I plan on swapping my old v6 (3.1 or 3.4 i can never remember) from my '91 firebird, for a 305 out of an '87 camaro. i have a few questions I need answered before I start and this is the place so here goes.

1. my old transmission is just the stock 5 speed, i can get a turbo 350 for $20 that needs rebuilt, and can get it rebuilt for $100, but i would really like the car to stay manual. so is there a cheap transmission i can get to keep it manual and that will hook up to the 305 , or is there stuff i can get to convert the old tranny to be able to hook up to the 305 like a new bell housing and such?

2. I will need a new exhaust, i would like sidepipes, but i really just want it to sound mean without being illegal, is there anything cheap that anyone would recomend, how hard are sidepipes/off-road pipes to install?

3. What are the other big things i will need for the swap, i know so far I will need motor mounts, headers, and a shifter, but is there anything else, and does anyone know specific motor mounts/headers I should be looking for?

4. I just wanna throw in thanks so very very much to anyone that is replying to this message, this will be my first engine swap, and I am getting help through the whole thing from poeple who know what they are doing, but if anyone can throw in tips, extra info, or just specifics to some of the parts and the cheapest way to do thing that would be great, THANK YOU ALL!!

 

Not to sound cynical but why bother with a 305? A 350 really shouldn't entail any more work or cost. A 400 small block would be even better.

 

The V6 T5's have a smaller input shaft (fewer splines) than V8 T5's. They also have different internals and are generally weaker (as if T5's aren't weak enough already). But, with a V8 bellhousing & flywheel, V8 clutch pressure plate, and S10 clutch disk, you can get it to move the car - just don't beat on it.

A World Class T5 would be better. After that, you're talking about more expensive stuff.

Check out the Exhaust forum for answers to those questions. Sidepipes don't seem to be very popular around here, though.

 

A friend of mine is selling me a 305 for $100 is most of the reason

 

Maybe you can find a 350 with a spun rod bearing and combine the two at a reasonable cost.