new guy with hopes butneeds guidance

[gassman12001]

Hi folks,

Was out looking for car help came across this site. Looks great. Anyway, I have an 89 Firebird formula. 350 TBI engine (not original got it that way). The other owner mixed things up. I have no clue about TBI. Speedometer dont work. (electric) Manual Trans. The car is in good overall shape though. I want to start increasing the performance and horsepower. I have no idea how to start. Well thats it. thanks. talk to ya soon.

[Matt167]

Well, if your not shure on a few things, get some books that cover 350 TBI's, even though people say stay away from haynes and chiltons, chances are the book you need is available at napa. it sounds as though, the speedometer is not hooked up right. You want hi- po, you have an '89 so you may need the FI system to pass the knox testing, but upgrade to a MPFI system available through summit racing, a cam. and a set of headders. If you want to rid yourself of the computer, and run a carb, you need a carb manifold for '87-'95 Blocks, and you may want to get a painless wiring harness for your car, sounds like yours is a little messed up possibly. If the dude b4 you, swapped a 350 in where the 305 was, and used the 305 TBI setup, it's deffinetly in need of a new manifold as the injector port sizes are diffrent between the 305 TBI's and the 350 TBI's.

[gassman12001]

thank for your help. i'll start with the books. you're right the harness was/is a mess. corroded grounds etc. car was shutting down in the middle of road.good news it does have headers, 3 inch pipes, performance clutch, 1st gear is sluggish feels like im trying to start in 2nd. if that makes sense. anyway happy to be here you all will be hearing from me. thanks again