Ok please dont give me too much hell over this and I have read the v6 to v8 sticky, but I'm not sure I can afford a tpi swap into my 89 bird so I'm turnin to you guys for guidance, ok Ive got my 72 chevy pick up with a brand new short tail 350 tranny built pretty tuff and a good strong 350 in it I'm thinkin about swapin it into my bird, its an 1989 t-top 2.8 v6 with mpfi ok here we go

1. will the short tail tranny work with the changeover kit from summit or jegs?

2. do i need to keep my ecm or just junk it?

3. how much of a wiring nightmare am I in for?

4. will my heater be a b#$ch to plumb back in?

5. short or long headers?

6. can i just do away with the electric fuel pump and stick a good piece of hose with a screen in place of it and run a manual pump, which is easier?

7.how much $ do you think ill be lookin at in parts?

guys i really need all the help I can get cause the ol lady thinks I should just buy another third gen and go with it but I hate to waste a damn nice car and just let it sit and rot

 

1. pretty sure short tail is the trans you want, (assuming 2wd)
i got the hurst th400 kit and wasn't too happy with it. i wish i had gotten the spohn TA, loop, and cross-member kit.

2, 3, +4. not sure where the tpi comes into play. you said you had a 72 truck which i assume has a carb and you said tpi swap so i dont know what you have in mind.

5. ive got long better for power but it ends up being a pain in routing around the frame and trans crossmember. so shorts are easier. take your pick.

6. you can go alot of ways again depending on what you are doing. carb you can go two ways, get a pickup from a carb car and use the mech pump, or use the electric pump and get a pressure regulator.

7. to many variables to say.

you are going to have a real tough time if you have opposition from the old lady. if she's on board with getting a v-8 car you might wanna just go that way. im sure there is somebody who would want your car and you could recoup some of the cost.

 

well i was wanting to put a 350 tpi in it but im not sure ill have the cash so yes the 72 motor is carbed

 

Pretty sure it will....

Only if you plan on keeping the stock electric fuel pump. If you elect to go with a mechanical pump, you can toss the ECM, but you'll need to drop the rearend, and remove the intank pump from the gas tank. If I were you, I'd simply use the stock electric pump, while running a Mallory adjustable pressure regulator (they lower pressure down to 3-psi)...

For going carb? Not much. Again, only if you keep the stock fuel pump, you'll need to re-wire a few things. Everything else is a breeze (distributor, starter etc.).

No.

Depends on how much, as well as where you want your power....

Sticking with the electric pump is much easier (provided there's still a lot of life left in the pump, of course)....

If you play your cards right, not much. You won't waste her, as this is an extremely easy swap. First get the engine and tranny installed, and linked to the rear, then we'll worry about the fuel delivery, and the wiring. Although preparing for a swap is mandatory, it seems that "over" preparing always seems to deter many people....

Go for it...!