01formula6

iTrader: (7)

Even the 305 TPI's can be made to run decent. My 92 was a 305 TPI with an auto trans and 2.73 rear. Bone stock it ran 15.5@88, completely pathetic. BUT, with a 3.42 rear (which the 5 spds have stock), SLP catback, and a ported intake and TB it ran a 14.4@97 which is pretty respectable for a 305. I raced my friends LT1 car numerous times and from a stop and would stay within 1 to 2 cars of him until 60 mph.

Chadder

iTrader: (2)

So I guess my old v6 and a bunch of my buddie's v6's dont count as beating the **** out of mostly stock 305's. They have alot of torque, sure, so they launch a little better than your average v6, but even in v6 terms, the 305 is a DOG up top... I ran a '88 305 z28 from a 60 roll and I took him by a good 5 cars or so up to 110. I say 98-02 v6, and that still leaves you the option of doing the LS1 swap in the future. (I'm pretty sure the 6 will have cheaper insurance also, mine was only ~165/mo @ 17yrs old w/2 tickets) Now the 350 is a completely different story.

In all honesty, I say go for an LS1 in the first place though.

UCABlackChevy

iTrader: (10)

Allright he went and checked the 92T/A out and called me, it is a TBI 305 with 107000 miles, I know first hand how bad TBI sucks cause my DD is a 91 Silverado w/TBI 350. I figure a V6 4th gen could outdo a L03. They are wanting 4,000 for the T/A which can probably be brought down I was thinkin that was too much perhaps?

01formula6

iTrader: (7)

It doesn't matter what the price is, please stay away from the TBI engine. That V6 you are looking at will walk all over a TBI car. TPI at least gives you a decent starting point to build on. If you want the 3rd gen car keep looking and you will find a TPI car for that 4K price tag.

Bradygoodz

Buy the third gen,drive it, build a motor for it ex. SBC/carb=cheap.A V6 F BODY is not a performance car, I own one,its a cool looking gas saver! it would cost so much more to buy a newer v6 and then buying a ls1+ tranny,computer,suspension etc. to swap it, or even modding a v6 is costly and stupid?????? Does he know that you can find LT1 cars for dirt cheap now?? some are priced for as much as third gens would be,and is a much better platform to build from!

kyle91z28

iTrader: (1)

It's a completely different story if the 305 of an automatic. I'm saying 5-speed 305 TPI's run mid -high 14's on a regular basis if they are well-maintained. 240-250 horsepower isnt very low horsepower either especially when its grouped with 340-350 torque.

Even if you did take a 305 from a 60 roll, what kind of race is that anyways? It's actually quite easy to get a well maintained 89-92 L98 into the 13's. Gears/full exhaust/tires and you are in 13s...

5-speed LB9(305 tpi) isn't a slouch either. With full exhaust/air intake you can hit mid 14's maybe even low 14's, and though that isn't the fastest thing on the block, it's still a lot of fun to drive.

L98 is by no means as good as an LT1 or LS1, but they can still hold their own down low and in 1/8 mile tracks. 1/4 mile is a different story.

fastfbody

iTrader: (5)

chances are you where raceing one of these
LG4 V8 8.6:1 5.0 (305) 145@4000 240@2000 ( completely slow)
L69 V8 9.5:1 5.0 (305) 190@4800 240@3200 4bbl HO (still slow)
LO3 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 170@4000 255@2400 TBI (super slow)

these 305 are weak and a old man on a bike with a flat tire could beat them.
the motors below are a differnt story

from the 1987 L98 V8 9.3:1 5.7 (350) 225@4400 330@2800 TPI
to the 92 L98 V8 9.3:1 5.7 (350) 245@4400 345@3200
from the 85 LB9 V8 9.5:1 5.0 (305) 215@4400 275@3200
to the 92 LB9 V8 9.3:1 5.0 (305) 230@4200 300@3200

if you where raceing these you would have seen nothing but tail lights
you v6 f-body stock for stock would not have any chance

stay away from a lo3 ta (super slow) 4,000 is way to high i sold my 1987 irocz L98 with only 68k with some sweet modds for $4,500

Chadder

iTrader: (2)

I probably did run one of those less powerful 305's. How common is a well maintained LB9 anyways? You would have more luck finding a Cyclone.

Oh, kyle91z28, Let's not get on the "stupidity of building up a v6" topic.

kyle91z28

iTrader: (1)

Not very hard finding a well maintained LB9, 2 of my friends have bought mint condition ones in the past year. One ran a 14.9(auto) and the manual ran a 14.69 stock. Not too bad for that old of a car. Not to mention they still own mustangs I mean ****, my friends lightly modded 305 5-speed destroys 96-98 mustang GT's. My other friend has a 96 mustang GT and i've been with him when he raced a a 98-02 v6 camaro and he still took him with no problems and all he has is blowmaster lol.

By any means im not saying 96-98 GTs are fast LOL. But i'm just trying to find a car comparable to 98-02 V6's.

fastfbody

iTrader: (5)

finding a mint good running lb9 is about as easy as going to thirdgen.org thats where i got my iroc from.heres a pic. i paid $4,000

Chadder

iTrader: (2)

Touche sirs, touche!

Hoss Ghoul

iTrader: (2)

Absolutely nothing wrong with a TBI third gen. Very reliable, economical, and extremely easy to maintain.

I may have missed where his friend was looking for all out performance as this argument has somehow become.

If he's looking for an affordable, reliable, cheap to maintain auto any good conditioned/well maintained 3rd gen will provide that, as will a V6 4th gen.

Hoss Ghoul

iTrader: (2)

Also, just to add to what's been said above in terms of performance.

Get a 5.7 in the third gen. You can make good power for cheap with that engine. The 305TPI is also a good option, and the only one if your friend wants a manual transmission. Either car is capable of 13's with minor mods.

A 350 with an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, cat back, cold air intake, TBfoil, and a chip will be quite fast, especially with a set of 3.73's.

Justin00SS

iTrader: (5)

I don't know about you guys but I used to have a 2000 auto v6 stang and I owned a 1992 RS 305.

My stang was a good bit faster. I looked up the specs on my 1992 and it listed at 170hp and 230tq. My mustang with a 3.8L v6 listed at 190hp and 220tq.

Hell I remember embarassing a guy at school with an 80s model Trans Am.

3.8L ford/ 3800 GM > stock 305 TBI

darrensls1

Bottom line is they will both be slow so just get which ever one you like the looks of best. Personally, I might be tempted to look for later model V6 Firebird with an M5 tranny (rare but they are out there), convertible (or at least T-Tops) and in any color you fancy. Won't be the fastest thing on the road but will sure be alot of fun to cruise around in on warm and sunny days

angel71rs

I'm not sure about the economical part. I remember reading an article in Super Chevy when the TBIs 1st came out on Fbods. They swapped it out in favor of a Holley dual plane intake/600 cfm carb. MPG and HP both went up nicely. I don't remember the #s, but it was well worth the cost. They had a picture of the inside of the TBI intake that showed a bunch of fuel puddled in low spots, looked like a result of poor design to me.

If I had a TBI and lived in an area where they didn't check for the presence of original emissions equipment, I'd immediately chuck the TBI in favor of a carb setup.

Too high. You can buy TPI vehicles in good condition for that. If the vehicle is in excellent condition, offer 3,000 and pop a carb on it so it's performance is respectable. Don't forget to regulate the fuel pressure down unless you enjoy engine fires.

fastfbody

iTrader: (5)

you dont want 3.73 with a low-reving motor like a l98 you would zip threw your power band way to fast. a l98 only makes power until 4500rpms then your just reving for the hell of it.GM said that the ideal rear diff was the 3.27 used in the 9-bolt rears.there where some 3.73 lb9 t5 combos witch worked out good.


he does not need to pay 4,000 for a lo3 ta end of story.there vaule is very low vaule.also THEY DID NOT MAKE A LO3 TRANS AM IN 1992. there where only lb9 and l98s made meaning its more then likey a plain jane firebird.

Justin00SS

iTrader: (5)

My 1992 RS 305 tbi routinely got 25+ mpg with the a4 and whatever rear end they had.

fastfbody

iTrader: (5)

my 1992 rs 305 tbi auto had 2.73 drums rear .didnt get anywhere near that kind of gas i would say about 20mpg on its best day in perfect tune.before you say your car must not have been working right note i was a 3rd gen f-body freak for a long time.thats the reason i happen to no a good bit about them.not because i went and read about them because i have owned a lo3,lg4 and a l98.

Justin00SS

iTrader: (5)

I got like 10mpg before changing an 02 sensor. 25+ was on the freeway. 70mph I was only turning maybe 1700-2000rpms. Which is mainly what I drove.

Around town I would say in the 19-22 range. I was easy on it because it was slow. I didn't see a point in trying to go fast. It was pointless and especially in Cali with the bike cops all over the place.

Edit: I just got to thinking about that car and I called the guy I sold it to to ask him about it. He took it to the track a few months ago and ran a 14.7.

Maybe it had a cam in it. I know it was rebuilt once before I bought it.