Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
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Help me anticipate my problems before I run into them
Alright, right now I have an 84 TA with the L69, the plan is to swap in this motor in a month or 2. Yes, I realize that its a very basic 350, but for now its a lot better then the L69, and I can always upgrade later on. I plan to use the current carb setup, and I'll just unbolt everything that I need from the 305 and bolt it to the 350. Now what new and or different parts will I need to make this work. I know that I will need a 350 knock sensor, but for now thats all I know for sure. Will I need a different flywheel? Also because I'm going with a roller cam will anything else need to be changed? (And don't worry 57kid I am already planning on exhaust upgrades before or during the swap as well). Thanks for the input.
__________________ 84 Trans Am originally an L69, now a mild 350 w/ (crappy)882 heads, XE256H cam, and Weiand Stealth intake. Backed by a 700r4 and a peg leg 3.73 rear.
I was sort of expecting you to say that about the flywheel, but not about the intake. What sort of modification would I need to do to the intake to make it work?
The angle of the center bolt holes is different. If there's enough meat on your intake, you can hog out the two center holes on each side to get the bolts to fit. You can also buy a q-jet style aftermarket aluminum intake with the proper bolt holes. You may also need a new oil pan and timing cover. This style block uses a pan with a single rubber gasket, and I think the pan is different. Your balancer will work, but if you change the timing cover you might need a balancer whose timing mark is matched to the new timing cover. You will need centerbolt valve covers also. You will want to make sure your new roller cam has a fuel pump lobe on it. All you will need to do is change the cam, this engine already has roller lifters.
Edit-for the knock sensor, it's paired to the module. I've done this type of swap and used the stock sensor/module combo with no problems. If you swap to the 350 sensor, you will have to swap to the 350 module also. Skip that and save some $$.
__________________ Four weeks, twenty papers, that's two dollars plus tip.
12.59@113 w/1.82 60' 11/20/05 The tidybowl man says I should flush this turd!!!
Would it be easier for me just to go with an older style block? I can get this one (not a roller cam setup, but that really doesn't concern me too much) and obviously that would fix my flywheel problem. Would that also fix my intake problem as well?
The second engine you posted should have the same intake bolt angle as your L69. It has the dipstick on the driver side though, unlike your L69 which has the dipstick on the passenger side, so your oil pan won't fit.
Crazy Firebird Kid,
My son's 350 has the Driver Side Dip ('74 Block). We purchased a new chrome oil pan from J.C. Whitney for less than $50. I'm not normally a big fan of JCW parts as they are often cheap junk. However, the pan seemed to be constructed very well and we have had no problems with it.
Hopefully, you plan to use headers as the original 305 exhaust manifolds will not allow use of a DR. Side Dip Stick.
Awesome thanks for the info Kurt. I haven't heard any update on Dereks Camaro lately. She still running good? Painted yet? You should really post some pics once its all done. Oh and as for the headers I do definately plan on having a set at the time of the swap.
To use a drivers side dipstick block in a 3rdgen, you can also use a '70-79 Camaro oil pan. They used the drivers side dipstick, and the pan is otherwise the same as a 3rdgen pan. Thats what I'm using right now in my '83 Z28.