I am looking at a 5.7 liter engine out of a 1995 Pontiac Formula Firebird. I want to put it in a 1979 Camaro Sports Coupe that came with a 305 ( I just rebuilt it), Is it worth it, he wants $1600 for both engine and trans. Motor seems to run very well. He started it up and ran it......

thats 4spd auto or 6spd man. correct? Doesent sound bad but you'll need computer, harnesses, upgraded fuel delivery system.

I have seen LT1's with 4l60e's attached go for around $800, 6 speeds close to the price your talking about, maybe a little less if you look hard enough.
I've been researching the same for my '70, but now I'm thinking I'll wait until the LS1's come down a little and go that route.

Thanks for the reply. The engine has about 99K on it, and its an automatic. I know standards are the way to go for performance, but I DRIVE this car everyday and I want the convenience. The engine will include ALL harnesses, alternator, A/C stuff, pwr steering pump, etv. Has anyone else done this swap, seems to be pretty staight foreward as far as engine mounts go. I know will have to modify trans crossmember and shorten drive shaft, but are there any other major changes? Thanks.

Oh Yea.......why would I have to upgrade fuel delivery system?? I know the optispark has its problems, but as I understand it, GM resolved the issue in 95 by modifying the distributor. Also, I know the TPI is a "second generation". As I understand. the TPI doesnt have runners or they are not quite as long as to prevent air/gas leaks. Is there something wrong with it that it would need an upgrade?

This site is helpful, I have it bookmarked.
http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html

And you want the vented opti, which came in 95-96 F cars or 94-96 B car.

As far as fuel delivery, you'll need a pump to keep up with the EFI, I think it requires over 40 PSI.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by bigkidlou:
Oh Yea.......why would I have to upgrade fuel delivery system??</font>You need to completely redo the fuel system in your '79.
That means extensive tank modifcations including a sump, internal baffling, and an electric fuel pump capable of supplying the volume the LT1 demands. You'll have to run new lines from the fuel tank to the engine, route electrical power back to the new electric fuel pump, mount an EFI-compatible fuel filter, and update the evaporative emissions system.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by bigkidlou:
Also, I know the TPI is a "second generation". As I understand. the TPI doesnt have runners or they are not quite as long as to prevent air/gas leaks. </font>The LT1 that would be in a '95 F-body is a Gen II small block Chevy (includuing LT1 & LT4 engines, and some others used in B-bodies). This means that the whole engine (not just the fuel injection system) has extensive design changes compared not only to TPI engines, but to all small blocks since 1955. The newer LS1 & LS6 engines and the new Vortec truck engines since '99 are Gen III, meaning another redesigned engine family.

The Tuned Port Injection engines had those long runners to litereally "tune" the power at a specific low- to mid-rpm range. The LT1 has short intake runners that give that engine flow benefits at high rpm.

The tubular runners on TPI engines are made that way because it was probably cheaper than casting the whole intake out of aluminum with those long runners. The LT1 engine has intake runners cast into the manifold because they're fairly short. Any potential leakage redution would have been a secondary consideration.

[This message has been edited by Wasp Major (edited August 27, 2005).]