Im looking for third gen preferably an 86-92. I want to get one that would be good for a 350 swap. Im only 15 and have minimal mechanical experience but I have friends who can probably help with this. Ive been thinking about an lt1 and t-56 swapbut i dont know if that would be too much work for someone like me. Would it be easier to just get a carbed 350 and swap that in or do u think i could handle an lt1 swap? Or should i just get one with an lt1 or a carbed 350 in it already? If i got the 350 what would i do for a transmission? I want the car i will be using to have a manual already. Could i use just use the stock t-5 or would that not be able to handle the power?

Basically what would be good for someone like me who wants a 350 and a manual transmission?

 

A T5 will last behind a 350, but you can't beat on it. The T56 is without doubt the superior transmission.

The LT1/T56 swap isn't more than you can handle, but it is certainly more involved than a simple 350 swap. It's an effort/rewards thing - the more effort you put in, the more you'll be rewarded.

Of course, reality has a way of rearing it's ugly head on the "effort" thing. . .

 

any more suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

look for a v8 car, if you dont need one right away that runs, and can find one with a blown motor, chances are you can get it real cheap. check over the underside and make sure things are not rotted or butchered. an lt1/t56 swap is a little more work that a straight 350/auto. you need a few pricey aftermarket parts and need to do wiring and probably fuel system upgrades as well. if you are patient and dedicated to the job you can do anything. there are tons of guys here who have done similar things and could help you out along the way with troubles/question you may come up with.

 

thanks, I am looking for a car that runs and has a v8 and manual because i will not be able to do this swap til next summer because I dont have enough money for both an engine/transmission and car at the same time. But I am trying to plan ahead.

this is probably a tough question to answer but would an lt1 be faster or a carbed 350? Both manual and stock lt1 and the 350 with around 300HP?

 

the lt1 engines are unique in design and were only manufactured for a few years. this limits the amount of aftermarket parts available, and the achievable power output. generally, unless im mistaken, the limit for a naturally aspirated lt1 is around 500 hp. a carbed, gen 1 style small block has a vastly larger amount of parts, and power is almost unlimited.

as for whats faster, 300 hp is 300 hp. the same output in the same car, and one will not be noticeably faster than the other.

 

That's not exactly true. A carb'd 350 with peak horsepower of 300 will get outrun by an LT1 with peak horsepower of 300. Why? Well, for one thing, a "stock" LT1 puts out over 300 horsepower the way the typical carb 350 is "rated". And, the LT1 will have more "area under the curve", meaning it will have more torque at the lower RPMs below peak HP. So, it will walk away from a 300 horse carb'd 350.

 

im talkin mainly about how fast it would be in the quarter mile. and would it be able to hang with an lt1 as in top speed if it was hooked upto a 6 speed.

 

A 300 horse carb'd 350 T56 would not outrun an LT1 in the quarter unless optimized for the quarter. Then it would be outrun by the LT1 on the street.

 

ive been looking on ebay at engines and ive seen alot of cheap 350's with alot of hp for pretty cheap. Are these engines crap or cheap for a reason? Here's some of the things ive been looking at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...QQcmdZViewItem

 

The guy with the first, third, and fourth engines can't spell, drops phrases like "old school" like it defines something good. Those kick-out oil pans are murder in our chassis when you try to install exhaust. I'd want to know what head casting #'s he's using (didn't see anything specific without reading every word of his descriptions), cam, etc. I'm no fan of Edelbrock carbs and am suspicious of anyone who includes one on a "performance" engine.

The second engine is a big block. Ditto the "what's it built from" comments above. You ready to tackle the issues involved in swapping a big block into our cars?