Hey new to this and just wanted to know how difficult it is to change the V6 engine in my 1990 Firebird with the Formula V8???

Or should I just rebuild a with a V6. New to working on cars.

 

The 8th digit in my VIN is a T and the 9th is an X. Out the manual don't know if it is a 4.3l or 2.8l.

 

I did something similar on my base model 84 Camaro, but I had a 92Z donor car with everything.

When I did mine, I swapped out everything (eng, tran, rear end, computer, dash, etc.), If you do it this way, it's actually not too bad. Everything was pretty much just drop in and plug back in. So glad I did the swap, it's a totally different car now.

 

Bare minimum, assuming a carbed V8...

Engine
Engine mounts on crossmember
Front springs (different spring rates)
Transmission (bolt pattern on bellhousing is different and V6 T-5 has different gearing and input shaft splines, may be able to use a different clutch, but it's better to get the right trans to start with since they're all over the place)
Engine harness
Heater coolant pipe (V8 has a longer pipe)
Tachometer for instrument cluster (V6 has a different calibration)
Will also either need a carbed fuel sending unit and fuel pump OR external fuel pressure regulator

Assuming a TBI or TPI V8:
Engine harness AND ECM if TBI
Engine harness if TPI and MEMCAL for ECM (V6 and V8 cars run the same ECM)

9th VIN digit doesn't matter. It's a digit used to make sure that the other 16 digits are proper and the VIN is real. 1-Country of manufacture (1-USA), 2-Manufacturer (GM), 3-vehicle division (1-Chevrolet, 2-Pontiac), 4-Carline (F), 5-vehicle line (S-base/Formula, W?-T/A/GTA), 6-body style (generally 2, 2-door hatchback), 7-restraint system (1-manual belt, 3-manual belt with rear shoulder belt and SIR), 8-engine, 9-check, 10-year (C-1982 to N-1992), 11-manufacture plant (N-Norwood, OH, L-Van Nuys, CA) , 12-17-production sequence.

 

Cool. Yeah will see I am going to gut the interior and make a parts list first. I'd like to put in the V8 but will see. It's been sitting for 11 years.

 

I just did this on mine, it's not bad but it will mickle and dime you to death, but oh so worth it

 

Anyone know why this is in the body section?

 

My bad. New to the site. Didn't catch that.