I am considering buying a 1984 camaro without an engine or transmission, with a good body, rear end, and interior for $400.

it came with a V-6.

I would like to swap a V-8 into it.

I am looking for a project car and already have a daily driver so time isn't a problem.'

would it be worth it to find a totaled camaro with a v-8 (not FI) and swap the v-8 into this camaro?

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

If you can find a decent V8 donor car for about the same price or less, then it's probably worth it.

 

alright, then I will start looking for a donor car.

I asked about what tranny the project car had and was told it still has the v-6's 5speed. will this transmission work with a 350?

 

Well, define "work".

It is 14-spline input shaft vs. 26 for the V8 version. This makes it inherently weaker. The gear ratios are also different, and not the best for V8's. The clutch disk for V6's is smaller than V8's, you have to use a V8 flywheel, there reportedly is an S10 disk that fits the smaller input shaft and larger flywheel/pressure plate.

Bottom line - get a V8 transmission.

 

k, thanks.

I am considering getting parts from multiple wrecked v8 camaros if I am unable to locate a suitable donar car. are all of the v-8 5 speed transmissions in third gen camaros interchangable?

 

Interchangeable, yes.

Equal, no.

Do a search on the Transmission forum for "T5 gear ratio". I did recently, a thread will come up that has the complete listing for all 3rd gen T5's, V6 & V8, World Class and non-World Class, etc. (I believe the link to that list was actually in another thread, but you should be able to find it.)

 

thanks for all the info. I will have to find that thread.

 

well... what transmission would be the most reliable?

edit: I just found a 1984 camaro berlinetta, but it has a 305 and is an auto... the good side is it runs, and its only $615 http://tampa.craigslist.org/car/387899998.html

seams like a much better deal than the $400 camaro without an engine that would require all the v-8 accessories + a v8 transmission...

 

Model Yr...Engine(s).Input....Speedo.......Ratio........ Model # (BWA)
1983........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5E.78......1 352-015
1983........2.5 L4......14............7..............T5H.73......1 352-027
1983........5.0 V8......26............7..............T5G.73......1 352-028
1984........2.5 L4......14............7..............T5K.72......1 352-054
1984........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5E.78......1 352-061
1984........5.0 V8......26............7..............T5G.73......1 352-062
1984 1/2..LG4/LG9...26............7..............T5G.73......135 2-070
1985........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5P.76......1 352-071
1985........5.0 V8......26............7..............T5U.63......1 352-072
1985........2.5 L4......14............7..............T5R.72......1 352-083
1985........2.8 V6......14............7..............T5S.73......1 352-084
1986........................26............7....... .......T5V.61......1352-150
1986........2.8 LB8.....14............7..............T5P.76......1 352-156(aft)
1986........LG4/L69....26............7..............T5U.63......13 52-157
1986........L4 LQ9......................7..............T5R.72.... ..1352-158
1987........LB9 308....26............9..............T5U.63......13 52-166
1987........LB9...........26............7......... .....T5U.73......1352-178
1987........V6............14............7......... ......T5P.76......1352-181
1987........LB9 308....26............9..............T5U.63......13 52-182
1987........LB9...........26............7......... .....T5U.73......1352-183
1987........V8.............26............7........ ......T5U.72......1352-185
1988........B9 5.0L.....26............7..............T5U.73...... 1352-175(wc)
1988........LO3 5.0L...26............9..............T5U.63......13 52-176(wc)
1988........LB8 V6......14............7..............T5P.76......1 352-177(wc)
1992 1/2..LB9 5.0L...26............7..............T5U.73......13 52-212(wc)
1992 1/2..LO3 5.0L...26............9..............T5U.63......13 52-213(wc)
1992 1/2..2.8 V6.......14............7..............T5P.76...... 1352-214(wc)
1992 1/2..2.8 V6.......14............7..............T5P.76...... 1352-228(wc)
1989-92...LB9 5.0L...26............7..............T5U.73......13 52-195(wc)
1989-92...LO3 5.0L...26............9..............T5U.63......13 52-196(wc)
1989-92...LB8 V6......14............7..............T5P.76......1 352-197(wc)
1993........3.4L V6.....26............7..............T5Z.72......13 52-210(wc)

Speedo info
7=Purple Speedo
9=Red Speedo

Ratio........1st.............2nd.........3rd...... ...4th............Rev.......5th
T5E..........3.50...........2.14.......1.39....... .1.1............3.39......See
T5G..........2.95...........1.94.......1.34....... .1.1............2.73......Ratio
T5H..........3.50...........2.14.......1.39....... .1.1............3.39......Column
T5K..........3.76...........2.18.......1.42....... .1.1............3.76......Above
T5P..........4.03...........2.37.......1.49....... .1.1............3.76
T5R..........3.76...........2.18.......1.42....... .1.1............3.76
T5S..........3.50...........2.14.......1.39....... .1.1............3.39
T5U..........2.95...........1.94.......1.34....... .1.1............2.76
T5V..........3.35...........1.93.......1.29....... .1.1............3.15
T5Z..........3.75...........2.19.......1.41....... .1.1............3.53

From that list? Any WC V8.

Of course, a T56 would be better than any of them. . .

 

a t56 is a 4th gen transmission?

 

Yup.

 

Let's put it this way; I'm sure it will cost you a LOT more then $215 just to correct the suspension on the V6 car to accomodate a V8. Never mind the actual drivetrain and engine parts you would need to aquire. ( radiator, Tranny, motor mounts, and on and on... )

Another plus is that you would be saving yet another Berlinetta from an uncertain fate !


P.S. The graph needs adjusting. I'm sitting on a T5 "T5V" 5-Speed out of an 86 Coupe. That T5 was used on the LG4 that year. The only hole in the graph where the engine code is not listed should read "LG4/L69" and the LG4 should be removed from the r1986 ow it's currently in. The HO engines got either the "T5V" or the "T5U" tranny that year and the LG4's only got the "T5V". ( According to MADMIKEs Data and the tranny I have in storage !)

 

thats what I was thinkin when I saw that Berlinetta.

they only made about 33,400 1984 Berlinettas... makes me want it even more :P

will have to see if I can scrape up enough cash to pick it up.

 

Just a tip, I wouldn't be searching for 3rd gens to steal the engine from. If that's what you were thinking.

3rd gens with V-8s lead hard lives, and their V8's are lame 305's (in the non-fi style, aside from the L69). Either way, i'd rather grab a 350 from a TBI caprice myself. Those are generally better taken care of, and can have a roller cam setup ready to rock. Swap on the top end from a 305, better cam, and you're laughing. I'd piece it together INSIDE the JY, then walk out with part 305 parts (heads, intake, carb), and part 350 TBI parts (shortblock) and just pay for the single engine - $160 or so.

 

thanks for the tips, although I was looking at this car as a project, not to steal the engine from. I was going to fix up the cosmetic stuff then think about the engine.

 

five7 your knowledge never ceases to amaze me