Hey, my names Jake and i own a 1986 Camaro. Currently it only has a V6 2.8L TPI but I found a V8 350 bored out to a 383 for a grand. I know my rear axle can handle it. its a 10 bolt posi i think it has 3:9's in it. so the gears might need to be swapped. i know im going to need a whole new wiring harness (which is gonna be a bitch to find let alone install) and i might need a more beefy drive shaft.

any advise on these parts? where can i get them cheep? (especially the wiring harness)

Thanks!

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

First, read the V6 to V8 sticky at the top of this forum. It basically has all the answers to the questions you're asking.

3.73:1 is the highest numerical ratio offered from the factory in 3rd gens. Most likely you have 2.73 or 3.42 gears. Of course, anything could be ordered or put in since.

10-bolts aren't particularly known for their strength. Worse yet, 5 speeds were pretty weak (and as the sticky says, your V6 T5 is not what to use behind a V8). The driveshaft is probably the strongest of the 3 pieces of the drivetrain.

(For the record, a 383 is a 350 block bored .030" over {standard rebuild bore} with a 3.75" stroke crank installed, originally used in 400 small block Chevys. The stroke of a 350 crank is 3.48". As is the 305 crank.)

 

Wow... i wish i knew that much about my car. ha. well damn... i guess im in need of just about everything. so you dont think that a 10 bolt posi would do very good? what should i get insted? and my tranny?

but a 383 could be refered to as a crate engine and im not sure but i dont think they work very well for a chevy. but im just sayin what ive heard around the shop.

 

A 10-bolt posi can be made to handle a 383. There's a tech article on how to make it stronger that is linked from the thirdgen.org homepage.

Whether it's a crate engine, factory engine, rebuilt engine, custom built engine, etc., makes no difference as long as it's a small block Chevy. If it is, it will fit.

A Mopar 383 is a different story. . .

 

I did a v6 to lt1 swap. Probably involves more wiring than you're going to do, depending on if you want fuel injection or not. I am still working out wiring issues from the previous owner's wiring harness, 1 year later. I am still using my original rear end, as well as the driveshaft. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.