Hey I got a 86 camaro 2.8 v6 and I the engine threw a rod. so I want to pull a 305 out of a 86 IROC Z28 and put in in place of my 2.8. I know that there is alot to do to make it work but I need to know what everything exactly I need to do so i can do it. People tell me that i would have to change the axle and suspension, i dont think i have to do all that. But i heard i would have to cut the drive shaft or something like 1.5 inchs for some reason. Anyone who knows please just list everything that i need to do to put this engine in. Im not sure about weather I should carb it or find the orginal injection. or ignition what should I do about that????

PLEASE HELP THANKS.

 

Welcome aboard.

The only sane way to do this is with a factory V8 donor car from which you can pull all of the things that you do need to switch. With your model car and assuming you get a similar model to get parts from, you won't have to switch the driveshaft or rear end. But, basically all of the drivetrain in front of the driveshaft will have to be replaced.

Since you currently have a fuel injected car, it makes some sense to stay with FI with the swap. But, if you don't, there are ways to make a carb work, too (both my car and the donor car were carb, so that wasn't a factor for me).

Start at the radiator and go back through the transmission, and change everything in between that is attached to or feeds the engine - that's basically what you've got to do. Engine mounts, front springs, fuel lines, throttle cables - it's a big list. That's why the donor car is the only "right" way to do this.

Unless this car has some particular sentimental value, the only economic way to go from V6 to V8 is to forget this engine swap stuff and just go out and buy a running factory V8 car. I did mine before I did enough research to learn that (and before I found this board).

 

I did this V6 to V8 swap, and it was worth the time. I did the swap in about a week and a half, i also had a V8 donor car. Around me a V8 factory car that had a decent body and interior, was well out of my price range, so i bought a nice V6 and swapped in a 350 and saved at least $2000.

Where do you live, is emissions a factor? if it isnt, i would suggest a carb setup, its a lot easier. if you want performance, you will get a better performance out of a 350, and its the same exact swap as a 305. You a lucky one, like five7kid i didnt find this site until after my swap was done this site will give you all the infomation you need.

Good luck

 

Hey, wow thats pretty quick, I didnt expect a answer that fast.

Well heres the thing, my friend bought a 86 IROC Z28 and its in exalent condition and it has the 305 tuned port injection and he is taking that engine out and putting a 350 that he built in. He will sell me the block for $500 and he was telling me that I could pull my engine out and put this 305 from the iroc in and just have to do a little changes. i dont have enough money to buy a V8 but I was thinking that i could go to the junk yard get things that i need and also someone told me that i could have the drive shaft cut to fit this 305. I know I can get a 3.1 that should just fit right in for about $450 with the computer and intake, but i would really like to have that 305. Im not trying to build this car to be very fast but i would like to be faster than a 3.1 concerding how crappy this 2.8 was. what would be the best thing that I should try now the I keep hearing that its alot of work to put a V8 in????

Thanks

Also im in florida, no emissions test.

 

no need to cut the driveshaft......with the 700r4 it will be fine....Plan on alot of trips to the jy.......Ps $500 seems a bit high for a used 305......ive seen people giving them away on this board...

 

Hey, I got that 2.8 and tranny out of the car. The person that has the 305 also now says that the 700r thats in mine wont blot up to the 305. So for the price of the block and tranny anyone got any ideas on if I should do that. I dont have very much money to spend on this but I can do what I need over time.

 

you need a v-8 tranny...700r4 being the easiest of your choices..If you have a U-pullit type junkyard there..use it . I got a 700r4 for $35..v-8 radiator for 15....Malory 3 port adjustable FPR $80 My exhaust $300 3" headers back no cat,,Summit has shorty style headers for $80 Cheap but effective motor mounts $15 .........Try to talk him dawn on the 305 or shop around a bit Ive seen plenty of 350's going for that...Do the swap Have some fun...just try to get the best bang for your buck....Ive done the swap.....its rewarding when done...dont think I will ever be done myself....more..more and more!

Remember...your parts dont have to come out of a Camaro...you can change the tailshaft housing on the 700r4 to accomadate the torque arm mount cheap......look at the caprice....monty carlos....try to find an 87 or later tranny...

 

I found a V8 700r4 for $350????worth it? I also know that I can get parts from other cars but i have no clue witch ones. I also have found a 3.4 from a 95 camaro and it has 91,000 miles on it. do you think i should try that if its easier to do and but its also $500. So if i get the 305 I would still have to buy a tranny. so i dont know whats the best bet on this thing lol. what should I do with the car??? any suggestions?

 

any warranty come with the tranny? What year is it? count the splines on the input shaft...27 or 30.....
Cant tell ya what to do with your car....too many options...myself, If I had the time , I would wait for a deal on a 350.....start buying parts for the swap, or find a donor car..clean up the engine bay install the motor mounts..swap out the front springs get some subframe connectors...sway bar V-8...set up the fuel system..all the little stuff but very important...get the car ready for the v-8 then when you get a deal...your set to go...just my .02

 

actually I was thinking that might be a good way to go anyways, but I need the car in 3 months and actually less than that if I can do it. so im thinking that a 3.4 for now might be good untill I can spend the money to get a nice 350 in it

 

I got a 700R4 at the junkyard for 265.

 

I found a 700r4 for $350 but I would still have alot of other things to change and I dont even know what they are so I dont know what I sould do with this car.

also will a 3.4 out of a 95 Monte Carlo z34 work in my camaro? the 3.4 that I found is from a Monte Carlo z34. Dont know if it will match up. Also can I just use the same wiring harness or do I have to change the computer and wiring harness along with it?

 

crap i did get a deal! i got the motor with everything on it includeing the tranny for 400$ whats this about change springs u need to change them??? what about the struts? never evan thought about that stuff untill i read this and i am doin the swop in 3 weeks?

 

if you are on a tight budget, grab that 3.4 from the 95 camaro and put the long block in, go to the technical articles on the homepage www.thirdgen.org and read the one titled 2.8 to 3.4 swap boogie, also, search the V6 boards about it, never really heard anything negative about it, its not exactly going to be a fast fast car, but itll be a 110% improvement over that 2.8... just need to find a 3.4 that doesnt have too many miles

 

I can vouch for this 100%. I did it the other way and I am no longer sane.

Pay attention to this quote. It may be the best advice you'll ever read on this board. Plus- do you really want to go through all the hassle & expense and still have a 305 when you're done?

 

lol, firebird383, your car looks badass in that photo with those wheels, have any other pics of your car?

 

is there a company that makes a swap kit or does somebody have a complete list of everything?

 

none that I know of,,,do a search, you will get pages of info..

 

Thanks. I don't have a lot of pics of my car. It's been in storage for quite a while. I hope to get started on it again soon. I've installed a gas furnace in my garage and I got a bunch of bodywork tools for Xmas. Here's an old pic from when we put the 17's on for the first time.

 

hmmm... what a mess.

Here's what absolutely needs to be changed from my research over the last two years.

engine
transmission
motor mounts
right front brake line
accessory brackets, maybe some accessories
exhaust from engine to cat, really you should replace all of it.

Your radiator, suspension, etc should support a V8 without a problem. Where you're goign to run into problems is locating and paying for all the odds and ends you're going to need to assemble a running V8. You can't reuse your distributor, the intake, exhaust, etc. If you want a complete list of whats different on a V8 car over a V6, the simple answer is everything.

 

Ok I got the 3.4 in my grage. its got 71,000 miles on it and its from 1995. the engine has everything on it, like wiring harness injection power steering pump, everything. I also have the computer but I have no clue what to do with it. How do I make this engine work??? can I use the injection thats on it or do I have to use mine? What do I have to do to put this engine in this car ? Can I take all the wires off and put the ones that are already in the car on it? or do I have to put the wires that are on the engine in the car? OR do I have to use my old injection from the 2.8??? I have no clue. help please.

 

I think that you need to put the 3.4 injectors into the 2.8 fuel rail. I'm not certain about that though. I think that the tech article that Makaveli directed you to explains what to do about the fuel injectors. I'm planning on swapping the 2.8 in my 84' bird to a 3.4 after I get out of college. My 84 is carbed though. If you haven't already, try to get ahold of KED85 over on the V6 board, he wrote that tech artical.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...apboogie.shtml

have fun!

 

On the camaro the v-6 top hose is on the pass. side as the v-8 top hose is on the drivers side....what side is the top hose on your v-6 bird?check this out
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=155491