Engine Swap Everything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.

350 vortec swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 09:12 AM
  #1  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
350 vortec swap

hello there the engine iin my 89 v6 camero has gone to crap.and a friend of mine is going to do some tradeing with me to get a 99 vortec engine.(pretty sure its a 99)i am going to go carb on the engine i beleave that should save me a lot of problems.i would also like to know your input on this.and maybe any help or adivse you could give me that maybe useful.thx
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 02:51 PM
  #2  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

It's basically a V6 to V8 swap with the minor Vortec details. Be sure to read the V6 to V8 swap sticky in the top section of this forum if you haven't already.

Accessories, transmission, and exhaust are going to be your main issues. The Vortec-ness of the V8 is a very minor detail.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 05:12 PM
  #3  
Air_Adam's Avatar
TGO Supporter
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Re: 350 vortec swap

It will be just like swapping in any '87+ 350 engine. The only difference the "Vortecness" of the engine makes is with the intake manifold, as you'll need a special one for those heads. Everything else is the same. Below the heads, its basically the same engine as the 350 TPI.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 05:36 PM
  #4  
Stephen's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 13
From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: 350 vortec swap

What are you gonna do for a transmission? Vortecs used a 4L60E, so you'd still have an ECM to deal with, unless you go 350/400 or 700R4.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 09:13 PM
  #5  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

you know it may sound odd but i haven't looked up much on a tranny.do you have any idae what kind of ecm i should use.or maybe i should do a way with the sensors some how.i was going to get rid of the sensors and ecu,but someone told me today that i have to have the camshaft sensor for everything to work properly?lol its all so confuseing to me lol.i know a bit about old school sbc,but all the sensors and the ecu cofuse me .lol.
thatnk you very much for your replys.its very helpful.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 09:44 PM
  #6  
Air_Adam's Avatar
TGO Supporter
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,067
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Car: '83 Z28, '07 Charger SRT8
Engine: 454ci, 6.1 Hemi
Transmission: TH350, A5
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi, 3.06 posi
Re: 350 vortec swap

If you're using a 3rdgen EFI system (TPI or TBI) or a carbureted setup, you'd use whatever trans a 3rdgen would use with that setup... I think that would only be the 700R4 (4L60, not 4L60E) or a T5/T56 setup.

Like I said, as far as the engine goes, its the same as what the 3rdgen V8 cars came with, and the same transmissions will work. The only thing that might make a difference is if you use a more modern EFI setup (LT1 or LS1 for example).
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 09:45 PM
  #7  
Stephen's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 13
From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: 350 vortec swap

Yes...The dizzy has a crankshaft sensor in it. And there is a cam sensor under the timing cover.

But if you go carbed, just disconnect them & your good.

Now...As for the ECM for the tranny....I wouldn't be surprised if Painless has an stand alone ECM, just for a 4L60E tranny.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2008 | 10:21 PM
  #8  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

lol thank you very much that makes more sense.u guys guys on this forum are awsome you defintly know your stuff.
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2008 | 12:30 AM
  #9  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I certainly wouldn't bother with the Vortec induction/ignition/PCM stuff. It could perhaps be swapped into an f-body, but it wouldn't be emissions legal.

You only indicated you were getting the engine, is the transmission in play as well?
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2008 | 02:33 AM
  #10  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

the only tran i have atm is the t5 in the car right now i'm curently doing some research as to what tranny i should go with and what i need to make it work.i don't beleave the emissions testing should be a problem for we got rid of it a few years back.i'm pretty sure if i need to i can get a the tran that came off the vortec.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 11:55 AM
  #11  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

i was wondering if someone could help me pick out a distributor for my aplication.i'm getting rid of all my computer stuff and need a distributor that will work for my block.ive searched everywhere and can not find any info on this any input would be great.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #12  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
That isn't emissions legal, of course.

You need one that has mechanical and vacuum advance. Summit has a large cap coil-in-cap type for about $90. One with a good cap & rotor is a little more.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #13  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

you woun't happen to have a link for that would you maybe i'm going about searching for it wrong.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2008 | 04:35 AM
  #14  
doc221978's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Allenhurst, GA
Car: '81 Z-28
Engine: Soon to be a 383
Transmission: Muncie
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: 350 vortec swap

This should be exactly what you need....

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2008 | 12:17 PM
  #15  
Atilla the Fun's Avatar
On Probation
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 19
From: Northern Utah
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: 350 vortec swap

The truck tranny isn't any solution for you. Let it go. Your V6 trans might live if you baby it, but it would require the V8 T5 bellhousing and then you have a clutch issue. Or a flywheel issue. There's no ready solution except the V8 S-10 parts from www.advanceadapters.com
Really, trans depends on your preference, budget, desperation to get the car running again, and availability of parts. There's another section of these forums for transmission issues.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2008 | 09:37 PM
  #16  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

thank you
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2008 | 12:10 PM
  #17  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

well i got all the parts for engine and i'm going to go have it rebuild for the winter. also takeing a look at some cams.and a 383 stroker kit but we'll see how that gose lol.any way i got me a rebuit 700r4 tranny with a shift kit from a freind for $150.and i'm going to buy a new k member for the car.thx for all your help everybody i'll be sure to keep u posted on progress as i get done with my project.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2008 | 12:19 AM
  #18  
relaxedbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Re: 350 vortec swap

i wanna buy some headers for my application but what i was really wondering if i can use 350 tbi camaro headers or if i would have to to with the 99 subbrban headers.they have some on ebay that seem to be cheap but they also look cheap as well.any help or input on these would help alot thanks.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2008 | 12:27 AM
  #19  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
350 Camaro TPI headers, specifically '86-'90 TPI single cat application, such as Hooker 2055HKR.

(There was no 350 Camaro - or Firebird - TBI)
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frozer!!!
Camaros for Sale
35
Jan 19, 2024 04:55 PM
xkingcodex
Engine Swap
14
Feb 12, 2020 07:43 PM
Fast355
DFI and ECM
14
Dec 2, 2016 06:33 PM
bamaboy0323
Tech / General Engine
25
Sep 3, 2015 06:07 AM
theshackle
Tech / General Engine
2
Aug 22, 2015 06:52 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:50 AM.