I have an 85 Camaro that I am swapping the 2.8 with a 350 out of a 79 Z28. I was wondering if I need a computer, and if not is it possible to make the factory gauges work. I am putting the Iroc gauge cluster in place of the v6 gauges. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

you will need a new transmission,if its carbeurated you wotn need a computer. youll need everything to be swapped for the bigger engine. new motormounts, rear end. all the driveline crap basically, all the bolt on stuff on the engine. i have a 2.8 v6 and i was gonna do the swap to,but its way to hard. and in arizona we have emissions so i dont think its legal. ill do it eventually though.good luck.

 

if you want to remain emissions compliant YES YOU WILL NEED THE ECM



the rear end DOES NOT need to be changed

THEY ARE THE SAME (v6 and v8 rear ends)

why is this such a popular misconception

 

gchld, the best way to do this is with a factory V8 donor car that has all these things on it. That's what I did, and with regard to emissions, I've been through that process successfully twice.

 

a lotta V8 rears were open ended 2:73's... and a lotta V6's were posi 3:42s... u make the choice hehe

 

i dont think posi was an option on the V6 cars............

 

my 88 sc's a 2.8 w/ a 5 spd and its not posi

 

In keeping with the subject in this thread:

In a couple of years from now, when I've paid off my other car, I'd like to swap my '86 2.8SFI 'Bird with a Formula 350 engine from a donor car (if I can find one...). I have the Borg-Warner 5-spd tranny. I've heard that all I need to do is change the engine, endbell, computer, mounts, front springs, and switch a couple of wires. I've already acquired the dash cluster from a Formula, so that will just be a plug-n-play install.

Is there anything else I should know? I'd like to keep the drivetrain if I can, it is still tight. The car only has 57k miles on it, so I'm still breaking it in! -Thanks!

 

ahh the good old 2.8 to 350 swap. brings back memories. you can make the factory guages work make sure u mark the sending unit wires and just get factory sending units from an iroc. as for the springs and other things i didnt change a thing. still got my 3.42 rear from my 6 cuz they are the same as v8'z. front springs are still the same. who needs to buy lowering springs when u can drop in a nice v8 that can do the same job. my friends would kill for the stance my car has. and no the ride is not crappy it is real smooth. just get some sub frame connectors and a strut brace and your golden. you can do the suspension as you feel like it. or just dont do it at all. i havent run into any problems

 

I have a 2.8L 5-Spd Borg-Warner with a posi... Is this a rare combination???

 

ok, i'm sorry, i justy found out that posi was an option on V6's.......albeit VERY rare

doesnt really make it collectible though

 

I have posi..sometimes..