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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So I found a guy selling the powertrain from his 1976 Vette. I have a 1991 Camaro no **** the motor will fit fine as I have a 305 but I have some other questions.
1.) Will the rear end work and fit okay?
2.) What kind of rear end is it; gear? possi?
3.) Will the Muncie M21 work in my '91?
4.) Is there anything else that would get ****ed if I got rid of the computers? I mean what else do they control?
5.) The 1976 Corvette came with an L48 350/180 or the L82 350/210 I am not sure if he is telling the truth or not here is the casting number 3970010?
Also can someone please check these number don't know if they are right might be off by a couple as I was looking at really dirty ****.
The vette rearend would be a major swap. Is that what you were considering?
Not all vettes has posi. gear varies.
'76 vette should be Super T-10, not M21.
3970010 is a very common block in the '70s, all came with 4" bores and large main journals, some had 4-bolt-mains, some had 2-bolt-mains. No help there.
How much $ is he asking, and what casting numbers are the heads?
The vette rearend would be a major swap. Is that what you were considering?
Not all vettes has posi. gear varies.
'76 vette should be Super T-10, not M21.
3970010 is a very common block in the '70s, all came with 4" bores and large main journals, some had 4-bolt-mains, some had 2-bolt-mains. No help there.
How much $ is he asking, and what casting numbers are the heads?
Thanks
I will get the casting numbers of the heads next time I see the engine.
As far as the rear end goes how major are we talking? Will it be that hard? Will the transmission fit okay?
I live in Dubai where it is really hard to find anything Chevy. I have been looking for a powertrain for my Camaro for over a year now. I finally found one. Now when I converted it on a curreny converter (to U.S. dollars) this is what I came up with;
Engine; $1,360.00 (Asking)
Transmission; $270.00 (Asking)
Differential; $270.00 (Asking)
Now keep in mind this stuff is very very hard to find over hear.
Doesn't your camaro have a rear axle under it, like maybe it's original? If so, then forget the 'vette rear end. Same for the transmission. If your camaro still has it's original, and it works, then keep using it. As for the engine, over here it's worth that much only if it has lots of good aftermarket parts in it. If it is still as GM built it, it's worth about $200.
Yes it does have a rear end but is not a posi. As for the transmission it has a 700R4 now and I beleive that true hot rods should have a manual. I have been driving manual my whole life. The first car I drove was a five speed. I think it's a lot more fun. Why would the transmission be a pain in the *** to get in? The engine is all factory with a cracked intake manifold and ****ed carb. It also has no exhaust manifolds or headers or belt drive system. I will try and give the guy the least amount of money I can.
It's going to be a MAJOR install on the rear end, the 1976 corvette uses a independent rear suspension and looks something like this 80-82 Corvette rear end I found on the internet. I own a 82 corvette and a 88 Trans Am, two totally different set-ups.
I'm not even sure if it will physically fit, lot of work for a posi rear end
The transmission will fit, but the drive shaft on your car will need to be swapped out for a earlier model or shortened, because the 700r4 automatics are physically longer. Also the transmission support will either need to be swapped out or modified as well. Not 100% sure, someone can verify this though.
This would be an installers nightmare, the only thing salvageable is the engine, it would bolt right in place.
4.) Is there anything else that would get ****ed if I got rid of the computers? I mean what else do they control?
If you swap transmissions you will lose the function of your speedometer, the 91 transmission has the electronic sender and the 76 vette has a cable driven speedometer provision.
But the computer doesn't physically control anything else in the car other than the engine.
Also I asked on the Corvette forum if the lower gears in a 85 Trans Am parts car will fit in my 3rd generation corvette and was told the actual guts of the rear ends won't swap out....they are different.
Thank you for all of your help and research. I live overseas were I don't think I would be able to get a new driveshaft. I am surprised I even found this Corvette stuff. So I guess I should skip the rear end huh? I just wanted something that would be a posi. Is there some sort of a kit for 10 bolts? Should I skip the transmission as well? I kind of wanted a manual but I guess I could live with an automatic. Once again I thank you for all of your help. It is people like you who make the hobby more enjoyable.
Thank you for all of your help and research. I live overseas were I don't think I would be able to get a new driveshaft. I am surprised I even found this Corvette stuff. So I guess I should skip the rear end huh? I just wanted something that would be a posi. Is there some sort of a kit for 10 bolts? Should I skip the transmission as well? I kind of wanted a manual but I guess I could live with an automatic. Once again I thank you for all of your help. It is people like you who make the hobby more enjoyable.
Personally, I would skip the Corvette rear end idea for sure.
The manual transmission idea is a possibility, but keep in mind the Corvette transmission is most likely a 4-speed and there are better choices out there for drivability. If it were me I would try to locate a 5 or 6 speed.
But if you swapped, you might be able to get a a driveshaft and crossmember out of a early 80's (82-83) f-body and it would bolt right in.
Again I'm not 100% sure on that, so someone will need to verify this to be sure.
But you would still need to figure something out on the speedometer (which can be done with a cable driven VSS or swap guages)
And lastly you need to swap out the pedals for a set with a clutch to make eveything work.
If you did this swap, you'll most likely spend most of your time trying to hunt down the little parts to make a manual set-up work. It would have been better to have a complete 82-92 Camaro / Firebird donor car at your disposal.
If it were ME I would swap engines and keep the automatic, you'll feel better about it in the long run.
I just wanted something that would be a posi. Is there some sort of a kit for 10 bolts?
Yes. It is called a "Powertrax". If you can order over the internet and have things shipped, summitracing.com or jegs.com will have them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 88TransAmFreak
If it were ME I would swap engines and keep the automatic, you'll feel better about it in the long run.
It certainly would be easier this way. You will have to get a different flexplate, because the '91 and '76 versions are different, but you can get that from Summit or Jegs as well.
Personally, I would skip the Corvette rear end idea for sure.
The manual transmission idea is a possibility, but keep in mind the Corvette transmission is most likely a 4-speed and there are better choices out there for drivability. If it were me I would try to locate a 5 or 6 speed.
But if you swapped, you might be able to get a a driveshaft and crossmember out of a early 80's (82-83) f-body and it would bolt right in.
Again I'm not 100% sure on that, so someone will need to verify this to be sure.
But you would still need to figure something out on the speedometer (which can be done with a cable driven VSS or swap guages)
And lastly you need to swap out the pedals for a set with a clutch to make eveything work.
If you did this swap, you'll most likely spend most of your time trying to hunt down the little parts to make a manual set-up work. It would have been better to have a complete 82-92 Camaro / Firebird donor car at your disposal.
If it were ME I would swap engines and keep the automatic, you'll feel better about it in the long run.
Well I thank you for that information it definatly gives me something to think about. I wish I could find an '82-'92 F-Body but it is almost imposible in this country. I am surprised I found the two that I have now. I think what I will do is if I can get the transmission and engine for a good deal I will do that but if not I will just get the engine. I am not to worried about gauges I mean I can get custom iEquus or Auto Meter or something like that. I think it would be hard for me to get a 5 or 6 speed here because most people are really lazy in this country and all have and want automatics. If I get the transmission and can't get it to work I could always sell it or save it for another project. Thanks for all of your help man. Do you know of another way to convert my rear end to a limited slip is there a kit or something?
Before considering the powertrax, lets consider how you will be using the car. Mostly in heavy traffic in town? If so, you should order a set of 3.73:1 gears to replace your 2.73:1 gears. And if you're changing gears, no sense using a powertrax when you can then install an Eaton.
what is he looking at for any high speed running with those gears?
who do you think we can order them from? we are talking about the 28 splines or not?
I am going to be using the car to get to high school and back. Which is a 40 minute drive. I will also be doing some street racing on weekends. I just want a limited slip differential really bad. Does Eaton have a kit?
Okay so waited the guy out. I then went back a week later and I bought everything for the price he paid for the new clutch and flywheels. I got as follows;
1976 Corvette Exhaust
1976 Corvette Disk Brakes
1976 Corvette Differential
1976 Corvette L82 SBC
1976 Corvette Super T10 4 Speed
Brand New Clutch Still In Box
Brand New Flywheel Still In Box
And some other boxes filled with random ****.
Will the brakes work on the car?
Is it possible I can put the Corvette gears in the 10 Bolt?
What kind of gears will the Differential have?
I am going to bring my truck and trailer to the shop he has the **** at on Thursday. I will then post pictures. It is really hot over hear now and I don't have a garage so I will be doing the swap after the summer.
1976 Corvette Differential - gonna take ALOT of work and $$$ to make it fit/be reliable
1976 Corvette L82 SBC - could swap it in with the transmission to eliminate any problems hving the vette transmission mount to your current motor
1976 Corvette Super T10 4 Speed - can swap in, gonna need a driveshaft, crossmember, maybe a shifter hole, clutch linkage, clutch pedals, nutral safty switch bypass/change to a manual one
Brand New Clutch Still In Box - good
Brand New Flywheel Still In Box - good
And some other boxes filled with random ****. - ok lol
Will the brakes work on the car? - i doubt its worth putting older brakes on your car
Is it possible I can put the Corvette gears in the 10 Bolt? - no, thety are a dana 33/dana super 33/dana 44 variation, cant remember what a c3 had.. but no they wont fit in the ten bolt
What kind of gears will the Differential have? - see above
personally, if there;s ANY way to not buy this stuff/get your money back, do it. take your money, order some gears/posi online or send someone on here the money and have them ship it to you. same deal for the transmission, order one (t5 or t56, with a full swap kit - drive shaft, crossmember, pedals, clutch set up, shifter etc.) or have someone ship it to you. IMO your going to get BURNED on this vette parts deal
1976 Corvette Differential - gonna take ALOT of work and $$$ to make it fit/be reliable
1976 Corvette L82 SBC - could swap it in with the transmission to eliminate any problems hving the vette transmission mount to your current motor
1976 Corvette Super T10 4 Speed - can swap in, gonna need a driveshaft, crossmember, maybe a shifter hole, clutch linkage, clutch pedals, nutral safty switch bypass/change to a manual one
Brand New Clutch Still In Box - good
Brand New Flywheel Still In Box - good
And some other boxes filled with random ****. - ok lol
Will the brakes work on the car? - i doubt its worth putting older brakes on your car
Is it possible I can put the Corvette gears in the 10 Bolt? - no, thety are a dana 33/dana super 33/dana 44 variation, cant remember what a c3 had.. but no they wont fit in the ten bolt
What kind of gears will the Differential have? - see above
personally, if there;s ANY way to not buy this stuff/get your money back, do it. take your money, order some gears/posi online or send someone on here the money and have them ship it to you. same deal for the transmission, order one (t5 or t56, with a full swap kit - drive shaft, crossmember, pedals, clutch set up, shifter etc.) or have someone ship it to you. IMO your going to get BURNED on this vette parts deal
I stole the engine and transmission pretty much. The guy gave me the rest of the stuff for free. It was super cheap and it is hard to find stuff like this over hear. I am sick and tired of computer motors and want an old school carbed motor. I am sorry you think I am getting burned on this deal but I personally want a carbed 350 rather than a TBI 305.
if you really "stole" it, then cool, but i think the super t10 may be more work than you are anticipating. if it makes you happy in the end tho, that's all that matters right?
if you really "stole" it, then cool, but i think the super t10 may be more work than you are anticipating. if it makes you happy in the end tho, that's all that matters right?
I might not use the transmission if it is to much work. But I got it for super cheap lol. I just wanted a manual because automatic is boring to me