the 76 gets a new drivetrain

[bossvette]

I'm thinking of selling the 76 since I have not driven it in two years but want to keep the TKO for the 68 and with the price of gas have decided to go with a 305 TPI/700r4 set-up. Why a 305 you ask the L-48 that was in 1976 was rated at 180 HP while the optional l-82 was rated at 210 HP and 255 torque the 305 which I'm putting in is from a Firebird GTA which was rated at 230 HP and 300 torque so it will be an improvement in all areas

the 383 ready to pull out this engine was built in 1989 and has many many miles on it with Mobil1

the engine bay got a quick pressure wash and a little spray paint

the hardest part was swapping out the pedals

the 305 has a new home it was rebuilt at some point and the trans has a fresh rebuild so it should be good for quite some time

all these wires need to go in somewhere

I started by laying them out to be sure everything would reach

next the injectors and fuel rail go on

then the runners and plenum are installed

I will make a bracket to hold the relays and main power fuse

 

[Curtis]

looking great so far..

 

[topless82vette]

I think your in for a heartbreak. NO 305 tpi automatic had 230hp .. I believe you are thinking about the G-92 5 speed 305's yes those had 230hp but they also had a 350TPI cam shaft. All the automatics got the peanut cam.

so if you have a automatic based engine get ready for a gut wrenching 190hp.

nice installation though and good luck on the conversion.

 

[bossvette]

I think your in for a heartbreak. NO 305 tpi automatic had 230hp .. I believe you are thinking about the G-92 5 speed 305's yes those had 230hp but they also had a 350TPI cam shaft. All the automatics got the peanut cam.

so if you have a automatic based engine get ready for a gut wrenching 190hp.

nice installation though and good luck on the conversion.

I got the HP and Torque figures from one of the F-body sites the engine was supposed to have been rebuilt and "hopped up" shortly before the crash and is going to be controlled by a later speed density computer; I would expect it to perform as well as a stock set-up. I do know that the 305 TPI set-up in my Old Yellow Truck is more then adequate for it and it gets me about 15 MPG pushing that old yellow brick down the road.

 

[topless82vette]

still a nice tpi swap though, I want to ditch my CFI in favor of TPI as well. You should toss some vette magnesium valve covers on it though.

 

[bossvette]

still a nice tpi swap though, I want to ditch my CFI in favor of TPI as well. You should toss some vette magnesium valve covers on it though.

thats the easiest swap of all; you already have an in tank pump and lines.

 

[Mac]

Looking good, Craig!

-Mac

 

[bossvette]

made a bracket to mount the relays and main power fuse and mounted them

Mounted the computer in the passenger side behind the dash pad and finished most of the inside wiring. the fuel pump feed (Gray wire) I may take directly from the relay in the engine compartment and run it down the frame instead of coming from where it is now.

I still need to make a small bracket to hold the computer better going from the stud on the computer to the nutsert in the heaterbox not a real lot of progress this weekend for the hours spent working behind the dash is a real PITA for someone my size I had put the drivers side back together then realized I had to wire up the TCC brake switch and the switched power to the computer :bash

 

[topless82vette]

You planning on running a electric cooling fan? And did you make this harness cause I have a 90-92 harness and yours has extra wires by the ecm connectors that mine doest have and what do you mean by the main fuse? That fuse holder is on my harness but its for the fans itself.

I have a nice polished tpi system for mine but its a toss up between that or my polished CFI system. I like the looks though more with my polished air cleaner housing for the CFI.

I'm not overly concerned with performance though I am more for looks in my engine compartment so it's really a toss-up for me in that aspect.

 

[KANE]

made a bracket to mount the relays and main power fuse and mounted them

Mounted the computer in the passenger side behind the dash pad and finished most of the inside wiring. the fuel pump feed (Gray wire) I may take directly from the relay in the engine compartment and run it down the frame instead of coming from where it is now.

I still need to make a small bracket to hold the computer better going from the stud on the computer to the nutsert in the heaterbox not a real lot of progress this weekend for the hours spent working behind the dash is a real PITA for someone my size I had put the drivers side back together then realized I had to wire up the TCC brake switch and the switched power to the computer :bash

Craig- I mounted my computer below the radio right behind the HVAC controls. I took this pic almost two years ago before the rugs and seats were replaced. Here is the location for my ECM-

My relays sit on the tranny tunnel floorboard on the passenger side. I used the OEM HVAC grommet location on the firewall to pass the harness into the interior.

 

[bossvette]

You planning on running a electric cooling fan?

yes there is a provision for an electric fan

And did you make this harness

no it was purchased from an Ebay seller who modifies stock harnesses to fit the buyers needs its the second one I have used.

Craig- I mounted my computer below the radio right behind the HVAC controls. I took this pic almost two years ago before the rugs and seats were replaced. Here is the location for my ECM-

Nice but for some reason it looks like you have more room there then I do

 

[topless82vette]

any updates on this?

 

[bossvette]

any updates on this?

Its on the back burner till next week I have a big Wedding to attend in NYC this weekend. I was waiting until I get the interior stuff done to take more pictures.