Hi Guys

I am in the process of getting my hands on an old chevy van, why? you may ask? it has a 350 motor that I want to drop into my 3rd gen Camaro (305 carb).

This is my first attempt at a motor swap of this magnitude, i've done a couple of 4 cylinder motors when I was in England.

What I really need help with is the computer delete. I want to remove the ECM, related equipment, and emissions hardware.
I want the engine bay as clean as possible with as little clutter as I can get.

This is still going to be a daily driver, and whilst I want reasonable performance, i'm more into the look of the thing as priority. Gas consumption is not really that much of an issue since I moved to this country (I was paying $6 - $7 a gallon in England).

I believe I will need a different carb and distributor (what is the difference between CC and none CC, and how can you tell them apart?), and I have plans for a set of headers and maybe a slightly racier cam.
I am planning to use the heads off my 305 with porting and polishing and, when finances allow, maybe a mild NOS kit.

I'm looking for some input from you guys in the know:
advice on the ECM/emissions delete, what I can and can't remove.
recomendations and/or web links for the carb/distributor/cam/headers.
Any pitfalls I should be aware of?

I know i'm going to have to dig deep into my purse for what I want to do, but I would like to do this as cheaply as possible and keep it streetable. I'm hoping you will help me with this, i've tried a couple of searches on the threads, but most of the info is for fuel injection motors.

So come on guys, load up this post with all your vast knowledge so that I and numerous others can gather up info from the pro's and can then post pics of our pride and joy!

Take care, be good....
Sara Lou

 

CC (Compter Controlled) CARBS are recognized by their electrical solenoids located both on top.... and in front, of the quadrajet CARB. You can still use these types, regardless if their hooked up or not (you'll just have to adjust the mixture, and idle speed screws to work with you're new set-up)....

You'll also need a vacuum controlled, non-computerized distributor. You want the advancing/retarding controlled by engine vacuum.... and not by the ECM pulse (especially since it's removed now), other wise you'll get that notorious spark knock, and the car will run terrible!

Everything else should work fine....

 

there may be a few other things to remember, first we need some more info on the car it's going in, I.E. tranny type,year.

if its a auto tranny (with overdrive) you will need some means of engaging the overdrive since the computer won't be doing it for you and you can't run without it (very bad on tranny), both summit and jegs sells a kit that does this based on engine vacuum, some people have manual switches to do it but I am not a fan of them because you have to remember to switch it on and off.

there may be a difference in the rear seals between the two motors (depending on age), if there is you will need a flexplate/flywheel (whichever) that will fit the motor that's going in.

also the computer controls the cooling fans (on some years) so you will need to make allowences for that.

as far as headers go, it's pretty much your call on how much you want to spend. you can get some nice ceremic coated shorties and spend as much as 300 or 400 for them or you can get a set of summit cheapies for about $80.00. just remember that it's more than just headers, on a performance 350 you will probably need to do the entire exhaust system.

the distributors are also on both ends of the realm, you can get a stock vacuum HEI from a parts store for about $120.00 or you can get a msd pro-billet for about $300.00 or so.

as STREET LETHAL has said you could use the computer carb but I wouldn't do it, I would go for the Holley street avenger series, probably around a 670 cfm or so unless you plan on racing it then maybe go for the Holley 750 DP, but watch out for gas milage.

 

Hi Guys

Thanks ever so much for all the info, it helps a great deal, nice to know you are prepared to take the time to help novices.

My vehicle is an '87 standard base model 3rd gen Camaro, 305 carb, auto trans and totally stock at the moment, the donor van I have very little info on at the moment, it belongs to a guy who I used to work with but he got fired and his van is still sat in the yard cause the steering broke on him and he may junk it rather than pay to have it removed.

Do you have any links to sites that you feel would be helpful (and preferably cheap) I have Jegs and Summit.

I have read a few posts on here concerning torque lock-up, but it's a little bit of a grey area for me, i'm not exactly sure what a lock-up is or does, only had stick shifts in England, so i'd be grateful if you could expand on this matter.

I like the sound of the summit cheapie headers (my kind of price range), any info on how good they are? will I gain anything using these?. Also, the exhaust systems i've looked at have been "cat back" which I assume are from the Cat rearwards, what should I be looking for to be "headers back" i.e. no cat installed?

Is the 'stock vacuum HEI' from the local parts store worth considering or are they more trouble than they are worth bearing in mind the rest of the modifications, also would this be a universal fitting or would I need to specify a particular vehicle when ordering?.

Thanks
Take care, be good...
Sara Lou

 

Hi Guys

Just a quick update:

All ideas, dreams and possibilities have currently been shelved and put on hold...

On thursday my boss had one of his schizophrenic tantrums and tried shouting at me.
Well after I finished telling him what to do with his job and where it would fit... needless to say, i'm now unemployed.

Anyway, for now i'm just gathering information, advice and guidance until I can find another job and get the pennies rolling in again.

Take care, be good....
Sara Lou