Hey what's up? I have a 1986 Firebird with the original 305 in it. I had a custom built 350 turn key motor that I want to drop in it. I'm trying to track down any manuals or anything that will assist me in doing this as this will be the first time I've done it. The new engine will produce about 355HP, so does anyone have any input as too what else I might need to do to the car? Thanks!

 

thiers really no set manual for it. it is very simple once you start doing it though. all you have to do is remove all the elctrical wireing and tuck it back tward your windshield. unbolt the exhaust and the drive shaft, then the torque arm. drain all the fluids hook up your cherry picker and jack the engine up just enough to take the weight off the mounts pull out the through bolts on the motor mounts then unbolt the crossmember from the tranny and lift the engine out. install in reverse order and possibly use the bfh method if needed. oh yea dont forget to replace your motor mounts those stock ones from 1986 have to be shot mine from a stock 1991 firebird looked horrible. install is a bit more complicated just because you have to get the engine to sit on the mounts and make sure you install your new mounts the right way they can be put in backwards and the engine will not bolt back in that was a 4hr screw up when i did my swap a few weeks ago.

 

Driver59,

If your keeping the computer or need to PASS an emissions test there are a couple items you may need to change like the Knock Sensor but otherwise it should be a pretty straight forward deal. The only possible hitch would be the 2-Piece or 1-Piece rear main seal problem some of the guys have had to deal with. If your installing the same configuration as stock you've got NO worries there. Otherwise you may need to swap flywheels.......

There shouldn't be anything else needed. The stock Tranny, Rear, and all the other components shouldn't have any problem handling a 350 with 355 HP. It's actually pretty darn easy to do.... PROVIDED YOU DO A LITTLE PLANNING.

Ripping and tearing and BFH will just get you into trouble. If you get in a Jam STOP and post a quick note and someone will promptly provide assistance..... they did for me & my son when we were working on his 305---> 350 Swap.

I would STRONGLY suggest labeling EVERY WIRE, and using an organized method of tracking your nuts, bolts, etc. For those who have done a multiple swaps they're familiar with which bolts go where and so forth.... the rest of us need to be EXTREMELY ORGANIZED. I would even suggest taking a note pad to the car with you and jotting down a few notes as you disassemble items.

Kurt