ShawnG said:That 2.8 V6 is the absolute worst engine. P
Hey you hurt my S-10s feelings! 
Funny for decades I never liked the styling of Pontiacs with the exception of the Smokey car but now I'm cool with all gens including the last.
Looking at the 'found' condition of Not A TAs car I can tell you there is an almost identical condition one in my old neighborhood that the owner only moves for street cleaning twice a week. 
I don't know second gen f bodies so well, but they came with TH350 transmissions (which are cheap and easy to find, usually) and 350 (and larger) engines from the factory. The problem is the cars are worth a bit by now.
Junky 3rd gens are still relatively cheap (easy to find sub$1K non running) but they take a specific transmission tailhousing due to the rear suspension third link mounting to the transmission (there is a crossmember that works around this but...that's a line item on the budget). You're not going to find a 3rd gen with a 350 already in it for challenge money. It's easy to put one in place of a 305, but I'm not so sure about putting a V8 where a 60 degree V6 used to be (it' can't be THAT hard).
I know my way around a 3rd Gen Fbody pretty well. If you go that route I might be some help. I don't know 2nd gens so I'll definitely be willing to help :)
I have a 350 SBC shortblock you can have for free (or anyone else) BUT...it has bee in a fire. It's honestly probably not worth messing with, but the price is right.
You've probably seen this one but it actually looks like a decent start with some possible spare parts to sell to help with budget:
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/d/1981-pontiac-trans-am/6758011378.html
Datsun310Guy said:Back in the day everybody mentioned getting Cragar’s then Centerline Wheels was the hot one.
Yup, I mentioned Cragars and then put Centerlines on for a while, ahahaha
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80sFast said:Do it!
Unfortunately Rogers car ended up with a LOT more flames and was destroyed.
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ClemSparks said: You're not going to find a 3rd gen with a 350 already in it for challenge money. It's easy to put one in place of a 305, but I'm not so sure about putting a V8 where a 60 degree V6 used to be (it' can't be THAT hard.
1. I did, but i got lucky. Mine was never meant to be a challenge car though so I already blew my budget and the car doesn't run yet.
2. 350 literally bolts in place of a 305 with no issues except for changing the chip if you are keeping stock efi on the car. (Tbi or tpi)
3. The v6 k member is identical to a v8 k member. Buy v8 mounts and put them in the right holes. A friend has a '92 RS with a 350(soon to be 383) that was originally a 3.1 car. The trans is different and the front springs are lighter. But you'll probably change both of those anyway.
Just for more motivation
herb adams fire am
Macho trans am
In reply to MotorsportsGordon :
Yes all 86-92 Trans Ams, Formulas and Z28s with the manual trans had TPI 305s. Tpi 305/auto also was an option. Carb or TBI 305 is more common though depending on year.
Daylan C said:In reply to MotorsportsGordon :
Yes all 86-92 Trans Ams, Formulas and Z28s with the manual trans had TPI 305s. Tpi 305/auto also was an option. Carb or TBI 305 is more common though depending on year.
If I’m not mistaken the players gm series here in Canada used an HO version of the 305.
Buy used truck engine at junkyard.
Spray it until it pops.
Repeat.
I'm sure you could do that a couple times and still be under challenge budget.
I agree. Find one that runs and roll with it. Or read a Wheels777 (Andy Nelson) thread or two.
I recently rebuilt a Small block chevy. If you need to do machine work on an engine block, heads, etc...there's really no way you can stay within a challenge budget. Let me rephrase that. If you need to pay for machine work it's really hard to stay under a challenge budget.
For challenge budget purposes, I think the trick would be to purchase a vehicle with the engine you want in it and part it out to recoup budget.
ShawnG said:Buy used truck engine at junkyard.
Spray it until it pops.
Repeat.
I'm sure you could do that a couple times and still be under challenge budget.
Agreed. Vortec would be preferred for the better heads, etc. if one can be found cheaply enough.
When I saw this ad, I was compelled to copy the url and post in this thread:
https://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/d/fulton-1977-pontiac-firebird/6787717185.html
421 super duty
NOT A TA said:80sFast said:Do it!
Unfortunately Rogers car ended up with a LOT more flames and was destroyed.
[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/170520_Histo3_13_EG_7465-589220-800-600-80_zps41q3xniz1_zpsarx3sivb.jpg.html]
That one may be gone but Riley Staire build something like it:
In reply to ebonyandivory :
That’s cool!
ebonyandivory said:NOT A TA said:80sFast said:Do it!
Unfortunately Rogers car ended up with a LOT more flames and was destroyed.
[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/170520_Histo3_13_EG_7465-589220-800-600-80_zps41q3xniz1_zpsarx3sivb.jpg.html]
That one may be gone but Riley Staire build something like it:
What on earth is that sack o' snakes!?!!?!??!?!!!!
Here's a thirdgen project with Challenge potential:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/396750364231471/
MANUAL transmission:
In reply to ClemSparks :
I'm dyin' here....
In reply to ClemSparks :
I'm really glad I already have too many cars and not enough money right about now.
I'd be willing to donate some interior parts if somebody here gets that car though. I have a mostly complete set of black early firebird interior plastics taking up space in the garage.
That 84 could be a good deal. Manual V8 cars are getting hard to find. V6 trans is a bit different. Offer $700 and he can keep the fancy radio.
I may have a fast steering box and big sway bars for you. Check out thirdgen.org.
Because everything's better WITHOUT T-TOPS!
It's $1,800. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/383941165488167/
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