Hey everyone new member here:lala:
anyways u have a 87 v6 2.8L firebird and i wanna swap to a 305 or a 350 im way to inexperienced to install it so im gonna bring it to a place that specializes in swapping engines couple towns awau anyway i was just whondering im searchin for one now any tips or suggestions on what to look for and anyone who has succesfully done this tell me hows it working for your car thanks

I know you're new around here, but you really need to look over previous posts before you ask a question like this.

As the forum title & description indicate, it is done often and by many. Results vary, but the best way to do it is to have a complete donor factory V8 car to get all the needed parts.

I hope you're made out of money, because paying someone to do this hobbist's task is going to cost more than you probably paid for the car. That's assuming you bring them all the parts...

before you know it theres gonna be a "how to swap a v6 to v8" forum...

what about from a 2.8 to 3.4

2.8 to 3.4 is easy, You use all your previous stuff, including wiring and intake, just keep the 3.4's injectors and a few other things, you can't even tell the difference visually with a 3.4 swap.

whats the largest engine i can go without changing much

You should really be specific, you want a v8? Want to keep it a v6? I mean, thats a pretty broad question :P. Check the sticky on the boards and check out the lt1 & ls1 swap, not terribly difficult, but if you don't want to modify anything just go 3.4.

well i really wanted a v8 would i have to change alot of the cars parts

Once you do a search you will see what your up against.Its not really practical to do this your self let alone pay to have it done.You will have to change everything from the radiator on back to the driveshaft.You could just go buy a 5.7 IROC there so cheap anymore.

that's not totally correct. Search the board freestylin, there's a couple of recent posts about this. Start looking for v8 donor cars. Check the classifieds. I found a whole engine and tranny at the classifieds here at thirdgen.

i changed the radiator but kept the driveshaft. I read the v6 and v8 driveshafts were the same.

Well, you dont need to change that much, its not even hard, little difference in going v6 to v8 as going v8 to v8. Need motor clamshells for a v8, v8 motor mounts, v8 accessories, and an extra fan relay with a dual fan setup, woopdie doo. Thats considering you get another v8 out of a thirdgen. I know my 91 v6 came with the same size radiator as a v8 so I doubt you'll need to change that, I swear I need to write an article about the v6 to v8 because everyone saying there are tons of parts is just bleh.

Yes the v6 and v8 driveshafts are the same.

Oh forgot one thing, you'll need a new exhaust setup, but hell i'd do that going v8 to v8 anyways.

so ill have to change basically the engine obviously the exhaust the radiator alot more things or....

what about the sway bars struts, springs,s hocks and other suspension items? Do they ned changed to to handle a little more weight and power?

also anyone know any books i can buy that explain every step on what to replace and how to do everything

again, this has just been discussed but it is recomended to at least change the springs.

There are some people here that have done it and others who havent and just describe their car feeling loose around the corners.

I'm leaving my v6 springs in the car far now. I'm more concerned about getting my engine running lol. I can deal with a loose suspension for a while.

so youve done the engine swap

yes

http://members.cardomain.com/91redrs

any tips for me swappin from a 2.8l to a 5.0l

YEah use the search button, this has been talked about a million times.

so for the swap ill need the engine,main caps,rods,cylinder heads,700R4 trans,new suspension anything else im missing

At the risk that you're a troll trying to use up our bandwidth and make us look stupid, I'll assume you're serious with that last question.

"main caps,rods,cylinder heads" are part of the engine. You get a V8 engine, it'll have those things.

Repeat: The best way to do a V6 to V8 swap is to buy a donor car that came from the factory with V8. Then change everything from the donor car to the V6 car that is different. The things that are different will include radiator, accessory components such as air conditioning, alternator and power steering on or that go to the engine, wiring harness, fuel lines, radiator and heater hoses, air cleaner/intake system, exhaust, transmission, throttle cables, front springs, front sway bar, front engine mounts, front brake line, computer, sensors, tachometer.

If you are not mechanically experienced, this list should scare you off. If you can find a shop that isn't scared off by this list, they are either incompetent or will charge you more than what it would cost you to go out and get a car that already has a V8 in it.

I don't know how to make this message more clear.

so if i want the engine i should just sell my car and save up for a V8 firebird

You could get Pasky and Erin91RS to do your swap for you.Heck its so easy and you really dont have to change much.Piece of cake,They would probably have it swapped out and running in a day.Pasky could then write his book " v6 to V8"' you dont have to change hardly anything".Freestylin they would probably do it for a case of Beer.Why spend the bucks for a pro when on this board there is abundant talent.

i live in the Boston area in MASS.