Hello I would like to know if anyone out there has changed a v6 to a v8. I have a 1988 camaro with a v6 MFI and manual transmission. I would like to change to a 305 v8 with TPI. I know I will have to change the bell housing from the trans and the flywheel, clutch disk and pressure plate. Could I use my current rear end? It is a 3.42 I believe and I noticed that this v8 used 3.08 or a 3.45. I am a amateur mechanic and I would really like to know if I should attempt this. I would of course have some help from friends but do you feel that this change is possible? Thanks

 

It is possible. It has been done. Lots, in fact. Your rear will work fine; in fact, some V8 owners go looking for the 6-cyl rears in the junkyards to get those gears. The factory usually put sux gears in the V8 cars for gas mileage.

The easiest, cheapest, best way to do this is to sell the 6-cyl car and buy what you really want with the money. The next easiest is to buy a car that's no good with the motor you want and swap it. You will need things from other parts of the car besides the motor itself, so it really helps to have a whole one of what you intend to end up with. The next easiest is to find one a the junkyard and buy the parts. The hardest way has got to be buying the motor off e-bay. It may look cheaper; but if you do it that way, you might be able to get the motor for free, and it stil cost more than option #2.

Strongly consider option #1 before tackling any of the others.

 

I am considering buying the motor off of ebay. the individual said I will be able to have every part of the motor alternater, water pump, headers etc. for $450 I also have an extra manual trans. to play with. Do you really think I should go get a donor car or do you think that this really would be a waste of my time using my existing v6 camaro? Thanks, Aaron

 

I did my first solo engine install 33 years ago. I've done a few engine swaps along the way (V6 Vega, several different things in the '57) before the Camaro V6 to V8.

I had to do a full-blown emissions-legal swap, and had a V8 donor car to do it. It still was by far the most difficult swap I've done.

I'm not saying don't do it. I'll agree with RB from a purely economic standpoint. If this is your first car, though, it may be worth considering. I've had the '57 for 30-1/2 years, and it's kind of neat telling people, "Yeah, it was my first car."