I have 1992 camaro 3.1 v6 and will be swapping in a v8 OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. Since i will be going off to college next year and will not take my car i was going to do a full v8 swap. i know i will need new suspension and tranny and i know it would probally be best just to buy a v8 but like i said, i will be doing all of this over 4 years(or more since im going to be a doctor), but hopefuly be done after my first four. So with all that out of the way, wich enige would be best for our cars? what year and should i go with a truck or another car engine? I would prefer a 350 so that i could build up a 383, wich type of engine would be best, thx

also, carb or fuel injection? would like to go carb so i dont have to deal with wiring but fuel injection will save a bit of gas and maybe more power. THX

 

If you've got time, consider an LS1 swap. '98-'02 4th gen Camaro/Firebird, engine w/transmission, PCM, & wiring will run you around $4k. Swapping it in will run another $2k or so, depending upon how wild you get (I'm getting a little hairy, so it's going to run me about $8k total, without major engine mods). Great 5.7l engine base, great EFI system, great economy when you get done. Can even be emissions-legal if your practice takes you somewhere where that's an issue (often is).

Biggest chunk of $'s is getting the engine/transmission/PCM/wiring. The rest you can kind of piece together.

 

i was thinking about an ls1. but if i were to go to a JY and pick up a 350, what should i look for?

 

Shouldn't take you 4 years to swap unless you really have no time to work on it.... i did my swap in about 10 days. But if i were you i would look for an LS1 swap you will be ALOT happier in the end. But i honestly wouldn't go to a junkyard unlesss they have proof of the mileage and you can hear it run. Otherwise make sure it turns over and has compression and the entire motor is there, and there are no odd noises. make sure you grab the ECM too!

Good luck with you swap!

 

Look for an actual 350 shortblock. You can pretty much count on JY heads to be junk, if performance is your goal. Mid-80's & up Camaro, Firebird, and Vette 350's will have decent heads, but the chances of finding one of those, without getting reamed, are slim. But, most any 350 shortblock will do the trick. If you find a '96-up Chevy/GMC truck, then both the block & heads will be worth using.

You won't need the ECM unless you are doing a non-carb, emissions-legal swap. In that case, trucks/passenger cars (non-f-body, non-Vette) will be TBI - do-able, but probably not first choice.

If you do LT1 or LSx, certainly get the PCM and all harnessing.

 

i know it shouldnt take four years but i was planning on building up the engine for the summer, then put it away and in my spare time when i come back home do the susp,tranny and all that other good stuff so when i have the time i can just drop everything in. This isnt a deadline thing, was just gonna take my time, wich will be alot of time, and have everything perfect once im done with college.
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I would really like to go lsx but dont know if i'll have the $ before summer. How do lt1's run for usually? If i cant get an ls1 or lt1 i think i'll just go buy a bare 350 block and work from the bottom up.

 

how's about a viper v-10?