V6 - V8 swap - Electronics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Car: Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
V6 - V8 swap - Electronics
Hello all,
I have recently joined this site, thought it might be a good idea owning a third gen Firebird
I have a few probs that maybe someone could help me out with.
On my 1992 Firebird I did a V6 - V8 (-1989 305 TBI) swap, input the V8 with transmission, cable harness, computer etc. I now have a couple of loose cables that i am not sure where to connect. And I am missing one cable that needs to go to the distributor, cant seem to find it? I have everything else connected except to the transmission. I have ignition in the car, but the engine is not cranking at all. I turn the key and it shows ignition, turn one more time to crank, and ignition disappears and nothing happens. I have only a couple of cables left to connect, but cannot find to where they need to be attached. I could probably take pics if that would help? I know that what i have connected now is correct. I am so close to have it started and i cant wait for that to happen after all work i had
Are there any logic (i was hoping
) step by step to check or does anyone have any ideas of how to proceed? Does any one have any engine compartment pics to share, that shows the electric connections on a V8 305 TBI? Any help is appriciated 
I am dying to get my baby started!
Thanks,
PJ
I have recently joined this site, thought it might be a good idea owning a third gen Firebird
I have a few probs that maybe someone could help me out with.On my 1992 Firebird I did a V6 - V8 (-1989 305 TBI) swap, input the V8 with transmission, cable harness, computer etc. I now have a couple of loose cables that i am not sure where to connect. And I am missing one cable that needs to go to the distributor, cant seem to find it? I have everything else connected except to the transmission. I have ignition in the car, but the engine is not cranking at all. I turn the key and it shows ignition, turn one more time to crank, and ignition disappears and nothing happens. I have only a couple of cables left to connect, but cannot find to where they need to be attached. I could probably take pics if that would help? I know that what i have connected now is correct. I am so close to have it started and i cant wait for that to happen after all work i had

Are there any logic (i was hoping
) step by step to check or does anyone have any ideas of how to proceed? Does any one have any engine compartment pics to share, that shows the electric connections on a V8 305 TBI? Any help is appriciated 
I am dying to get my baby started!

Thanks,
PJ
Re: V6 - V8 swap - Electronics
Pics of unknown connectors will help
The car WILL NOT start without both connectors plugged into the distributor
One is in the main harness and the other is a jumper from the distributor module to the coil. It is a seaparate harness about 10" long
The car should crank over without these thou. Are all of the wires relating to the starter hooked up correctly?
On the large terminal there should be the battery + cable and 2-4 heavy red wires
On the small terminal there should be a single heavy purple wire
The car WILL NOT start without both connectors plugged into the distributor
One is in the main harness and the other is a jumper from the distributor module to the coil. It is a seaparate harness about 10" long
The car should crank over without these thou. Are all of the wires relating to the starter hooked up correctly?
On the large terminal there should be the battery + cable and 2-4 heavy red wires
On the small terminal there should be a single heavy purple wire
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Car: Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: V6 - V8 swap - Electronics
Thanks much Pocket for your reply, I will take a couple of pictures. But what you said makes a lot of sense, it is for sure the smaller connection from the coil to the distributor that I am missing, that's why I could not find it
And I think I may have gotten the starter cables wrong too. I will get some pics taken and maybe you can guide me from there. Once again, thanks much for your response, feeling I am getting closer to crank my baby up
And I think I may have gotten the starter cables wrong too. I will get some pics taken and maybe you can guide me from there. Once again, thanks much for your response, feeling I am getting closer to crank my baby up
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Car: Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Re: V6 - V8 swap - Electronics
Hey Pocket, i added some pics if you like to take a look and let me know what you think.https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/album.php?albumid=534 By the way i found the missing cable between the distributor and coil, and it is now in place 
Thanks,
PJ

Thanks,
PJ
Re: V6 - V8 swap - Electronics
Pic 1: Those are to the A.I.R. diverter valve. They are not required and will not cause any issues to leave unplugged/removed aside from SMOG equipment inspections
Pic 2: That is one side of the HVAC disconnect. It supplies power and various AC commands. The HVAC harness is separate from the engine harness and goes thru the firewall under the AC box to the slider controls. Required for HVAC controls, but will not prevent the car from cranking
Pic 3: Coolant gauge sensor. Under the manifold between plug 1 and 3 there should be a small stud. This clips on and goes directly to your gauge
Not required to run
Pic 4: Starter wires look fine, Im not sure if theres more because they changed over the years. The brace is loose thou
Pic 5: That and the one to the left of it are vacuum ports. One goes to the heat riser on the intake and the other to the EGR. Plug them if they are not used, your car wont idle right with them open
Pic 6: MAP sensor vacuum line. This is very necessary since TBI cars are SD systems and the MAP is the only method of metering incoming air. Connect it to the TB
In the back of the pic near the dist there is a large vacuum line. It should go thru a one-way valve and into the brake booster. Connect it or plug it to start
The other end of the HVAC connector (from Pic 2) is under the MAP sensor
From the pics I cant see any reason the car wont crank over or attempt to start. If it did start it would run awful
Id begin with trying to find out why the starter isnt cranking the engine over
Pic 2: That is one side of the HVAC disconnect. It supplies power and various AC commands. The HVAC harness is separate from the engine harness and goes thru the firewall under the AC box to the slider controls. Required for HVAC controls, but will not prevent the car from cranking
Pic 3: Coolant gauge sensor. Under the manifold between plug 1 and 3 there should be a small stud. This clips on and goes directly to your gauge
Not required to run
Pic 4: Starter wires look fine, Im not sure if theres more because they changed over the years. The brace is loose thou
Pic 5: That and the one to the left of it are vacuum ports. One goes to the heat riser on the intake and the other to the EGR. Plug them if they are not used, your car wont idle right with them open
Pic 6: MAP sensor vacuum line. This is very necessary since TBI cars are SD systems and the MAP is the only method of metering incoming air. Connect it to the TB
In the back of the pic near the dist there is a large vacuum line. It should go thru a one-way valve and into the brake booster. Connect it or plug it to start
The other end of the HVAC connector (from Pic 2) is under the MAP sensor
From the pics I cant see any reason the car wont crank over or attempt to start. If it did start it would run awful
Id begin with trying to find out why the starter isnt cranking the engine over
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