This is one of those "down the road" posts.... I'm looking into picking up a '76 Malibu that has the stock 350 engine in it and a 350 transmission. I'm not sure on the rear end, I assume it's stock. I'm gonna drive the car for a while but eventually I want to restore it and throw in a big block (my weapon of choice is the 502 Ramjet, but that's a hefty price tag, we'll see).

I was thinking of maybe keeping my 92 camaro instead of selling it, and then dropping the 350 into it. I have the 3.1 engine now. I assume the 76 350 was carb. I'd want to go TPI. I think there was a place that sold TPI conversions for $400 or $500. I had it bookmarked, but my computer's down and I'm using someone elses.

Could I use the 350 and accessories from the malibu and use the fuel injection parts off a TPI, and throw it in my 92? What about the 350 tranny?

Mathius

 

You could do better for a donor car. You'll need different engine mounts, which have to come from a factory car (no longer sold).

The tranny will be shorter and require a different crossmember and torque arm mount retrofit. You might be better off getting a 3rd gen tranny and just sell the TH350.

Have you driven the Malibu? The engine will be a dog, but not a bad base for a performance upgrade (cam & heads at least).

 

I have yet to drive the Malibu. It's an internet purchase, so I haven't had that luxury. I'm looking at it as a daily eventually, but going into it, I'm keeping in mind that it may have to be a project. I'm getting it cheap though (if I can get it), and I've wanted a 73-76 Malibu for about a year now.

I assumed the engine won't have the pep I could get out of a newer block. I was looking at it as a starting point, as you said. Basically, I was looking to kill 2 birds with one stone, finding a solution for the extra 350 I'd have lying around, and justifying a reason if I decide to keep my camaro. I was originally going to sell it and get another one down the road (preferably an earlier model for emissions reasons (still thirdgen)), because I really could use the money, but sometimes I get this itch to just strip it down and make something out of it.

Does anyone else have any helpful tidbits to add here? It's actually a turbo 350 transmission. I don't know a whole lot about them, but I've heard people say good things about them. Would I be able to get a decent dollar for it if I went with a 6 speed, or t-5 or something for the 'maro?

Thanks,
Mathius

 

"turbo 350" and TH350 are short for "Turbo Hydro 350". It was a bread & butter tranny from 1969 to 1983. They can be built up to handle pretty good power. They don't bring a lot of coin, though (neither do they cost a lot of coin to build) because they are still pretty easy to come across. The big disadvantage to them is no overdrive.

Sorry that wasn't from someone else...

 

No, it's cool. I didn't wanna imply you weren't helpful. I agree with you. I'm just looking for extra information.

Mathius