Doom Sayer

I'm trying to think about every little thing I can to keep me from getting another 3.1.. Manly because it will be so much cheaper since I will have someone else do the swap for me since I am not able to. Anyways, if I decided to go with an older 350 with a carb and not worry about the ecm wiring, how much would that keep the cost down in labor vs going with a newer 350?

Apeiron

You mean older as in non-computer controlled and carbureted, and newer as in computerized and fuel injected?

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

if cost is a factor at all, a v6-v8 swap may not be for you anyway.

Doom Sayer

Yeah.

kboehringer

Doom Sayer,
Aren't there emissions requirements in Virginia? Something to think about! Eventually...... IMPO everyone is going to end-up with some sort of emissions testing maybe it's several years away for some but.....who knows? You're driving a '97....You're more likely to be in a bind a few years from now than a guy with a little older vehicle (Pre-OBDII)....

Back to topic..
The change to V-8 is gonna be a good bit more expensive than a replacement 3.1. As far as labor charges are concerned, my semi-educated guess would be a minimum of Double the cost. Besides the labor there are a LOT of parts to change over or upgrade!

You apparently (based on the first post) don't feel you have the skill to make the swap (and it is complicated) but if you do not need this vehicle as a Daily Driver.... maybe you should spend some time looking over the other threads before you dismiss the idea. If you don't have the ability to do the swap yourself you might have a tough time asking the right questions of a mechanic if you chose to PAY someone to do this kind of swap. Generally [IMPO] this kind of swap is best performed with a DONOR Vehicle. ..... Maybe you can find a Wrecked V-8 you can transplant all the parts over to your 3.1's body, Just a thought.

Regardless, if cost is a big concern [IMPO] stick with the 3.1.

Sincerely,

Project: 85 2.8 bird

I'm going to mention a dirty phrase here: 3.1~3.4 swap boogie.

c'mon man, make Karl smile

Doom Sayer

Well when I made this thread I was planning on having a shop do the swap for me, but since then I found a guy on a local message board that said he would do it for me and not charge me what a shop would to swap it... So basically I'll have about $2000 to get the swap and everything needed. I've seen LT1 motors and trans go for under that and includes all the accessories, ecm, etc. Then I'll just need help with the swap itself. But of course if there was a cheaper way to do this(like getting a older carbed 350) I'd go that route. Could I do this swap on my own? No, but if I had a helping hand from someone who has done this I know I could get it done, but I don't have a garage to do this at, and most of my tools were stolen.

What can I say, I'm 20 and I want a hot rod. People already think my car is fast from how it looks, then when they find out it's just a v6 they're like "oh".. that feeling sucks lol and I wanna change that.... With the 3.4 they are how much used? Around $500? And then to make it have decent power it'll probably cost about another $2000? Might aswell just get the LT1 swap for that... At least then I'll have a v8 and not a v6. No disrespect to those who like the sound of v6s but I can't stand the sound. I have dual exhaust now on my v6 and it only sounds good at idle and thats only because it idles higher than it's supposed to.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

$2k can buy you a car w/a v8 already in it, and some w/an elle t. juan too

Doom Sayer

Find me a V8 third gen with a 5.7l that is in good shape and with under 125k miles for $2000 and I'll put a for sale sign on my car.

I don't know about where you live but the only V8 fbodys around here that are $2000 are the 305s with 200k miles with the body rusted to hell. To find a decent 5.7l that isn't ragged out, with less than 150k miles you will expect to pay about $4000. Trust me, I've looked for a long time before buying this car... Plus, with the LT1 swap I'd get a motor and trans with under 100k miles on it and already more power vs a L98 with 200k miles probably needing a rebuild and then needing money to mod it to match the LT1 in performance. Maybe it's just me though, but I'd rather go with the LT1 swap instead of buying a third gen with a v8 already in it and then having to worry about rebuilding it.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

why does it have to be a 5.7l? i mean, i only went a 13.03@103mph with my 305...

Project: 85 2.8 bird

last time I checked, some TRUCKS came w/350's, and I guess you're forgetting about the those wonder land yahts w/the elle t. juans in them, roadmaster wagon comes to mind for some reason. Don't limit yourself on the donor car, as getting one specifically from an f-bod means you run a high chance of getting one that is ragged out.

Irockz

iTrader: (1)

Why are you incapable of doing it?Just never done it before?Did my first swap,in my Camaro that I still own today,at 18.Granted,it was V-8 to V-8,but it was a TPI setup at that time.

If your swapping in a carbed engine,the real trick is setting up for a V-8.Otherwise,all you need is starter,alternator,and ignition wiring.Keep track of wiring for your sending units,you'll need that,also.

There is info knee deep on here about swapping an 8 to a 6 car.

On a new note,these other fellas are right,there are tons of good donor cars out there.And I think the point that 852.8 was making was that you CAN find a rough,good running V8 car for 2K that is a donor,but has EVERYTHING you need for your swap.

Get a manual,research this site,buy some more tools,LOCK THEM UP SECURELY,and try the swap yourself.You'll get the engine and power you want,at the dollar figure you can afford,and you'll KNOW your car well.

I only wish I lived close enough to help ya out.

kboehringer

Doom Sayer,
From the looks of your signature's photo that's a pretty sharp looking car. Regardless, WHO CARES WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK? It's your ride, you paid for it.....do what YOU want with it....

I also agree with the other guys (and I stated it earlier in this thread) do some research and atleast consider doing the swap yourself, if that is what you decide to do. It is really not that complicted and there are a bunch of guys at TGO that will help. The only real complication would be if you had no other means of transportation and this was your daily driver. In that case, it would seem silly to replace an apparently good engine because some other person was not properly impressed with the V-6.

I'm with IrockZ.... If I lived closer.... I'd be willing to help.

IMPO - You should also try looking for a Camaro/Firebird Club in your area. There's got to be one around your area of Virginia. My son and I are members of ACFA (Atlanta Camaro Firebird Assoc.) those guys live for the day they can tear into a Camaro and they don't care who owns it. At the first meeting we attended a couple guys offered to come over and lend a hand anyway they could. These guys also know the ins & outs of your local junkyards and they also know who does the best professional repair work in your area.

Just some thoughts,

Doom Sayer

I really do need a new motor. when I found out the motor was bad I thought it would be a good time to start saving up for a v8 swap since I was gonna do a swap next year anyway. I thought the motor was good so I was gonna focus on the looks and then the swap later, but now it's the other way around. I don't want to spend money on a rebuilt 3.1 when I can use that towards a v8 swap. I could probably get a used 3.1 right now, but I already have about $1200 saved up towards my v8 swap I think the motor will last a few more months and by then I will have enough money to buy a LT1 and trans with everything needed, then I just have to worry about getting it swapped in. I do know of a guy that said he could do my swap and not charge much, but honestly I don't trust someone I don't know...

I also decided against any kind of carbed 350 swap since I do want decent gas mileage... I was aware of the trucks coming with 350s but I didn't think it would work out too well if I bought one of those because isn't the motor setup differently to tow/haul?

Doom Sayer

What would be wrong with buying something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...QQcmdZViewItem <-- Everything but a radiator
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-Ca...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lt1-5...QQcmdZViewItem <--- No wiring harness

And those are under 2k. So if the only reason to get a third gen v8 donor car would be for all the parts needed, why not just buy something like on those links for the same price but for something newer and better? Only thing I could think of that wouldn't be included would be the motor mounts... Or am I just not getting it?

Project: 85 2.8 bird

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Engin...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...QQcmdZViewItem


and start reading up in the LXX swap forums