[JUDGE3]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

I think you will find time spent on a site like ls1tech.com more beneficial than here for that task. Depending on the power you may find a LS3 more inline with what you want - certainly simpler than plumbing for a turbo.

Thanks scarebird, the goal is to keep it a Turbocharged car though.

Iv'e since found "TTA PERFORMANCE" having a lot of the Turbo 301 parts and services. many are nice mods. was surprised they dyno tested a 301 rebuild to 354hp @ 4500rpm and 511 lb/ft torque @ 3,000 rpm. I'm not even after that much. just an improvement to the 301 will be fine with me. prefer to keep it pontiac.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by JUDGE3

Thanks scarebird, the goal is to keep it a Turbocharged car though.

Iv'e since found "TTA PERFORMANCE" having a lot of the Turbo 301 parts and services. many are nice mods. was surprised they dyno tested a 301 rebuild to 354hp @ 4500rpm and 511 lb/ft torque @ 3,000 rpm. I'm not even after that much. just an improvement to the 301 will be fine with me. prefer to keep it pontiac.

My primary automotive engineering professor at GMI was Jim Lyons, the guy who later headed up the turbo 301 development at Pontiac. The weak link in the engine is the crankshaft with the "safe" limits being under 280 HP and 425 Lb Ft of torque for the stock unit. Anything above that and you could expect to bend the crank or develop cracks at the flexplate flange. After I graduated, some students managed to get a billet crank engine with forged internals for development purposes (of course), and were pushing it to 500 HP. That crank had counterweights though.

[JUDGE3]

Nice info.

having had a 301 TA new in 1980, I know about that front/rear counterweight only weak crank for sure. quick story: upon going to the dealer to pick up my ordered 1980, it was up on the lift, oil pan off, crank out and rods hanging down. at 18 I was crushed. seems they also had a known bearing problem. dealer put new bearings in it, never had a single problem with it.

so I believe the 77-78 Trans Ams had 200 to 220 hp brand new stock?

my goal would be 240-250hp. would be fun to "shock" a stock 77 or 78 TA and have em see taillights to a 301 turbo car.