I know this has been posted over a thousand times but hey i'll make it a thousand and one.

I have an 88 Camaro with a 305 that is for all intensive purposes dead. I want to swap it out for a 350 TBI. What will I need to do this swap? Will everything from my 305 bolt on to the new engine? Am I going to need a 2nd cooling fan? And will I need a new computer for a 350? Your answers and suggestions are appreciated...thanks guys.

 

TGO welcomes you!

You will not need a second cooling fan and everything that is currently on your 305 (TBI unit, intake, exhaust, transmission, ECM) will bolt onto your new motor.

Parts you will need.

350 TBI Injectors (there was more than one injector)
350 TBI knock sensor.
Chip work (if you go with a mild 350 (stock LO5) you can get away with a stock Caprice chip, otherwise you will need to burn your own; Additionally, off the shelf chips will not work)

Take a few minutes of your time and use the search function.

You should really look into a full exhaust that includes headers, high flow cat and a cat-back system. Otherwise, your new 350 will be horrendously choked by the stock 305 exhaust.

This is just a quick cliff notes version so check out the TBI forum for more detail.

 

Hey there. I just finished the exact swap. How are you doing on this? Did you get your questions answered? I have all the info you need such as part numbers for the stuff you will need to add to your new 350. Also, chip burning info.

 

Hey dctrumpet,

Im about to embark on the same project as the original poster (except TPI, not TBI), do you think you could post that info you have?

Or PM me, either one?

Thanks!

 

lizardkng

350 chip needs to be burned specifically for your needs. See Craig Moates at Moates.net. He's awesome to work with. More than helpful. I am still in the process of tuning mine. I am very new to this, but any info i learn I will most definitely send your way.

I honestly do not know if the parts will be the same for a TPI swap as the TBI swap.

If they are then you will need specific parts for the 350:
ESC Module
Knock Sensor
Injectors may need to be upgraded.

This is all that truly is needed in upgrading a basic 305 to a basic 350.

There are plenty of 350 tpi factory vehicles out there. I would imagine taking the ECU from most any 350 tpi camaro or firebird would work great as well as the injectors and the above listed parts.

Good luck my friend. All you really have to do is to do a search under the TPI board and engine swap board and type in the following info: 305 tpi to 350 tpi. That should get you ALL the info needed. It will take you some time to go back thru all the threads from the past few years, but it is so well worth it.

These threads and those who have posted those are worth their weight in GOLD!!!

 

The ESC module is the exact same between 305 and 350, on TBI trucks atleast. Same exact part numbers.

 

Ok. I know my 305 tbi knock sensor is different OE number than the 350 tbi trucks/ caprice etc. I am not sure what to think on the ESC.

 

Sorry, i mean ESC module is different

 

"Chip work (if you go with a mild 350 (stock LO5) you can get away with a stock Caprice chip, otherwise you will need to burn your own; Additionally, off the shelf chips will not work)"

That is a big relief but would the chip off of a GM Truck work as well or do I need a Caprice one?

 

If you are running a combo similar to a B-body LO5 (200hp range) you can use a caprice chip. It will get you buy. Truck chips are not compatable with your f-bodies ECM.

 

But I could put a GM Truck Computer in the Camaro right or am I just better off staying with a Caprice chip?

 

IMHO, It would be easier to run your stock ECM with a caprice chip. Make sure it is from an LO5 caprice and not an LO3.

 

Okay i'm sold on a Caprice Chip, but what size of injectors should I go with?