TBI 350 engine Have same value as LT-1 Engine in the wagon

The roadmaster buick wagon that has a TBI injection is the value the same as the LT-1 TPI ? The TBI is a 1993 is this still a good buy no rust inside is perfect everything works even the A/C?

Short answer: no. However, the L05 Roadmaster wagon is a great car, don't let the older engine stop you from picking one up. The best car I ever owned was my 92 L05 Roadmaster wagon.

Agreed - wouldn't be scared of one of those, especially if otherwise in clean shape. The power is nice, but not really a deal maker/breaker in my opinion.

I would buy a nice L05 '93 over a beat LT1 car any day of the week. LOTS of ways to make that engine have more power but the rest of the car is much harder to fix/swap.

Either one will be fine. LT1 cars generally sell for more. Condition of the car should be the deciding factor.

Ed

I drive a ‘93 TBI and used to own a ‘95, both wagons. The power of the LT1 is nice, but there some nice things about the TBI cars that I really appreciate. First, the engine power is ‘ok.’ It actually does better than you’d think unless you drive an LT1 first. Mine isn’t a tow-pac so the rear diff is very small (I think a 2.83 or something like that) and it still does okay. It keeps the highway RPMs low I guess. I did a mechanical fan delete this summer and it helps it even a bit more off a stop light.

I tend to like the TBIs in general, simple and straightforward and it has been less cantankerous than the ‘95 though both seem good if they’re maintained well.

I like the gauge setup in the pre-LT1 cars too, full analog display with Tach. If the beast you’re looking at is in good shape, there will definitely be things you will like about it. It’s a great cruiser just like it was designed to be way back when it was new.

I have only driven a couple of LT1 cars, and they have nice power. I have a 350 TBI in my 92 OCC with 2.73 gears. It has sufficient power. I have done some mods on it. I have electric fans from a 93 FW, cold air intake, and shorty headers going to duals with flowmasters turned down at the rear axle. I also drove my 91 OCC with both a 305 and 350 with 3.23 gears, and it got off of the line a little better. The LO3/5 is easier to maintain, and the distributor is a short version of the GM HEI unit. When it is running right, it is a nice engine. There is not much you can do to up the HP of the LO3/5 because of the design of the heads. The 93 9C1 came with a slightly hotter cam, and has about 25 HP more than the standard engine. You need the computer, or at least the chip, from the 9C1 for the different cam.

Stock HP is 180, and the torque is 300 lb. ft. My guess is that the headers and duals will get you about 30-40 HP, The cold air intake maybe 5 HP, and the fans another 5 HP. The torque should increase somewhat as well, but both will start out a little higher on the RPM band. You could put 6:1 lifters on it to get the effect of a bigger cam, although you are getting to the point that you will need a different chip for the computer. It is a lot easier to change the starter if you lose the Y pipe.

I had to modify the trans crossmember to accommodate the left side pipe, and you must install the pipe with the trans in 1st gear for clearance. You can use a muffler hanger from another 91-93 on the left side of the rear crossmember. The holes are already in the frame to bolt it up. I used the driveshaft loop bolts for a center support for the pipe without the pipe along the tank for support/counterbalance.

PS. If you have auto level, and want to put duals on the car, you will have to either give up the auto level, or adapt the auto level pump from an LT1 car.

Why did you change to electric fans?

What brand were they a dual fan ? what temp. is the sender set at?

I used the fans off of a 93 FW. They bolt up to the TBI cars. I used a relay to turn one fan on whenever the engine is running, and the other uses another relay, and is turned on when the AC is turned on. The second fan uses a third relay and also turns on at 210 deg. if the AC is not on. I put a Spectre thermostat with an additional bung for the thermostat switch.

You can use any brand that moves enough air.

I changed to electric fans because it is a cheap, easy way to free up about 5 HP.

what car is the 93FW? buick? thanks every 5hp helps.

Fleetwood

THANKS will ck it out!

You can use any fans you like. To use aftermarket fans you need the mounts for an LT1 radiator.

The FW upper and lower radiator mounts will replace the fan shroud on the mechanical fan cars, and the fans attach to the radiator mounts.

thanks