I have a 1984 Camaro Berlinetta, and the motor is on its last ride this summer, and over the winter I want to put in a new motor. What I would like to know, is how hard is it to upgrade from a V6 to a V8? How much work is involved... Please help! Thanks

Also, I am curious if a 4.3L can use the same tranny as the 2.8L?

 

Why don't you save yourself a lot of time, effort and money by just buying a car with a V8?

 

A swap to a V8 is possbile but a lot of time and money, you'd need litearlly everything off the V8, computer, distributor.........and oh yeah, you'd need a V8 tranny too.

I'd suggest swapin the 2.8 for a 3.4 out of a 4th gen f-body, a lot easier then the V8, plus the 3.4 comes stock with 160hp as compared to the 135hp of the 2.8. I'm actually lookin into this swap myself........do a seach and you'll find plenty of info on it.

Plus I'd also recomend upgradin the engine new or old with the standard bolt-on's........CAI, cat-back, underdrive pulley, etc

 

The 3.4 is a good upgrade, more power (in EFI form) than an LG4 305. But, it isn't a bolt-in, even though the engines are basically the same. The '84 2.8 is carb'd, I believe (107 HP, not 135). The 3.4 doesn't have the mechanical fuel pump provision, so you'll have to rig up an electric pump (arguably better, anyway). The oil pans are also different, so you'll have to put your 3rd gen part on the 3.4 (I believe the oil pump pickup is also different).

Another option is the 3.4 crate motor. Same issues as the 4th gen 3.4.

As stated, the V6 to V8 conversion is a lot of work and takes more parts than you want to buy. A full factory V8 donor car is the best way to go. Unless this car has some sort of sentimental value, it makes more sense to sell it for what you can get out of it, and buy a V8 car. The only other reason to go through with this swap is ignorance (which was my reason).

The 4.3 uses the same trannies as V8's. Don't consider that swap unless you're a glutton for punishment (same amount of work as a V8 swap, no donor cars available).

 

don't let anyone tell you you can't do it, i'm dropping a 350 into my sport coupe, and i allways get the usual just by a camaro w/a 350. I don't care if it's gonna cost less to buy the car, good cars are bought, great cars are built. the 2.8 tranny will work for the 3.1 i think, and maybe the 3.4 i'm not sure about those, i am sure that i'm gonna need a new one for mine, but that's fine with me, i can hear the tranny shaking. and if the rest of the car doesn't rust through, I'll fix up the body and put on a new coat of paint.