89 firebird, which engine?

[duke15]

i have a 1989 firebird with a 305, what size engine should i put in it? i want to build 500 to 600 hp,and have a street strip car

[SmokeyLines]

Get a 383 stroker for it. It'll be streetable for sure and you can easily make it a weekend strip car. Just buy some M/T rears for the track.

[95Z]

What is your budget? Want to keep it FI or go carb? Does it need to be street legal?

[duke15]

budget for engine is $2,000 i want it street legal, and i want it carb

[95Z]

Budget 355 build with forged pistons and some spray, its going to be hard to get 500-600 hp for $2k especially if starting from scratch (block + rotating assembly).

[duke15]

i was thinking twin turbo setup

[95Z]

For under $2k? Or do you mean just to build the shortblock for under $2k and use the 305 block?

[duke15]

i have an lt1 bare block that ill problyuse, just ad some forged internals and keep compression low,and make a custom twin turbo, my question is shouldc i go with the lt1 or go big block?

[95Z]

Well I'd say LT1 for several reasons, 1. I'm bias, 2. You already have it so it will fit into your budget better and the parts are cheaper for it than most BBC stuff.

If you go LT1 you could prob get away with using the stock crank and heads too, I'd go BBC if keeping it NA, but with all the turbo piping you are going to start to get pressed for room under the hood.

[five7kid]

If you use the LT1 block, build an LT1. Forget the carb stuff.

$2000 won't get you a reliable shortblock for a 500 HP engine. For $2000, you'd better shoot for more like 400 HP. You might be able to spray that for 500+, but you'd be on the ragged edge.

My rule of thumb is, "Budget as much to handle the power as you have for making the power." A $2000 budget will buy you $1000 worth of power.

[96lt1m6]

2000.00 barely pays for rods,crank and pistons that will take that kind of power or goooood heads and cam. you still need plenty other componets and tunning.
Now with that being said, check this link and you may just go a different route http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-modifications/1043511-gm-stock-shortblock-heads-cam-10s-na-9s-n2o.html

[usetaboost]

I'm thinking some turbo buick power:lol: Can get nearly everything you need for 2k

[five7kid]

Not 500 HP for $2000. It would still cost you another $4k to handle the 500 HP.