I'm sure it's been written here already - I've done a search, but I haven't found the answers I'm looking for.

I have a 1987 Firebird with the 2.8L. I want to go to the 5.0. I would do the 5.7 but I really want this to be a stick. Seeing as how this will be my first swap - I want it to be a little easy. Also, I don't have a garage.

I have found the 305, the manual tranny for it and computer harness for $600. All from the same car, all in really nice shape. 1988 Camaro. And the dash from a 1987 5.0 Firebird

First, how hard is it going to be to get the 2.8 out?
2nd, what can I use off the 2.8 for the 5.0?
3rd, what can I throw out? Like A/C and so on.
Still has to pass Cali/NY smog laws and be road legal.

I'm not out to make a monster of a car. Just something that looks good, runs good and is better than this 2.8 I have right now. Later, I will make it a BEAST. I sort of want to do one simple engine swap as a learning experience. I'd like to keep this experience around $1000.

Oh, and is there a step by step book on GM swapping? Sounds lame, but I really want to do this myself and do it right.

 

Actually most of the questions you did ask come up all the time. But for simplicity sake I will answer what I can.

First, how hard is it going to be to get the 2.8 out?

With an engine hoist and the tools it's not hard at all.

2nd, what can I use off the 2.8 for the 5.0?

Not much. You need new front springs, motor mounts, fuel components, computer, flywheel, wiring accessory brackets, belts.

3rd, what can I throw out? Like A/C and so on.

I am not sure I understand what you are asking.

Still has to pass Cali/NY smog laws and be road legal.

This can be a problem. I have no idea what the engine swap laws are out there. But you can always find some shady guy to pass you anyway. A couple 20's go along way.

Swapping from a 2.8 to a 5.0 or 5.7 can be done. Best thing to do is either sell your car and buy a V-8 car, or buy a V-8 car and swap your 2.8 cars interior and body stuff over to the V-8 car.
Or buy a complete V-8 car and pull everything you need off of it.

To clear up one other thing there are people on the board here that are using the T-5 with the 350. They just didn't come from the factory that way. They can hold up. You just shouldn't be too rough on it.

If you want a strong manual transmission you should go with a T-56. However the auto to manual swap is a pain if you have never done this kind of work before.

Another bonus is that if you buy a V-8 car and use your V-6 car to make it nice or use the money from your V-6 car to buy and fix some of the V-8 car you can stay emissions legal. Hope this helps.

 

wow. thanks.