My mechanic friend says a new chevy 350 will be an easy switch for my 89 RS. He says the TBI will bolt right up. He fiures about 1800 for the engine and labor. What exactly will have to be changed to accomplish this? I will still be using the car as my daily driver.

 

I swapped a 350 onto my 305 92 RS last year.
The intake and throttle body will bolt right up.
You'll need 350 injectors, knock sensor and esc module.
Probably a chip as well. A 350 Caprice chip is good if you have an automatic trans.

I had a custom chip burned by Ed Wright at fastchip.com.http://www.fastchip.com/

350 truck injectors (#17112493)
ESC Module (# 16128261)
Knock Sensor (# 10456288)
Good prices on these from :
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

-Rich-

 

Thanks for the advice, I was wondering if everyone thought I was stupid because noone had replied. What kind of gas mileage can I expect from a mild 350 with the setup you discussed? Have you had any problems with your car since the engine swap?

 

I'm getting about 12mpg (mostly in town) with a Crane Compucam 2030, Tremec TKO transmission, 3.73 gears and a bit of a lead foot. This is with bigger injectors, 18+ psi of fuel pressure and almost 320 hp at the flywheel.
A milder setup with higher rear gears should be able to get much better mileage (18-20)
I bought a crate motor from Autocenter in TX.

http://www.goautocenter.com/300hp_tpi_1987-89.htm

All new gm parts (plus above cam) with warrantee.
I have over 25,000 miles on it in 14 months and it's been as reliable as the 305 ever was. Torque eventually finished off my second T5 trans, though., so I recently swapped in the Tremec.
(still a 5 speed)
-Rich-

 

A question rich. When you did the swap, is it still 50 state legal? I have a 91' which I am actually wanting to put a 355 in. My biggest concern, being in cali, is smog. -Thanx-

Dave

 

My 350 passes smog in CA as a 305 (with the stock air cleaner on it for the visual inspection).
-Rich-

 

hey you guys.. if you are into rebuilt engines.. go here.. these guys are good and will build you whatever you need.. i ordered a 350 short block from them 2 days ago..

www.unitedengine.com

very good prices.. and they take Cores..

remember these are rebuilt engines..not new ones..