Hey guys I've been reading the posts and have seen alot of problems arise when swaping enigines. I was wondering i have a 92 RS with the 3.1L in it, and i dont know a whole lot about cars but i want to start building a new engine, i was just wondering what would be the easiest 350 to put in there, like what should i be looking for any suggestions would be great thanks

 

Suggestion: When swapping from a V6 to a V8, aquire a V8 parts car.

 

Do not just try and drop a V8 in.

You need to do some suspension work (as I understand it), and your tranny wont hold up to a v8.

So get a parts car. But dont be discouraged, they are cheap.

 

Easiest, cheapest, best, most effective way to swap a 350 into a 6-cyl car, making sure you don't miss any hidden little parts or any gotchas anywhere, in 2 easy steps:

• 1. Sell the 6-cylinder car to somebody that doesn't care how slow it is.
• 2. Buy a 350 car; or a 305 5-speed one, and change that to a 350.

I know it sounds harsh, but that's just the way it is.

 

if im gonna get a parts car should i get a 92 or justneed another 3rd gen

 

I have done this exact swap. I made a website for my car and I have a page on there that lists a few of the problems that I ran into. I did it a little different than you though. I converted from a MPFI 2.8 V6 to a carburetored 350. But if you check out my site, you will know what issues apply to you. I hope this info helps, because some of these issues wouldn't be caught unless someone told you.

http://mcas7.tripod.com

That is my site, check it out if you want.

 

I agree with Midnight Sun. You just don't drop a V8 into a late model car. Unfortunatly, that was reserved for the precomputer cars. I just completed this project with my '91 RS, and it's not for the faint of heart. However, the reward is sweet. I also agree with the others on suggesting a donor car. It makes the swap easier and cheaper. And yes, definetly try to find a 90-92 donor. Just so you'll know what your getting into....here is a list of the only items you will be able to reuse. A/C compressor, smog pump(Slightly modified), p/s pump(replace pully), ECM(replace chip with V8 type), and the drive shaft. And here is a list of what you will replace. Start with the radiator and keep going all the way to the tranny. And don't forget to replace and remove the motor mounts and the tranny crossmember. There are many reasons for the swap. I did it because I couldn't find a descent v8 model for less than $5,500, and most were ragged out. So, I opted to find a "sheep in fox clothes" for less money and better chance of not being ragged out. Then proceed to do the swap for an additional $2,500. Someone also mentioned suspension upgrades. I only replaced the front springs(V8 donor car). One unexpected perk was the 3:42 factory 3.1 V6 rear diff. gear ratio that works great with V8 swap. I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any further details.

 

OK sounds good thanks just wondering if i really have to deal with all that computer crap that goes along with it cause it seems to be pretty challenging...

 

You will have to deal with the computer stuff in one form or another. You will either have to deal with its removal or the installation of new FI hardware.

Fuel injection is not as hard to understand as you would think. There are more parts yes. But once it is setup and working it is not that hard.

I bought my TPI car knowing very little about them. I had to do alot of work on it when I got it with very little knowledge about the TPI system. I learned so much by working with it. Now I am confident that any one with basic mechanical apptitudes can learn to do it.

Also depending on where you live you may have to keep the computer. Some states are very strict on this. For emissions testing and what not some states have gone so far as to say you can not install an older powerplant into a newer car and things of that nature.

For example Texas state law says that a fuel injected car has to stay fuel injected. If your car is equipped with smog pump and egr you must keep them.

In some of the smaller counties in Texas it isn't a problem due to the fact that they may not require the sniffer test. However most are going to in the near future. Hope this helps.