78T/a

Hey Everyone

So I have a 78 trans am, and its time to ditch the old pontiac 400 thats in there. Works good, makes good torque, but it could use a rebuild and I dont think I want to play with the old school stuff anymore. And I just cant deny the fact that I seriously would love some LS power in my 78 Trans Am.

So that leads me to my question of which direction is the best way to go

Option 1

-Junkyard 4.8
-Turbo set-up

Option 2

-Build a N/A 5.7 or 6.0
-New internals

If I had to set a goal for the project, I want 500whp that is livable on the street. Im not sure which one will cost more, which may end up being a determining factor for me. I have never got into any serious mods with LS stuff so im hoping you guys can help point me in the right direction

Thanks
Mike

I8UR4RD

iTrader: (16)

why not a junkyard 6.0 turbo setup!!!!


be sure and read the sticky to be sure this is the route you wanna go before you begin making any kind of purchase. It can help you when deciding these things.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...induction.html

Cronic_Moronic

500 hp that is livable on the street is a stretch for a n/a ls engine that isn't a 400+ ci engine.

Building a turbo JY engine is much cheaper than a rebuild with a stroker crank, new rods, pistons, cam and heads that will flow 500 hp of air.

WSSICK99

boost with a manual 600-700 hp totally street able good Mpg if you stay with efi

78T/a

This is what i was kind of thinking. And I had already been looking at the 400+ ci engine kits and prices sure get up there quick. Id love to be able to build a 400+ engine plus some FI but I was thinking to start with a cheap JY engine and put the money into building a solid turbo set-up, then its just a matter of swapping in a better engine down the road.

LT1RAY

iTrader: (21)

I vote option 1!

78T/a

Haha if one comes up for the right price, id defenetly do a 6.0 build

Ill definitely have to sit down with a beer tonight and read that sticky

78T/a

Dont tempt me lol

dlandsvZ28

Leave your TA as it is and buy a used 98-2002 with a power adder for about the same amount of dollars as it will cost to purchase all of the goodies you will need to upgrade your 78 to 500 rwhp.

ajrothm

Build the 400... Put a Butler stroker kit in it, Ported Edelbrock round port heads, a nice custom hyd roller, make an honest 600 crank hp, run high 10s and drive it anywhere...

DONE...

/Thread...

LOL...


OR.... do the turbo JY LS thing like everyone else and their brother is doing....Make more power and cheaper...Wait for the **** to , then get another JY motor, rince and repeat....



BTW... I grew up in a 78 Trans Am(owned it 9 years) and love them dearly..... I would love to do another one in the future..... My old one ran 11.90s back in the mid 90's with a 400", #16 heads and Ultra Dyne flat tappet and I drove it daily for years.. There was no real aftermarket for Pontiac stuff then, but there damn sure is now.

1BADAZZSS

iTrader: (23)

5.3 would be cheaper to find then 4.8/6.0

78T/a

Yes I would love to a newer TA also, but I currently have two car on the go, and the wife is already at her wits. I just bought a 1993 Eagle Talon TSi AWD so
maybe when im done playing with that, sell it to fund a newer TA

78T/a

Well its funny you say all this, some of you may shoot me when I say this, but I currently have a fresh 600hp 455 sitting in my garage right now But there is a story behind my madness. To keep it short, I need to do some body and frame work in the rear section of the car, and in order to fund it all, I am forced to sell this engine. I have an offer from a local guy who wants to do the work in trade for the engine plus some cash to me, so really no money comes from my side to get the work done, which all seems like a fair deal. Knowing I would eventually need a new engine again is what brought into the realm of LS stuff. Your right that Pontiac engines can make amazing N/A hp and monster torque these days, but the **** is damn expensive to build.

I realize the JY boosted stuff is becoming almost a cookie cutter solution to going fast on a budget these days, but I can understand why its so appealing. Ive been back and forth for the past year with which direction I want to take the car, with still no decision made, becuase either option both have equal pro/cons. Problem is I need to make a decision sooner then later as the guy who wants the motor wants it soon.

HRHohio

I just picked up a 72 Camaro. I'm doing a 5.3 JY Turbo. Using the "Hot Rod Magazine Big Bang Theory" article as my inspiration/guide. I love my turbo setup on my 2002 Camaro. Can't ever see myself going straight N/A again in a performance car. But that's just me.

Wish you the best. We may need to stay in touch and swap notes! LOL Good luck in whatever you decide.

SSZ

Yeah, i am doing a single turbo setup on my 80 Z28 right now. 5.3L JY motor. Starting small with a GT45 ebay turbo. Have the hp tuners already and my fuel system was setup already. Gonna do some more hotside pipe welding likely today. Last week i put in a Futral F13-114 cam and some Brian Tooley springs and pushrods. I have a set of 80 lb injectors still to go in once the turbo is mounted then some tuning. Oh, and a 4L80E trans. All that crap and it is still far less than i spent on the 383 stroker motor i built about seven years ago. Still not running with the turbo on yet though but hopefully will be on within the next week or so. The engine sounds great with the new cam.
I guess i am saying go for the whatever LS engine you can get your hands on and turbo it.

98Z28CobraKiller

iTrader: (17)

When my roller dies, I'm switching my power train to a 2nd gen. I've had 78 and 79 firebirds and my favorite was an 81 Z28.

I vote stock 6.0 + a cheap BW 80+mm T6 to get you started on low boost (600 rwhp). Then you can forge it and turn it up (1100+). You'll have soooooooo much room under that hood once you get the LS motor in there. Shouldn't require much in the way fabrication.

78T/a

Yah Ive seen that article also, big part of why i am interested in doing this. Yah my little turbo talon is what really sold me on the idea, its stock but still a lot of fun. Ive never actually been in a turbo'd v8, a lot of superchargers around here, so other then my buddies 40psi 600awhp, thats the fastest turbo car ive been in, but it wouldnt make anywhere near the torque of a v8 so thats what im looking forward too

78T/a

I will most likely take the same route, I would spend the dollars on the important things, but leave room for upgrades as the money comes. Yah its crazy how building a strong N/a motor is almost becomming the more expensive option

Ebay turbos, are people have luck with these??

78T/a

See this is why its hard to not want into this game. Just a cheap low boost set-up for a nice 600rwhp driver. Sounds like a hell of a good time

Thats another thing, there is tons of space so fabrication becomes very simple. Looking under the hood of a 4th gen id almost be discouraged to even attempt it.

Ive looked at the front mount kits for the trucks and Im wondering if I could make one of those work on my car http://www.trickperformanceproducts...._frontpage.htm

HRHohio

I thought about this for a long time... just sold the SBC 350 that was in there for cheap, just to get it out. Going to keep the TH350 though. Oh, and I'm going to go single turbo too, not twin like the article... gotta save some room for the AC Compressor, somehow... lol