Ok, I'm sure there are millions of these posts, but this post is a two parter, i'm putting an 85 350 (TPI) z28 motor into my 88 base camaro.

1. I need a rebuild kit for my 85 350 (TPI) motor from a z28. I dont know what I need or any of the sizes. What all do i need in the kit, or can you give me a link to get a kit?

2. Is there a wiring harness i can buy for the 350 TPI online? I dont have one. i have the computer, but no wiring.

3. Besides new motor mounts, what else do i need? I have a new tranny covered. Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks.

 

you will need a v8 speedo set up. new front springs to support the weight of the v8( the 6 spings mayl work but it will lower the front of the car. also may effect handling as well. and i heard different opinions about the rear. some say its not strong enough for a v8. and some say it is. i was going to do v8 swap on another firebird i had and after i heard about all the work involved i just dropped a 3.
4 in my regular firebird and sold the 1 firebird i was going to build. alot of work good luck..

 

You're right, there are millions of them...

Look up the old posts, I know that they cover question 3 in detail. I would expect that painless wiring makes the harness that you would need. Also try ebay and classifieds and such.

 

v8 speedo setup

maybe you mean a v8 tach....

a 10 bolt rear from a v6 is the same strength as one from a v8 car.

i highly doubt the v6 to v8 swap is any more work really then a 3.4 swap

 

if u have any questions, dont be afraid to post, there are many many ppl that have done this swap. i am one of them . :lala:

 

a v8 is alot more work than a 3.4 swap. the 2.8 parts bolt right onto a 3.4( the intake plenum and etc. just basic bolt ons and therefore you dont have to change the computer, harness, (when i was refering to speedo i was talking about guages), and tranny, just swap a few parts and your good to go. alot easier and cheaper. karl can back this one up as well. see the 3.4 swap boogie in the tech forums all i was doing was giving him an option if he didnt have the money and if he still wanted to pass a smog test.

 

Speedo gears are no problem and my speedometer will work just fine. My rear end is plenty as it is a 10 bolt and i've seen massive power put to a 10 bolt with no problems.

I have eibach lowering springs it lowers the car about 1.75" already, they are not stock springs, the rear coils are however, i wanted the "*** in the air hot rod" look. Will the eibach springs be ok?

What about the radiator? I just got a new one for the 2.8 (last year). Or will i need a bigger one?

So what rebuild kit should i get? This is the answer i really need.

Thanks to you guys. :hail:

 

you ned the v8 radiator.

 

correct me if im wrong but GM used the same radiater for the v6 and v8s.

 

You're wrong. Only the later years with inlet (upper) on the driver's side and outlet (lower) on the passenger side were the same as V8s.

Slaye,
Try http://www.northernautoparts.com/Pro...uctModelId=712 . What size depends upon the level of wear of the engine. Very typical is .010" undersize bearings and .030" oversize pistons and rings. This will require sending the crank and block to a machine shop. The hypereutectic flattop pistons at the bottom of the page would be a very wise upgrade.

By the way, 1985 3rd gens didn't get 350 TPIs. Exactly what engine do you have?

 

Sorry, I am incorrect, the 87 camaros frist came with the 350, i was just informed by a vin check that the motor was no where near wha ti was told.

1G1FP87H0FL427596

It's a 305 4BBL I was told it was a 350 TPI. some people have big imaginations.

 

i thought the 350s didnt come in fbodies until 87. i learned something new

 

350's didn't come in 3rd gens until 1987 model year. Hence my question.

Slaye,
You never said exactly why you were going to do an engine rebuild. Unless you have known problems with the 305, go ahead and run it as it is. Very often the valve stem seals are kaput on these cars, so replacing them may be worthwhile along with various seals/gaskets. But, to do a rebuild of the lower end is hard to justify HP/$'s wise. (If you check 85 H car on the Northern Auto site above, the base rebuild kit is $130 more, for example).

If it really needs a lower end rebuild, then use the engine for accessory parts (like engine-side mounts, alt, PS, etc.), but find yourself a 350 core and build it up instead.

 

The prob is, I need the motor in my car so I can get it on the road. I know that the motor has been abused, so I want to replace what I can.

I will have to live with a 305 for now. I just gotta get it back on the road.

Can I use the motor mounts from my V6 or do I have to move them or what? I havent gotten any answers really.

 

Good condition strong running 3rd Gen V8 Powered F Bodies can be had for as little as $1500.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS DANCE?
IF ya got all this stuff for free, that helps BUT, sell it all and just buy a running car & go have much more fun!
IF your project NEEDS BE smog legal at the end result, ya might as well know, that in the VIN is a code that calls out if V8 or V6 powered originally.
IF that detail matters to your state & the laws.
With what ya spending to do what you thinking, dump everything & go buy a running 3rd Gen F Body V8 powered ride.
You'll save TONS of money this way.
And have WAY MORE FUN in the end!
PS 3.4 powered rides are a great great alternative, only to get better when the street legal headers from Pace Setter become available.
BUT again, the power will NEVER equal a V8 engine.
And ya JUST MAY start winnning more races than ya imagined!

 

MY original plan was to go with a turbo 3.4, but i decided to invest my cash since I came apon this car. Why cant anyone just give me an answer?

Where can i find a rebuild kit for a 305 motor, and what should i look for when it comes to sizes (piston rings, etc)?

And no, my camaro is registered in AZ where they dont require smog.

 

You are getting answers, just not what ya wanna hear.
800-831-0884 Norhtern Auto Parts Ask them for the engine answers
But why spend money on only a 305 when 350s are all over for near free for rebulding cores, too.
Arizona does require smog.
You saying you're in an area that does not require smog checks?

Still it's way cheaper to just find a car that was a V8, steal all the parts ya need for conversion & have at it.
Anything can be done with a big hammer and a bigger wallet and lots of time.
Most people here tend to do a well engineered swaps.

 

Arizona requires smog in Pheonix and 1 other major city (i think it's tuson, but not sure). I'm registered in Bullhead City where I bought my camaro with no smog pump, the muffler shops would have done anything i asked (unlike cali, damn guys).

I'm limited on what i can do, and i can rebuild the 305 and use it, i have my 88 to use for the body and the donor car had a chainsaw taken to it, so it's not usable. I cant get a 350 right now due to my situation, this 305 is available to me now. I dont plan to do a "chop job" as you described, but i'm sure it wont be perfect.

I'm not trying to be ungreatful, but I get this every forum i go to, I ask for 'x' and I get a million reasons why 'y' is better. I appreciate the help and I will try to post results when i'm done.

Thanks for the help.

 

Don't BANK on AZ always being "smog free"!
NY state & Connecticut have now gone to the California Fuel Blend situation (the cleanest buring fuel in the states) thus this action will be driving up the cost of CA fuel.
Can your chosen machinist locate a 350 block for ya at a nominal charge?
End result, ya spending "literally same $$$ for a 305 or a 350 engine rebuild kit".
Swapping out the V6-V8 stuff is a "major" undertaking.
As long as you are wrecking yard shopping, don't discount seeking out the right F Body to lavish on your talents.
Northern Auto sells Chevy rebuild kits for as low as $150 - $200. 800-831-0884
I helped someone in Phoenix (via internet with suggestions) on smog testing.
PS IF ya swap over to a carb V8 situation, your challenge will be easier.
Just find a gas tank from an earlier F Body to remove the fuel pump problem.
Meaning regulators to lower fuel pressure from 45PSI down to 4-8PSI for carbs run about $200. I discovered this when I went fuel pressure regulator & fuel pump shopping for my 2.8-3.4 swap in the Blazer. I ended up using a $65 electric fuel pump & a $20 regulator to keep my fuel system working correctly.
Enjoy the challenge.
Others have located 3.4 running long blocks for as low as $210. It all swaps over without a true hitch, too.

 

Check the stickie at the top of the forum for the basics on the V6 to V8 swap.

 

here we are once again everyone debating on whether or not to sell the V6 and buy a V8 car. DONT DO IT! IT isnt that much work to change them over. I am finishing my project now. I took a 87 V6 car and put a V8 w/carb in. It isnt really a har thing to do, its just work. I understand that it would be noticibly more dificult if you had to follow emmisions laws, but even then, its not that bad. IF you really like THIS car, then do it. BTW, motor mounts, exhuast, radiator, tranny, Computer and harness(if injected). and some more odds and ends and you are on your way. Good Luck.

 

Thank you very much! Finally, an answer. :hail:

BTW: This car has a truck load of sentimental value to me and I'd never sell it in my life. So it's worth every penny.

 

Since the vehicle has a truck load of good moments,
seek out the LARGEST engine block for which to build your V8 powerplant.
That means a 350 block. Spend Money, spend it once & WISELY.
As I said, prior, also, go to Carb induction system.
Best thing ya can do is find a later than 1985 V8 350 Block.
That 350 engine has the bosses for the factory roller cam set up! Perhaps even your 305 does, too.
DO you know if you have a roller cammed V8 block?
Seek out old late 80's/early mid 90's V8 powered trucks in the yards or Vans, also.
Vortec heads build the best power for the cheap money, too.
Swapping chevy heads or swapping with head rebuilders using your 305 heads as barter is a simple phone call. I did that to score 1970 Z/28-LT-1 head (I needed only 1).
IF ya decide to go the Vortec head route, the intake manifold is "$pecific" not a common Chevy 4 barrel intake manifold. Reasonable price, tho.
BUT rest of goodies ya can swap/barter/trade are really common & fairly low priced. Start going to car swap meets, must be plenty out your ways.
Build the BEST V8 Chevy engine ya can from start.
305s are "ok" to use as platform but the "parts for rebuilding either a 350 or a 305" really cost almost exactly same price.
Call Northern Auto Parts 800-831-0884
or just use the website
www.northernautoparts.com
Rest of F body V6 platform to V8 power is really just pulling it from the donor car.
I was given a "VAUGE guidence" how to swap the 3.4 in my 1985 Firebird.
I wrote the "receipe" for others to share the simple demented gear head fun, not spend time wasted ripping out wasted parts. As I "had".
Redesign your V6 car, engineering, "exactly" how GM did it (V8 powered) and your final product can't be far off the desired ride.
Your rear axle will take "abuse" to a certain point. It is already the exact same axle house & majority of "guts" as a V8 powered F Body.

 

The answers to your questions about V6 -> V8 are contained in the stickie. If you haven't read the stickie yet, small wonder you keep having questions. (Have you read the stickie yet?)

Way over-stated.

But, I'll admit it is getting harder to find good factory V8 cars than it was 4 or 5 years ago. And, sentimental value is a very real factor as well. Just don't go off thinking this is a walk in the park, because it isn't.

 

i'll admit that it isnt as easy as pulling a motor and dropping in a new one, however it isnt as bad as some people would say. I think that for me the single hardest part was the fuel system. I dropped the v6 tank and removed the pump, added some line so the pickup hit the bottom of the tank and thenremoved the hard line from the drivers side and moved it to the passenger side. Had to bend the line around a little, but the holes are already on the passenger side for the brackets, its not too bad. But man, THat gas tank was BAD. I didnt opt for the donor car, instead, i went to the Pull your own yard and took pulleys, fan shroud, fan, brackets. I ordered a new radiator, bought new motor mounts. Also, if you want to switch to a TH350 there is a conversion kit that allows you to put your 700r4 tailshaft onto the th350. This allows you to use your driveshaft and torque arm as they cam from the factory. If you have any specific questions, contact me, I'll be glad to offer any help that I can.

 

I have the v6 motor out and i'll be removing all of the wiring soon. Dustin@700R4.com is my e-mail address. I wont be going to a 350, 700R4 all the way. What is your e-mail address? Thanks.