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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Hi its my first post. I mostly just read.I have a 1991 RS conv. 305 t5 mostly stock. I recently met a guy through a friend who said he would sell me a 1984 berlinetta 305 qjet and auto trans for 650. He said it needs carb work and has been sitting for a while. My hope is to get the car use a goodwrench 350 ho (290hp 338tq) crate motor and a weiand smog legal supercharger (roots type). I will do all smog legal parts. I plan on using trick flow heads, havent decided cam, edelbrock tes headers, 3" exhaust ending in front of right rear tire, roller rockers 1.52, rebuilt tranny (700r4 i think) and finally WHAT CARB? will the weiand work with a qjet? im trying to stay legal but with the blower i know they will look hard. Any suggestions advice anything? should i do it? money really isnt a factor but i am not looking to waste.
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You've given several points I wish to comment on, but first, if money isn't an issue, why not do an LSX? Or even a better car, like a 4th gen or a 'vette? Okay, on to your other points. If you're going to change the heads and cam, why start with the 290 HP 350 crate engine? The only 2 differences between it and the Goodwrench 350 are the cam and the price. That cam doesn't cost GM a bit more than the other, so they're making about $300 more profit. Don't you have a better use for that $300?
Next, several years ago, HotRod built a car this way, with the Weiand 142 under a stock-style electronic-controlled Q-Jet, and the Q was done by The Carb Shop, IIRC, though I'm sure Sean Murphy Induction could do as well.
That is a good point. I think I got a little carried away with two stories. The way I saw it is that with the crate motor having all the brand new stuff throwing brand new parts at again is wasteful, but I was planning on selling off the old parts to comp for the new. I know it wont even out but I dont wanna pay the same amount for a short block and not have the parts to sell off. AND BELIEVE ME. I am in love with the ls series of motor. If I didnt live in the smog capitol of the world i would but I have heard horror stories of LS1 swaps done perfectly and not passing. Oh and fourth gens are nice (previously owned a 98 Z with nice mods approx 400hp bhp) but i am a thirdgen guy. Any advice on cam selection? Im sticking below 6000rpm.
With what you'd be taking off of that 290 HP crate engine, you'd be lucky to cover shipping on them.
I would be taking off the heads, cam, and probably the rockers with the heads, timing chain set, and valve covers. I dont wanna pay 1800 for a short block when i can get a long for the same. What do you suggest? I am thinking about a junkyard block but with all the machine work and new rotating assembly i really feel selling off the long blocks parts is the best way to go.
You don't need a new rotating assembly with a junkyard shortblock. Turn or polish the crank, tank/bore/hone the block, new pistons, rings & bearings, you can get a decent shortblock built for less than $1k.
Yes it does and as far as i know its functional. The car is in decent shape. One pretty bad denton the top of the left qauter.
The parts for the dash and radio go for a premium and what you get often doesn't work very well or not at all. I just got done re-soldering the buttons on one pod because the newer one was just as bad as the one I was replacing. I recommend coming up with a second display and a couple of pods for back ups in case they go out. The dash is completely different and even connectors like the wiper motor are different than my standard Camaro. Just letting you know what you're getting into from my experience.
