Whats the best bang for buck HP upgrades for a 1980 Trans Am 301 4.9L non turbo motor.

 

You could do the usual power adders- cam, 4bbl carb. The problem withthe 265/301is thatthey arethe 'red-headed stepchildren' of Pontiac V-8s- they're low-deck, so none of the typical performance parts (manifolds, headers, etc.) fit, and they are not known for reliability as well.

I personally would loose it and swap in a built 400- you would notice the difference immediately.

Geno

 

ive heardthe 301 that could possilby get in the 450hp range but is it really worth the time and money to try it?

 

IMO it's a waste of money and time- the 301 is a thinwall casting, and at 450 hp it's a grenade. Get a no.491988 400 block and build your 450 hp Poncho- it will live a long life as long as you balance it and run forged pistons, rods, and put forged s/s valves in the heads.

Geno

 

All muscle cars are naturally aspirated right? There's no way that you can put a turbo on the car! I guess you need to have lighter engine parts like racing pistons too.

pontiac parts

 

Go to a junkyard, get a 455. hone it, put in new rings and bearing, lap the valves

 

I've heard it wasn't hard to break the crank without adding any power. I was told if you don't abuse it you can get up to about 200hp before things go wonky. thin castings coupled with a weak crank made them break easily. Now with a turbo block, crank, ported heads, a modified intake, and cam I've heard that 300hp is possible.