Z2EIGHT

Hey guys, This winter while my camaro rests for winter, I think I'm going to swap out it's 305 TPI and put in a 350 TPI. I have access to a decent shop with all the big tools like those things to take out the engine and such.

My partner is a man with a ton of car knowledge, but I know he won't be around that much. How hard of a swap is it? I heard it was pretty easy since both engines were for the same car.

Does anyone have a list of all the parts I will need (Search won't load )

My car is a '92 Camaro Z28 305TPI/700R4 with flowmasters, K&N, MSD Super Conductors, MSD GM Blaster, Accel 24# injectors, Edelbrock Longtube Headers, and I could probably be running rich. Because the Injectors are new, and my mechanic never tuned the PROM I think.

All those parts were installed when I bought the car, besides the new accels.


Anyways besides buying the 350 TPI what other parts would I have to buy? I'm not looking for power gains (Thats during the summer) I'm thinking computer and harness? And with those parts on my 305 TPI on a 350 TPI how much HP/TQ am I talking?

-Thanks

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I think you will be fine, It already has TPI so that will make it a lot easier. I would go for it.350 can be cheap if you look around for them and you can still use all your mods. I would if it is going to sit al winter. You may as well do a few mods while you are there like a cam, and such. I am also 16 and even though I started with a 350, I know I could do a swap. Just take alot of pictures and it will help a lot. The wiring should be the same, not positive though. Good luck

RebornFromAshes

What year is your 350?

The swap is probably about as easy of a swap as you can get, it is just about the same as replacing the engine. It is much easier than the first engine swap I did when I was 16. It took me an entire summer to complete thanks to the fact that I had to scavenge parts from several different makes and models to come up with the right pieces. Just take things slow, put each set of bolts in a bag and label the bag, and then take lots of pictures as you tear things down. That will help you find bits and pieces and know where they go when it comes time to put things back together.

Make sure you replace all of the seals as you put things back together. This includes the seal on the transmission pump that seals the pump to the torque converter. Things are going to get jacked around a little and an old hardened seal can quickly fail after the car is put back together. I can tell you from experience that it is no fun to have to go replace an impossible to get to seal just a month after putting things together.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I think he has a 305, And I am assuming it is stock in his car.

v10viper04

I'm 17 and i'm planning a swap this winter.... only in my case its TBI 305 to TBI 350.. I figure i can do it pretty easily as long as i got all the tools i need

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, that should be a pretty straight forward swap. 350 is the way to go!

Z2EIGHT

I have a 305 TPI in mine, and it has some mods like bigger injectors, but no actual engine work I believe.

I actually haven't found the 350 yet, but living in the moutains, I know of 10+ salvage yards, So I could easily get one.

What should I check for when I go look at an engine? I'm a complete noob...

RebornFromAshes

Ofcourse he has a 305, it wouldn't be a swap if he didn't. I wanted to know what year the new engine was.

There may be minor differences depending on the year of the 350. I am not so sure I would take for granted being able to find a TPI 350. You may have to settle for a somewhat different 350 that may increase the difficulty.

What is the casting number of your 305 heads?

For a donor engine that I didn't intend on rebuilding I would look for the following:

1) Clean under the valve covers.
2) All eight spark plugs look good and consistent
3) All eight cylinders show roughly the same compression on a compression test, and that compression is roughly right for the engine.

I wouldn't really bother swapping in an engine that didn't look good in all of these categories. It is always a bit of a gamble buying an engine with no history or having been able to drive and test the engine thoroughly. These checks will give you some chance at spotting an engine that won't perform well.

joshh44

it should be fairly easy. you can do it
im 19 and going to do a swap late or mid summer
(got the engine block in the garage)
you should cam it and get a good intake. car should good alot better then the 305.
thats what i got

daturbosix

iTrader: (2)

i was doing engine swaps when i was 14. 305 to a 350 is a walk in the park. its as simple as taking out your 305 and putting in the 350 then putting on all the parts from your 305

Gunman1704

I'm 17 and I'm planning a 3.1L to a 350 swap. Man your lucky to already have a V8 in yours, I have a 92 Firebird 3.1l with a 5sp. Paid only 1300$! Great interior, 3 dents. I thought it was a good deal. By any chance do you know if the wheels/"rims" on my car are stock?

kerplunk318

iTrader: (3)

i swapped the motor in my blazer in a week when i was 16, depends on how mechanically inclined you are, how much patience you have, (tools obviously) and having a tech board like this with guys willing to answer any questions you can imagine, good luck bud go for it

stevo the torpe

ur rims arent stock but they are stock size.

Gunman1704

Thanks!

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I would be surprised if the mechanic did any PROM tuning.

However, when the 350 goes in, PROM tuning will be a must, as the speed density system doesn't take well to major changes such as displacement.

fbodyguy86

to swap from 305 to 350 you will need

1)350 injectors 305 = 19lb 350 = 21lb
2)350 prom chip
3)350 knock sensor
4)350 ESC "spark control module" on firewall by relays
5)350 long block

all other sensors and wiring are the same

bigreeder

hey everyone, i have a 355 in my 83 camaro and while it sits this winter i am goin to do a lot to it to get it in show and drag condition. im thinking about pulling the motor out to clean it, put on new valve covers and dress it up. any suggestions on adding some power on a tight budget, i dont have a lot to spend cause im only 15, but im trying to do all i can to make it awesome.

Barrymaxx

Where do you live in pa? Im in mopntgomery county, like 20 minutes from philly. Im 16 too. You can do it. I did a motor in a 4th gen(3.4) and it wasent that bad with an engine hoist.

capt07

I'm 34 and I'm doing this on my own for the first time. w00t FTW!

i_love_thirdgen

iTrader: (3)

never to late to start!

ntomsheck

iTrader: (1)

I just finished an engine swap, and it's running as perfect as it was before the swap and I turned 17 in july lol. It's really not hard, even my swap wasn't that hard. I had to rewire my '90 harness to work with the 89 car (since I wanted to reuse the harness) and it still wasn't that challenging.

You might as well pull the trans with it. Do a good fluid/filter change, maybe install a shift kit, and do it all while sitting on your butt instead of laying under a dripping trans. If you pull the engine and trans as a unit, there is technically only 3 points securing the unit to the car, so you're not going to run into the "hiding bolt" scenario. In my opintion, it's easier to pull the engine/trans as a unit when done properly. You must have an evenly balanced chain (IE attached to the engine in the four corners, not the two hoist loops). You also must have an engine hoist that can do it. It will want to tip over frontways due to the extra 200 or so lbs hanging on the a** end of the engine, so extending legs or something similar is good.

joshh44

couldnt you just take the engine out 1st and then drop the tranny after?

ntomsheck

iTrader: (1)

Well of course, but I find it easier to pull the whole thing as a unit instead of getting all those extra bolts out. Plus, you have to get the car up quite high to get the trans out from the bottom. Maybe this isn't a problem for most, but my floor jack only goes up to 14" of lift, and I don't feel safe using stacks of wood blocks to get it higher.

If I only needed to remove the trans, I would make an effort to remove it from the bottom. However, if I need to remove the engine, I'd remove the trans with it. Less bolts; all bolts are easier to reach, and I might as well perform some maintenance to the trans while it's out such as a filter change.

bigddv

raise the back of the car from the diff or put on ramps....makes it much easier to get to everything, and the front does not have to be as high

jay_d

when i pulled my moter and trans i just pulled the front wheels off and lowered the jack.....your biggest problem will be keeping from skinning the bumper cover with the hoist....(i cracked mine in 2 places) I would definatly pull the engine and trans out together....its easier to get the bellhousing/torque converter bolts out

capt07

I have borrowed my neighbor's a frame and a chain hoist. I don't have a typical engine hoist like I've used before. Any tips on getting engine and trans out using the A frame?

Paul

jay_d

whats a a frame hoist?.....as log as it has a boom and a jack it should be pretty easy

stevenb

The swap will be easier than going from v6 to v8. There are a lot of different things you have to swap. (Radiator, bellhousing(if manual), etc)

I swapped a 2.8 to a 350 and it was from a 1976 350 and I had no clue I needed an old style flywheel to mount to a new style clutch and spent $230 on it

5678TA

i built and installed my first motor at 16.. even did a little of the port work on the camel backs.. father did the rest..

trust me.. anything is possible.. its just, how passionate are you about doing it? i was into it so i loved every minute of the learning..

good luck with your swap and dont forget to triple check everything and label EVERYTHING.. put your nuts and bolts in bags and label them for where they need to go.. i stress this part because i've lost many bolts before.. and those trips to the hardware store are annoying when they dont have the stuff you're looking for..

spina74

iTrader: (5)

It won't be hard especially if your doing TPI to TPI, hell im doin carbed 305 to 383 LT1 w/ LT4 conversion and im only 16. My camaros just my weekender, i have a 90 cougar 3.8L to beat around while the camaros getting the swap done.

myTreadZz

I'm 17 and i wanted to do engine and trans (350 TPI and 700R4) from a '91 z28 into an '86 iroc and my mechanic straight up said don't even think about it. The iroc had a 305 TPI so I figured he would say it wasn't a bad idea. But I don't wanna get myself into something that will leave me without a car for months.

jay_d

well im 18 and i built a 355 when i was sixteen and put it in my car...my point is there are 16 year old retards and there are 61 year old retards.....age has nothing to do with mechanical ability....a well suited 8 year could work on a sbc.....i do understand that tpi is slightly more complicated....just use the harness from the engine that came out of the car your doing the swap on....if they are both tpi engines...oh since its a 350 you might wanna pull the ecm out of the other car too.....just so you know it will run right....the biggest thing is a possible prom chip needing to be burnt

90gtpony

Im planning on also ripping out my little 305 tpi and putting in a 350. Can i just use the 350 short block and throw the 305 heads and intake on but just change out the injectors. I would like to have it swapped in about a day or to. Im very familiar with engine swaps on mustangs gettin a 351 or a 302. Also im familiar with rx7 and 240's getting a lsx motor. Just dont know what is all compatible.

chaoz28

yah im 17 and i di my first engine swap when i was 16 i had a 2.5 efi car and i swapped toa carbed 350 it took me about 3 weeks and it took 2 days to do the tranny l8er

Dirk Edgewoode

Started swapping Jeep engines when I was 17 or 18. If you know what your getting into, take plenty of reference pictures, and keep track of your bolts, its no major problem.

I just hate putting the belts back on..

T.Walczak

Hey guys, IM 19 new to the site.. Just have a couple of quick questions and I didnt want to start a new topic.

So Im looking to get a 88-92 Camaro and I want to put a 350 ho crate engine in it and switch it to a 5 speed manual .. First question is this the best engine to use? (link below) How much work am I looking at to swap it, I read lot of the forum and Sounds fairly easy .. Is it same for this motor too? and second of all How much work would I be looking at changing it to a 5 spd tranny? And will I have to upgrade my brakes and drive shaft for the bigger engine?? Thanks again for any help in advance

Link to engine : http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...-P1427C53.aspx

Tyler

BryOwnz

That's alot of money to spend on a motor like that. For that price you could build 3 of those motors doing some work yourself and taking your own parts to a machine shop, ooooor you could get a complete LTI or even a LS1 swap for that price....

CDN_87IROC

Keeping track of nuts and bolts - save you hours, having the right tools - save you days, purchasing be a digital camera - priceless. Take as many pictures as you can for reference.

Here is mine going back in engine+trans together

T.Walczak

Ok so you think Id be better off finding a used Ls1 and rebuilding? Compared to buying the crate engine?

chevyowner02

iTrader: (3)

NOPE. Why buy a LS1 and rebuild? And the $ in a LS1 swap you could have a crate motor up and running. Will it better than the LS1 probally not but cheaper probally.

BluFBdy

iTrader: (1)

IMO the best thing for you to do is get over the LS1 idea. Its going to take too much time and effort, not only that but wat the hell are you gonna do with that power? At 19 its just gonna get you in trouble with the cops lol. As far as crate goes, not my deal, its easier to rebuild one out of a junkyard, complete or block up if you want a nice project. Cheaper and assuming you do it right you can have confidence in it and that sweet feeling you get when you realize you built the beast your riding in