Some Engine and Trans Questions

[84Firebird]

Ok so im lookin around for a used V8 and Trans. Need to know the best combination, and what would fit and drop into my car without any problems. So far Ive found a couple 85/86 Vetts that look promising, dont know anything about them yet, found a 93 4.3L Vortech and 700R4 trans for 500 bucks. Im looking for the best bang for my buck, and something that has alot of aftermarket support. I plan on rebuilding whatever I end up getting from the ground up before just dropping it in the car. But need some of your advice and knowledge on which way to go. This would be my first muscle car, and Im building for Show and plenty of Go. So please any info or contact information, with someone willing to give me a hand in this project would be most appriciated. Thanks.

 

[81 Grand Prix]

350 Chevy is the most common engine on the plant a lot of parts for it.

 

[Goatman]

I would suggest sticking with a 350 cube smallblock of the first generation style thats in your car ..
anything other than that type engine is going to require major mods to get it to work properly ..
you should have a carborated 305 in your car now and replacing it with a stock 350 longblock will give you the best comprimise of power and ease of installation
trying to put a 85/86 vette engine in would work with an aftermarket intake for a carb but using a FI system would be a pain as your car is not set up for FI..
but the longblock will work with few problems, and I would stick with a 700r4 trans if thats what you have now ..if you have a 5 speed you will want to change over to an auto trans as they are not suited to anything other than a stock 305 at best, there are conversion kits for a TH-350 that work well also ..

 

[84Firebird]

Thanks for the help, however I only have the 2.8L V6 with the Borg Warner T-5 Trans. So a V8 Upgrade is a must. I hear ya on the electronics protion though. That is my main goal, 100% old school muscle. No ECU, No Programmers. There was an article in this months HotRod about it