OK guys here it go's..
I have a 87 firebird with a 305 4bbl...I want to swap the 305 carbed motor for the 350 TPI out of my wrecked 88GTA..What problems will I run in too?? I have all the parts I need from the 88 right??Any modifications I will have to make??
I could really use some help in any way...The 88 is complete except that it was hit at about 55 mph right behind the passenger tire and totally tweeked the whole car..
Beau

 

Take pictures of everything before you start. Remove the harnesses from each engine and tranny, tagging everything as it is taken off. Leave the harness attached to the sensors on the firewall, remove sensors from firewall. Remove plastic fender liners from passenger side, remove engine harnesses from cars. Remove engines, install 350 into '87, put ECM from '88 into '87, re-attach harness.

AC will probably be different because of serpentine vs. v-belt. The entire AC can be removed/swapped w/o breaking any hoses open.

Not sure about some details like digital dash (assume the GTA has it). I'd think the VSS would feed to the same ECM pin on either ECM, but I don't know for sure.

Perhaps someone more familiar with 'Birds could expound.

What year did VATS appear?

 

Don't forget the gas tank, for the fuel pump; and possibly all the fuel lines.

Whatever you do, no matter how tempting it seems, DO NOT CUT ANY WIRES, EVER, ON EITHER CAR!!!! The entire ECM harness will come out as a unit, if you take out the pass side inner fender wells you'll see how.

 

Judging by the complexity of the swap... this is what "I" would do personally.

Putting in the new motor isn't hard AT ALL...

it's the wiring and all the other crap with the computer.

"I" personally would tear the 87 Firebird down to almost nothing... down to frame rails and a gutted interior.. no dash, etc...

I would COMPLETELY tear it down to nothing.

This is going to be a pain, and time consuming, but IMHO, it's the only way to do it right.

Then start taking everything off your GTA and take it piece by piec and install it all into your 87 bird.

Take plenty of pictures..

Do not CUT or forefully remove anything delicate.



You should basically be able to turn your 87 bird into the GTA.. if that's what you want to do.

Think of it as merely changing the body shell.. and not swapping engines.

 

Thanks for the replys guys..I got the harness from the passenger side fender,but I cant figure out how to get it off the drivers side firewall..The 88 does have a digital dash but I don't want it(sold it for 200 bucks)...Keep the help coming..I will need it..Oh and it doesn't have the vats..And I don't wanna tear the whole car down..just replace the motor..It's my daily driver..
Thx Beau