Strengthening V8 swap
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 29
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From: Vancouver, WA
Strengthening V8 swap
I posted this in the wrong forum so moving my question to here.
I have a 1986 berlinetta v6 manual 5 speed transmission. I am looking to swap in a V8 engine soon into it and would like some information of what needs to be strengthened on the body, rear end, transmission.
First off would a 350 be very different from a 305 when doing the swap? Would I have to do alot more strengthening work or would it roughly be the same?
What has to be strengthened on the vehicle? Could I keep the T-5 or would I need to upgrade transmissions?
I understand that buying a new car would be alot easier in the end but this car holds alot of sentimental value to me and I want to learn how to do things on a car and this is the best way for me to learn.
Thank you for the input.
I have a 1986 berlinetta v6 manual 5 speed transmission. I am looking to swap in a V8 engine soon into it and would like some information of what needs to be strengthened on the body, rear end, transmission.
First off would a 350 be very different from a 305 when doing the swap? Would I have to do alot more strengthening work or would it roughly be the same?
What has to be strengthened on the vehicle? Could I keep the T-5 or would I need to upgrade transmissions?
I understand that buying a new car would be alot easier in the end but this car holds alot of sentimental value to me and I want to learn how to do things on a car and this is the best way for me to learn.
Thank you for the input.
Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 442
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
It sort of depends on what you intend to do with the car
and the current condition of the drivetrain.
1. Lets say everything is in tip top shape and further that your
personality is such that your driving style is pretty mellow
other than an ocasional 50 to 100 burst to errr ummm
clear the carbon :-)
Your T-5 will be fine as well the rear end. Your will be undersprung
in the front and so you should consider a higher spring rate.
You might consider a set of subframe connectors not because
of the V-8 but as a general overall quality of ride improvement.
2. Lets say your an id.. errr um inexperienced drag racer wanabe.
Further you can't/won't read or take advice...
You will likely put a V-8 in a clapped out chassis and try ever
more ridiculous ways to get it to launch you will toast the clutch
lose the rearend possibly toss a driveshaft and otherwise mangle
an otherwise nice car.
3. Your still a drag race wanabe but can read and take advice.
Roughly consider what will the engine put out and your ability to get it to the ground at any given stage of development. Your driveline will begin to "break" upon repeated exposure to
60ft times approaching 1.7 to 1.75 seconds.
At roughly 1.75 sec 60ft time virtually everything in the car is suspect. gears, u-joints, tranny, axles, even the pumpkin can crack.
At this stage you need a nicely configured rear end, good u joints
a HD transmission etc..
Of course this assumes everything was tip top to start
and the current condition of the drivetrain.
1. Lets say everything is in tip top shape and further that your
personality is such that your driving style is pretty mellow
other than an ocasional 50 to 100 burst to errr ummm
clear the carbon :-)
Your T-5 will be fine as well the rear end. Your will be undersprung
in the front and so you should consider a higher spring rate.
You might consider a set of subframe connectors not because
of the V-8 but as a general overall quality of ride improvement.
2. Lets say your an id.. errr um inexperienced drag racer wanabe.
Further you can't/won't read or take advice...
You will likely put a V-8 in a clapped out chassis and try ever
more ridiculous ways to get it to launch you will toast the clutch
lose the rearend possibly toss a driveshaft and otherwise mangle
an otherwise nice car.
3. Your still a drag race wanabe but can read and take advice.
Roughly consider what will the engine put out and your ability to get it to the ground at any given stage of development. Your driveline will begin to "break" upon repeated exposure to
60ft times approaching 1.7 to 1.75 seconds.
At roughly 1.75 sec 60ft time virtually everything in the car is suspect. gears, u-joints, tranny, axles, even the pumpkin can crack.
At this stage you need a nicely configured rear end, good u joints
a HD transmission etc..
Of course this assumes everything was tip top to start
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