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universal 350 crate swap ??s

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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 10:25 PM
  #1  
transam84's Avatar
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universal 350 crate swap ??s

I am thinking about putting a GM Universal 350 crate motor in my 86 T/A and pitching the 305 carbed motor. this crate motor is only $1,300, and for the price it is not a bad upgrade. my questions are this:
#1 do I use the 305's Harmonic balancer on the 350??
#2 can I use the same flex plate thats on the 305 on the 350??
#3 can I use the 305's starter on the 350?? not sure if the 350 has a stagered bolt pattern for the starter.
#4 can I use the 305's distributor and hook that along with everything else up to the 305's computer?? if so do I need the computer to be modified for the 350??
for the time being I would prob just use the 305's intake and carb until I would get some more money saved up for a performer intake and better carb.
if there is something I am missing here please chime in. this car is for a daily driver in the summer, I already have a 383 stroker T/A so I do not need another high hp car, just a good dependable cruiser.

Last edited by transam84; Oct 25, 2006 at 10:35 PM.
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 11:18 PM
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most small blocks are created equal, the distributors going to work, the computer is set up for a 305 though so i dont know if thats going to work, the intake works as well, almost all the outside items will work, for the starter, im going to guess since it lists a high torque starter for sbc that they should all work, but they sell different starters for different clearance issues under the car.
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 12:29 PM
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Originally Posted by transam84
I am thinking about putting a GM Universal 350 crate motor in my 86 T/A and pitching the 305 carbed motor. this crate motor is only $1,300, and for the price it is not a bad upgrade.
That's the 260 horse version. Have you considered the 290 horse version?
my questions are this:
#1 do I use the 305's Harmonic balancer on the 350??
Yes, but the timing marks won't line up. I'd just get a new one, no more than they cost.
#2 can I use the same flex plate thats on the 305 on the 350??
No, the '86 engine has a one-piece rear main seal, and the Goodwrench engine has a 2-piece. You need a $25 153-tooth flexplate.
#3 can I use the 305's starter on the 350?? not sure if the 350 has a stagered bolt pattern for the starter.
Yes, with the above-mentioned 153-tooth flexplate.
#4 can I use the 305's distributor and hook that along with everything else up to the 305's computer?? if so do I need the computer to be modified for the 350??
It will run it just fine without modification. I'd suggest a better coil and ignition module, and fresh plugs, wires, cap, and rotor.
for the time being I would prob just use the 305's intake and carb until I would get some more money saved up for a performer intake and better carb.
The intake will be fine. There isn't a better carb. The carb secondary AV, rods & hanger are good things to tune up, even on a stock LG4.
if there is something I am missing here please chime in. this car is for a daily driver in the summer, I already have a 383 stroker T/A so I do not need another high hp car, just a good dependable cruiser.
The stock exhaust and air cleaner are really lame, and are going to hold back the performance even in regular street driving. Consider upgrades there while you're at it.

You should also get a 350 knock sensor and module.

You're basically considering a tame version of what I've done.

Last edited by five7kid; Oct 26, 2006 at 12:33 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 04:02 PM
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five7kid, I just looked at the 290 version. that might work pretty good !! thanks for the heads up on that one. you wouldn't know a ballpark $figure on a Knock sensor and module would you, I assume any dealership would have these right??? I am just trying to figure out total costs here.
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 04:59 PM
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five7kid's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I got mine from gmpartsdirect.com . I believe they were a little over $100 for the two. Dealers were about 30-50% higher.
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 08:01 PM
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From: Orange, SoCal
Car: 1990 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI siamesed runners
Transmission: Tremec T56
Axle/Gears: 12-Bolt 3.73
That GM Goodwrench cheapie crate engine is not for performance cars. It has crappy heads, a crappy cam, and crappy compression. Its 350 cubic inches with the power of a 305. Remember, that's 250 HP GROSS, not net. That means without accessories, without exhaust, etc. Once you put those on it, its probably more like 200 HP or less.
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 09:53 PM
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Send me a link to that 350?
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 01:11 AM
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five7kid's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Originally Posted by Kevin91Z
That GM Goodwrench cheapie crate engine is not for performance cars. It has crappy heads, a crappy cam, and crappy compression. Its 350 cubic inches with the power of a 305. Remember, that's 250 HP GROSS, not net. That means without accessories, without exhaust, etc. Once you put those on it, its probably more like 200 HP or less.
Don't forget the originator's goals:
Originally Posted by transam84
this car is for a daily driver in the summer, I already have a 383 stroker T/A so I do not need another high hp car, just a good dependable cruiser.
That's what makes the Goodwrench engine an acceptable choice. With exhaust and air cleaner upgrades, it will be just fine for the intended purpose. You could argue that a 305 with the same upgrades would be as well, but the 290 HP Goodwrench in particular will make more power than a 305 with the same upgrades, and certainly have more potential with future upgrades (such as porting the 305 heads, installing 1.94" intake valves, and putting them on top of it).
----------

Last edited by five7kid; Oct 27, 2006 at 01:15 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 11:40 AM
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From: Stillwater, OK
GM Performance Parts 350 C.I.D. 290 HP Engine Assemblies: NAL-12499529 - summitracing.com

290 HP
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 11:03 PM
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can you use tpi system with these motors?
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 02:01 PM
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five7kid's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
It's been done.
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Old Nov 16, 2006 | 08:08 AM
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From: San Diego, CA
Car: 1984 Z28 ~Brown Horse~
Engine: 305 V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23...i dunno...
if anybody is interested, jegs sells the motor for a hundred less...
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