330 and 380 horsepower with it,
I am debating a later 350 TPI model , or an earlier, non TPI car and just swap in a crate motor, so here are my questions

Can a 350 TPI be easily built to that range on a budget?

I have read that the 5 speeds in these cars are really weak, and are rated for about 300 lbs of torque, so how much can the automatics take?, or should I put in a T-56?

how difficult is an engine swap for another small block, I've been told it would bolt straight back.

If the TPI cant be built that easily what small blocks would you recommend?
I have been looking at GM performance parts' 350 ho/ram jet 350/ zz4 350 motors and ive seen Ls1's for sale.

I appreciate any suggestions

 

I would go with a non-TPI 3rd gen and drop a crate motor into it. I would go with either the 350HO or the ZZ4 since they just drop right in and those are very solid motors. An LS1 would be a lot more trouble to swap into a 3rd gen. You could always build your own motor also. It would be cheaper that way.

 

I have literally no mechanical skills, my extent of building motors knowledge is limited to bolt-ons and minor things. So that kind of rules out doing it my self. and does anyone know what kind of power/torque the auto in third gens will take?

also, ive read that if you go from carb to carb or efi to efi you wouldn't have to change the fuel pump

 

hmmmm

so let's assume a somewhat clean 3rd gen that is in OK shape.$2,000 (they are less when in bad shape)

next, since you don't have mechanical skills but NEED 330HP then you will need someone to do all the work so why not budget $2,000 for labor (if it comes in lower then all the better)

next, you NEED 330HP so you'll need to buy an engine that makes that along with supporting mods (headers/exhaust) so budget in another $4,000 unless you want to buy someone else' used engine with problems (back to no mechanical skills about an engine)

sooooooo


2,000 purchase
2,000 labor
4,000 engine and all incidentals

carry the 0, divide by 0

$8,000


You can get a heck of a lot of car for $8,000 so I suggest you visit cars.com, racingjunk.com, autotrader.com, ebay.com and start searching for a vehicle that has what you NEED

 

building the tpi to handle 350 hp is a bit of a stretch. their componants are very resitrictive in stock form, and are expensive to have ported or replaced with larger ones. i am at $1500 in my efi system alone to support my engine, and its still heavily restricted with even a ported stock intake. it will take another $2000 in supporting parts (new intake, larger headers, fuel pump and new tune) to reach my engine's potential

 

If you live in an area where emissions is not a concern, then you can put in whatever you like. The auto will handle just about anything you throw at it, provided it has been at least re-built. I would agree with one of the above posts; you will spend a few thousand dollars for the motor and all other incidentals (oils, coolant, belts, etc) and then it sounds like you will need to pay for labor as well. Also, there is a period of time after swaps where you will have things that need to be re-tightened and work out any bugs. The suggestion to just buy a car that has what you want (ie 4th gen z or SS), may be the road to go down. Plus, what do you want your car to look like? Is body/paint in the plans?

 

torque is good: I have friends/ family i trust to swap a crate motor in for free/ very cheap, but none that I would trust to build one.
Microkid: I'm not really aiming for giant power and maximizing potential like you appear to be with your motor, Im looking that will be fast but not a race car for the street, My benchmark for speed is my friends 03 mustang gt with intake, headers/catback/bored out cats,4.10 gear and a 5 speed id like to be in that ballpark
djs383: im not really worried about emissions I live in north carolina, i dont know the laws on it here but i know that almost no one follows them, everyone seems to have a garage that will pass it on on inspection without caring about th emissions, And I like the third gen body style how it looks stock, I might get an SS/ ZL1 hood or keep the vented louvres hood that came on Irocs but i had thought about paint alot Im debating white which there are an abundance of around here, or a particular shade of metallic blue that i dont think was offered from the factory, so id need to have it painted

 

i just bought an 86 iroc in primer no rust or dents,for 200$ BOUGHT 350 good runner 600$ added holley single plane and holly 600 cfm 150$,hooker headers with 1 hour on them off craigslist 100$, posi disc brakes off craigslist 150$,new clutch pressure plate kit 200$,paint and essentials 200$ at lordco power drivers seat and non power pass seat 150$ craigslist,bf radial ta's 275-60 r15 and 255-60 r15's like 85% tread craigslist 300$ 1 ball joint 45$ centre link used 50$ did all work myself car handles like a dream goes like hell and looks great,there is more brake lines master cyl,power booster,combo valve,dash pad,power mirrors,brake pads,rocking stereo.[dont tell my wife i told her only half what i bought]