I've got a 1986 Camaro, base model, currently has a 2.8L engine in it, and would like to swap in the 301 4.9L from a 1979 Buick Regal. Anyone ever done this swap before? Any idea how difficult (relatively) this will be? The Regal can donate any and all parts, including wiring harness and transmission.
Thanks in advance for any help...
(I've attached a picture of the Camaro in case anyone's interested.)

 

Unavoidable pain is one thing. Self-inflicted is another.

You're talking about a knife in each hand - engine swap starting with a V6 car (I learned the hard way, before I knew about this site), and putting in an engine/transmission for which the car was never designed.

Best pain killer would be to get what you can out of the two cars, and go buy a factory V8 car.

 

IIRC the 301 was a Pontiac motor. But it hardly matters.

The small V8s of the late 70s were the ultimate POSs of all time as far as performance went. For a couple of years there, the CAFE requirements really sent the Big 3 (or the Big 2 and the Little 2 at the time) over the edge. They produced some of the most absolutely most gutless creations ever, in vast numbers, just to squeeek by the unrealistic Federal mandates that took effect right about then.

It doesn't fit the car. No transmission is made that will both bolt to it and fit the car.

It would be an unbelievable amount of maze you'd have to run; and when you got done, it would probably be slower than your six-cylinder. You'd have spent an unbelievable amount of money to go slower.

I would not advise it, unless you're more bored than I've ever been, and have unlimited funding and access to junkyards.

 

There is a BOP adapter Jegs or Summit sells cheap, might work for the tranny part. However everyone is correct about the engines being a POS.
If you go to the fiero forum (www.fiero.nl) you will learn alot about what it takes to shoe horn a engine that never belonged into your car. That probably will change your mind.
A much better choice would be a 305. They are a dime a dozen.

 

Well, considering the transmission in the car currently doesn't work, I highly doubt I'd be going less fast using the 301. I've looked for 305s and 350s with matching transmissions and they really aren't a dime a dozen around here, or anywhere near. If you can find me a 305 and a transmission for this car, and will trade it for the Buick, I'd probably do it, but for now, this is what I have to work with. Thanks for the Fiero link, dennis6, I'll check that out.

 

don't waste your time. the 301 is garbage with virtually no aftermarket support.

 

I doubt you are going to get anyone to trade. Watch ebay for the 305. I have seen them go for 90 dollars complete with carb.
You can get a 305 from nearly any V8 GM vehicle made from 1970-1990. This includes old pick up trucks. The 700R4 tranny was used in alot of vehicles also.
The fiero board has alot of people who cram engines into a car that never was designed for it, so they should be able to help. They have put Quad4's, 3.1, 3.4, 3.8, 3800, 3800SC,4.3 V6, 4.5 Caddy, 4.9 Caddy, 350, LT1, LS1, and Northstar engines into a car that only had a 2.5L Iron duke or 2.8L v6.

 

the 301 isnt garbage enless u know someone who knows what there doing. the master tech at work had a 79 TA with the 301 in it and he used to be able to smoke 400's and other stuff back in the day. the motor was built by a SCCA race the only problem he had with it was the q-jet was out of tune and after the master tech rebuilt the carb he had a very fast stock lookin car that would smoke most things on the road.

 

maybe back in the day...you wont' find people now that will touch it. Plus like I said there is virtually no aftermarket support for it. It's not worth the time, effort or money to swap it in. Now if he wanted to swap in a REAL BOP motor, that's different

 

The 4.9 Turbo Motors were kinda interesting in the Trans Ams...

 

The 301 was a POS... the 403 was the same POS on 'roids.