301 Turbo - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

02-26-2007, 06:34 AM

Now I have really been debating this. I realize I should get a 301 Turbo to get my car original and For value. But as a daily driver and just chillin, I know the 350 has more power than the 301. If i should get the 301, Where could i get one? I know I could look for a 79-81 firebird but is there any other models that had it? how much am i lookin to spend on it? Should I jsut stick with the 350 power-wise?

maroman88 · 02-26-2007, 09:25 AM

slap a turbo on the 350

ive never seen another car with a 301, maybe a buick or olds er sumthin?

GP99GT · 02-26-2007, 09:27 AM

is this a serious question?

Untamed · 02-26-2007, 09:30 AM

Daily driving would have more need for gas milage than power. If you don't plan to race the car, don't worry about racing grandmothers from one light to the next, and truly want to increase the value of the car for eventual sale, then go for the 301.

The problem there is twofold:

1. Finding a 301, with turbo, in good enough shape to rebuild
2. Finding enough knowledgable help about the 301 when it comes time to rebuild it (along with the turbo).

Personally I would love to have an 80-81 TTA, with the correct powerplant, even if it ran below 200 hp.

WildBillyT · 02-26-2007, 09:42 AM

If you don't have the original motor, I probably wouldn't bother.

I'd turbo another poncho motor (455) and make it look the same.

02-26-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP99GT

is this a serious question?

whats the problem?

GP99GT · 02-26-2007, 11:48 AM

301 turbo FTL. i say if you dont have the original matching motor, just keep what youve got or even go bigger

WayFast84 · 02-26-2007, 02:25 PM

heres what you do, Save the car, dont sell it, Save your money for a 301 Then you can go from there, One day its gonna be worth alot. Or You can drive it, but verry limited and baby it, dont mess it up, and get a turbo buick. that would be awsome.

enRo · 02-26-2007, 02:56 PM

A 301 Turbo has got to be THEE slowest turboed engine ever made. Its a dog. And I agree with GP matt, if you dont have the original motor, go bigger. You will realize once u put in a 301 Turbo, you are gonna regret it.. IIRC, a Ford Fiesta is faster than a 301 Turbo TA.

NJSPEEDER · 02-26-2007, 03:05 PM

it sounds like you guys have a lot fo misinformation about the turbo 301 engines. it was underpowered from the factory, but that had more to do with crap casting than the application itself.
301 heads often look like they were cast by a 2nd grader using playdoh. if you find a turbo motor, just clean up the heads, intake, and turbo manifold a bit and you will see a serious gain in power.
the t301's are also extremely drivable engines. they have mild street manners, get 20+ mpg easily, and last a very very long time.
the biggest thing that held back the original turbo 301 was very very low boost. they softened up the motor a ton to try to make a cool turbo motor, but forgot to add any real boost to take advantage of it. the system was rated at 6psi, but tons of people are only seeing about 4psi from OE wastegates.
the biggest draw back to the 301 is that the parts interchange with other poncho pieces is minimal. the heads and block use a unique bolt pattern that prevents the use of better flowing heads.
people ahve built T301's to 500+ hp before, and it doesn't take breaking the bank to get there. a little clean up work on the top end, a cam, turbo upgrade, and switching to a better carb will add a ton of power.

GP99GT · 02-26-2007, 03:53 PM

but if hes putting an original motor in to make the car worth more....modding it is going to drop the value.

WildBillyT · 02-26-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

it sounds like you guys have a lot fo misinformation about the turbo 301 engines. it was underpowered from the factory, but that had more to do with crap casting than the application itself.
301 heads often look like they were cast by a 2nd grader using playdoh. if you find a turbo motor, just clean up the heads, intake, and turbo manifold a bit and you will see a serious gain in power.
the t301's are also extremely drivable engines. they have mild street manners, get 20+ mpg easily, and last a very very long time.
the biggest thing that held back the original turbo 301 was very very low boost. they softened up the motor a ton to try to make a cool turbo motor, but forgot to add any real boost to take advantage of it. the system was rated at 6psi, but tons of people are only seeing about 4psi from OE wastegates.
the biggest draw back to the 301 is that the parts interchange with other poncho pieces is minimal. the heads and block use a unique bolt pattern that prevents the use of better flowing heads.
people ahve built T301's to 500+ hp before, and it doesn't take breaking the bank to get there. a little clean up work on the top end, a cam, turbo upgrade, and switching to a better carb will add a ton of power.

How do you address the inherent weakness in the block (thin walled casting)?

NJSPEEDER · 02-26-2007, 04:24 PM

from what i have seen, a proper rebuild with the bottom end computer balanced is plenty to keep it together and happy for a very long time. the heads don't flow enough to rev the thing really high anyway, so stick to 5500ish or less as a shift point and it will last for years.

BonzoHansen · 02-26-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP99GT

but if hes putting an original motor in to make the car worth more....modding it is going to drop the value.

Since it isn't the true original engine, just original type, making internal improvements will not hurt resale.

Turbo LS1.....

DieselKickYoAss4Sure · 02-26-2007, 07:06 PM

yeah nothing is gonna change the value at this point cus its not the OG 301 but yeah bonzo and i think kinda the same Turbo Ls1 that biatch

BonzoHansen · 02-26-2007, 07:16 PM

I will say this: Do what you want, it is your car. If you want a 301T, then do it!

NJSPEEDER · 02-26-2007, 07:22 PM

i would rather have the unique motor than the same one as everyone else. not like the intention is to build a race car. for street power, have fun with it and put in whatver motor you think will be coolest.

DieselKickYoAss4Sure · 02-26-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

i would rather have the unique motor than the same one as everyone else. not like the intention is to build a race car. for street power, have fun with it and put in whatver motor you think will be coolest.

Yeah you Right my burdda!

Savage_Messiah · 02-26-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

i would rather have the unique motor than the same one as everyone else. not like the intention is to build a race car. for street power, have fun with it and put in whatver motor you think will be coolest.

02-27-2007, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

i would rather have the unique motor than the same one as everyone else. not like the intention is to build a race car. for street power, have fun with it and put in whatver motor you think will be coolest.

I want the 301 in it jsut to keep it somewhat original. And if it egts the 20+ mpg, thats another good sign. thanks for the input.

Batman · 02-27-2007, 06:53 AM

Turbo LS1 = $10,000 worth of additional mods to the car to make it survive. My opinion is the poncho motors are a dying breed (sad because they are probably the best of that era). Whatever you decide has to be what you want, not all us knuckleheads. But if you want my opinion, if you can get the 301 that is the way I would go, if not then the only APPROPRIATE engines for a 2nd Gen T/A is a Pontiac 400 or an SD 455.