what do i do with this '85 Trans Am?
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
what do i do with this '85 Trans Am? a friend of mine might give me this POS 85(?) Trans Am
it has a crappy *** 5.0 motor he claims is "high output"
and is leaking everything from everywhere.
also, the trans doesnt shift into 2nd or is it 3rd,
but thats just a cable, he says.
BUT he says, its got 3.73's
and its carburated
which he says is better for that 5.0HO motor (wtf?)
is it worth it to make it work?
what engine can i get for cheap that makes decent power?
my wife says if it isnt 300+ hp, that i will drive it,
and the T/A will be confiscated.
i was thinking LT1,
but i dont know where to ask this except for here
are they cheap?
are the go-fast parts cheap?
do they have potential?
what are my other options?
at least she likes the sound of the LT1
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 33
From: Anderson, Indiana
Re: what do i do with this '85 Trans Am? An LT1 is basically a bolt in where a regular SBC was. Cheap is a relative term; they're cheaper than LS1's and make less power, but an LT1 is a lot more powerful than what you have now.
If the car is free, spend a little more on an LS1 engine so it runs like this:
If the car is free, spend a little more on an LS1 engine so it runs like this:
__________________
91 Z28 LS2 408CI, LS9 Supercharger, LPE GT7 cam, Yank3000, 3450 raceweight.
Latest numbers: 9.71 ET, 141.42 MPH, 1.40 60' , 610 RWHP Mustang Dyno
www.speartech.com
91 Z28 LS2 408CI, LS9 Supercharger, LPE GT7 cam, Yank3000, 3450 raceweight.
Latest numbers: 9.71 ET, 141.42 MPH, 1.40 60' , 610 RWHP Mustang Dyno
www.speartech.com
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, IL.
Re: what do i do with this '85 Trans Am? LT1's and LS1 are nice " high tech" options but if budget is the big concern maybe not the right choice. A gen 1 SBC may be a better choice. A regular SBC is a lot cheaper to build, and can be made to get just as much power. There are allot of crate drop in options for that car, or you could build your own through summit or jegs, but that could get expensive too. I don't think we are allowed to direct you to other forums. 
I have a few good fbody links if you want to PM me
I have a few good fbody links if you want to PM me Re: what do i do with this '85 Trans Am? Those old TPI systems ran out of air at 4400 RPM. Just trash the old 5.0 and find a good 5.7 block with vortec heads (or AFR's) and a halfway decent roller cam, headers, Edelbrock RPM manifold, Holley 750. Go kill a few stangs.
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
Re: what do i do with this '85 Trans Am? so i can just drop in ANY GM 350?
old school or lt1 / ls1?
any idea where to look?
is the block all i need?
will i need a "wiring harness" or something?
(i notice you conversion guys talk about that)
will it match up to the trans?
=\
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, IL.
Re: what do i do with this '85 Trans Am? I just saw you are from CA. That makes it a little harder it has to be from that year car or newer, and has to have all the emissions stuff that the new engine came with. There is more to it too but I am not up on it. Being from CA I don't think you can go back to carburetor. But no reason you can't put in a fuel injected l98 with cats. You need to look for a pull out 350 from your year car or newer. The new engine should come with a harness. I wonder if a ramjet is legal or not in your state???? maybe some CA guys can give you some input. I know that is the hardest state to do engine swaps in.
it has to be from that year car or newer, and has to have all the emissions stuff that the new engine came with. There is more to it too but I am not up on it. Being from CA I don't think you can go back to carburetor. But no reason you can't put in a fuel injected l98 with cats. You need to look for a pull out 350 from your year car or newer. The new engine should come with a harness. I wonder if a ramjet is legal or not in your state???? maybe some CA guys can give you some input. I know that is the hardest state to do engine swaps in. Trending Topics
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
lets not worry about the legalities
we'll just assume this will be an "off-road" vehicle
so can anyone PM me with some linx to drop in crates?
i want to see what there is out there..
but she's stuck on the lt1 cause of sound, low-end and cost
(compared to the ls)
and fuel injection, too.
we'll just assume this will be an "off-road" vehicle
so can anyone PM me with some linx to drop in crates?
i want to see what there is out there..
but she's stuck on the lt1 cause of sound, low-end and cost
(compared to the ls)
and fuel injection, too.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 321
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From: Woodstock, IL.
Here is a good place to start it is sdpc http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...tart&catid=120
one of the sponcers. Any gm performance parts dealer will offer these. They are all pretty competitive. Good choices are 350 HO, 350 HO deluxe, zz4, fast burn 350, ram jet and on up. You will notice as the horse power goes up so does the price. You will pay more for the ones with aluminum heads and four bolt mains too. Most of these don't come with a carb so you will have to add that to it. You can look through summit or jegs for that.
one of the sponcers. Any gm performance parts dealer will offer these. They are all pretty competitive. Good choices are 350 HO, 350 HO deluxe, zz4, fast burn 350, ram jet and on up. You will notice as the horse power goes up so does the price. You will pay more for the ones with aluminum heads and four bolt mains too. Most of these don't come with a carb so you will have to add that to it. You can look through summit or jegs for that.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Stone0fFire
lets not worry about the legalities
we'll just assume this will be an "off-road" vehicle
so can anyone PM me with some linx to drop in crates?
i want to see what there is out there..
but she's stuck on the lt1 cause of sound, low-end and cost
(compared to the ls)
and fuel injection, too.
we'll just assume this will be an "off-road" vehicle
so can anyone PM me with some linx to drop in crates?
i want to see what there is out there..
but she's stuck on the lt1 cause of sound, low-end and cost
(compared to the ls)
and fuel injection, too.
http://www.microcomputerworld.com/dy...om/contact.asp
Last edited by LS1silvy; Oct 26, 2003 at 12:32 PM.
