92 camaro

I have a stock 92 camaro and I wanted to know how can [I get around 350 to 400 hp but not have to constantly pour money into it and get good gas mileage this is my everyday car but  once I buy a new vehicle I want to be able to make it a full hot rod with the engine I put in it I've been told just a stock 350 with mild cam but CPU won't read so what do I do people say 305 isn't a good engine it an RS by the way and tune port injected  

1) For reliability and gas mileage it is hard to beat a crate LS1 or LS6 (like in our STi Killer project). If you have the extra money to spend an LS3 or LS376 would also be great. Check out our story with Hawks Third Gen on how to convert your car over.

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/lsx_engine/1008gmhtp_ls1_engine_swap/index.html


2) You can also look into building up your TPI, though as you said, tuning could be an issue. EFI Connections has an LS1 PCM swap we covered to aid the process (see below). With a good intake, healthy but not overly-lumpy cam, good set of heads (check out AirFlow Research), and mild rebuild 400hp should be no problem.

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/tpi_engine/1002gmhtp_efi_connections_ls1_pcm_ignition_conversion/index.html


3) You can look into doing an LT1 swap, as we did on our project Snowball. I'd think going this route (versus the previous two I mentioned), while using a factory OBD I PCM, would be the most economical and you could easily make over 400hp. With what most LT1 owners would call a small cam, we made 459hp on an engine dyno with out of the box Dart heads and a rebuilt stock bottom end. For a daily driver, I'd highly recommend this cam and setup as was the project goal/intentions of my LT1 Formula.

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0903gmhtp_355_lt1_dart_cylinder_head_comp_cams_camshaft_roller_rocker_upgrade/index.html

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/tech/0409htp_lt1_fuel_system_modification_third_gen_use/index.html  

yeah but the problem is *** how much would that cost I'm trying to do one thing at a time I got around $3,000 to spend on motor maybe a little more including plugs wires&all I would like to have everything on the motor when its purchased like I said I'm not planing on draging for a while I just really want a dependable vehicle that is going to start every time&that runs good sounds nice but I'm able to upgrade here and there and have a little fun I know $3000 isn't much but I'm broke what can I say this is same guy with 92 camaro by the way just forgot password so created new account  

+1 on what Scott said above about the LT1- except about keeping the stock ECM. Tuners that have the chip burning machines, CHIPS TO BURN, and the hard earned skill to do it right the first time area nearly gone. Couple more years there probably wont be any left (chips or old school tuners still in business).  BTW Scott: you know anyone who has some chips lying around? Could use a few.

If you plan on keeping it tuned port: Save your money and buy a '98-'02 LS1 Fbody. Then on that LS1 go headers, off road Y pipe, lid, LS6 intake (last couple years had it already) and a nice cam. That will put you in the 380-400rwhp range.  

I'm not a TPI hater, but facts are facts: it's expensive, very time consuming, and even more frustrating trying to find parts/tuners that deal with TPI/and general info on doing what you want, on top of the fact that you are dealing with an old platform that is a royal PITA to work on, troubleshoot, and update. Trust me, I've probably got... hmm... 600+hrs? wrenching on mostly MAFL98's (yours is a MAP car). Engine swaps, head/cam/intake upgrades, etc etc.  

First and Foremost get a LS1 PCM conversion. Trust me, even if you are the poorest carguy to walk the planet, you want to go too a system that does not rely on burning chips to tune. Especially if you are the poorest car guy on the planet- chips are expensive nowadays since the stock of chips is running dry with no one making more!

That being said, here's my cheap route to 300rwhp using a vette or 3rd gen Fbody roller cam TPI 5.7L engine with stock heads:

Holley Stealth Ram intake w/TPI fuel rail kit, MATCHED cam, SLP headers & catback, 1.6 roller rockers, TPIS fuel pressure gauge set to 42-45psi, MSD 6A or better ignition, K&N air filter, trans cooler if auto/ good clutch if manual, then a reputable tuner to make it all work. If you are stubborn and ignored my instructions to upgrade the PCM, now you get to spend countless hours trying to find these two things: a tuner who was around 15+ years ago and still has his old tunes that he can use to burn onto the chips, and then you will need to beg, bribe, or steal the chips to burn(you will need at least a couple by the time its all said and done). Then give that tuner $500-$1000 to get a great tune.

400rwhp: all the above + aftermarket fuel pump, aftermarket cast iron or alum heads, bigger MATCHED cam. Then good luck getting it running right.

You could also go forced induction?  MUCH simpler way to hit your power numbers and keep tuning issues in check.  
'05 GTO: 3600 stall, Comp Cams, L92 heads, etc. etc.

'06 ZX14: lots a mods