I'm new to this forum and an avid lover of Camaros. Ever since I was a little kid riding in my uncles 1991 Z28 I wanted one. I finally bought an RS about 2 years ago and am having some trouble with the engine. I would like to replace it with a new engine and would like to know how to go about replacing the tired 305 with a 350 that won't break my pocket book. What are some things that I would have to do to accomplish this task as far as getting it smogged or going to a referee station? I have access to a cherry picker and tools to do the work with my friends. Will the 350 bolt right in? Can I use the same wiring harness? What would I have to replace for the swap to go smoothly? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I thought I would come on here and consult with the pro's before I go out and do something stupid and get ripped off. Thanks again for your input!

Thing that are nice to know. Where do you lie, s do yo havestrict emisions. How much money are we looking at. Do you want a lope. How old is your transmission. What do you think is best?

I have around $3000 to work with... My 700R4 is rebuilt with less than 2000 miles on it. I'm looking to get a decent increase in horsepower without going crazy. I just want something to get me from point A to B with some power and style.

Well if you want to do something like that, find a used L05, the 350 version of the L03 (your motor, if you didn't know) and throw some vortec heads on, a nicer cam and tune the prom. The reason I say this is so you can keep your wiring harness. Of course you could eliminate that altogether and do carb. But yes, any Gen 1 SBC should bolt right in. I dunno about smog cuz I don't have to worry about it so someone else will have to chime in on that subject.

If you have $3000.00 to work with, and you're worried about smog/swap laws.... you're best bet, would be to find a donor car (preferably one that was wacked in the back, not the front, obviously)

Any newer engine, from that particular model (Camaro) is 50 state smog/swap legal, provided you have the complete wiring, and smog equipment in-tact. But most of us remove it anyways (after you get you're inspection sticker of course).

I've seen some LOW mileage mid 90's LT1 Camaro's (that were in pretty bad accidents), with the drivetrain in-tact, selling for around 2-4 grand. You might get lucky, not to mention.... getting the car with the ECM, Harness, as well as everything else you'll need in one shot.

My .02 cents

Good Luck.....

Are there any crate engines I can buy that doin't require me to switch my wiring harness? I'd like to have a warranty on the engine if I can. The problem is, I don't have the time like I wish do to work on my car and tune it up. I need something that I can spend a weekend or a week at the most, putting in and running smoothly. Maybe I'm asking for too much, but is it possible?

Does anybody think this is a good deal? Has anyone ever done business with this company?

http://www.rebuilt-auto-car-engines....-350RLB-4.html

I haven't heard of them.

All the words are right, and the price is good. No tin, but you can use what you've got. You'll have to pay shipping, and core charge if they won't take your 305 in exchange. Information about the head casting #'s is contradictory (083's are the "good" heads, but the notes indicate 193 as well - unless they're saying they use 083 heads, and they are acceptable replacements for 193's). They need to make up their mind between carb & TPI as well.

I'd think the new Caprice engine from SDPC is at least as good a choice as the chances you'd be taking on that rebuilt.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it! Is that Caprice engine the same that was standard with the Z28's back in my year (1991) ? Would I be able to use my wiring harness? I'd have to buy a new TPI right and get rid of my TBI... I need to make a list of everything I need to do to make this happen. I also live in California where smog laws suck! Anybody else live in CA that did an engine swap?