wulfgar the pen

ok, i know i'm probably going to get yelled at for this "just look its already been said" blah blah blah

but...... i picked up an 88 camaro with a 2.8l v6, and the engine just leaves me wanting more, i mean i get more nut out of my parents ford windstar,

anyways i guess the reall question, what kinds of engines (preferably 350) could i drop in without having to do too much work with the computers, but also able to pass emissions.

also where could i get said engines brand new, i don't want someone else's engine they beat the s#!t out of.

and then i guess my last question would simply be, what should i expect?
i've got a few friends that have been mechanics for years and years, but this would be my first big project of this sort......

any help would be greatly apreceated
from a new owner,

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

You can pretty much figure on no help from the V6 computer, harnesses, mounts, hoses, throttle cables, transmission, radiator, accessories, intake system, exhaust system, emissions systems.

As stated in the V6 to V8 swap sticky in the top section of this forum, for an emissions-legal swap, a complete donor car is the best way to get what you need.

New engine - you can get a TBI type 350 new, but that's about it. Even it won't have any of the computer, harnesses, mounts, hoses, throttle cables, transmission, raiator, accessories, intake system, exhaust system, emissions systems. . .

Project: 85 2.8 bird

oh, I dunno. When I swapped in the 3800II I was able to use the stock radiator, adn teh only major fabbing was the motor to mount brackets, and the y-pipe would've been made at local muffler shop. I don't think the 88 mero's had vss until 89, so you'd have to rewire the guages... but I digress

matthufham

iTrader: (5)

need a new tranny too maybe, and don't hot rod it too much or the rear end will go. like said above will need to be replaced, and alot of wiring will have to get changed inside the car and out.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Starting with the 3.1 V6's, the radiators were same V6 or V8. The 2.8's had the radiator hose on the wrong side for a V8, plus it was smaller than the V8 radiators. VSS wouldn't affect gauges V6 to V8, as long as you kept the same type.

No "maybe" about it, you need a different transmission, which is stated in the V6 to V8 swap sticky. The V6 rear end is just as strong as a V8 rear, because ... (drum roll, please) ... they're the same thing - as stated in the V6 to V8 swap sticky. The only wiring should be the engine compartment and ECM, which, if you have a donor car, is a matter of unplugging and moving over - if you get the "right" donor car (similar in year and model).

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

You could get a V8 donor car to swap everything over....but when you think about it, you just got yourself a V8 car which is what you're trying to do to begin with.

V8 cars are plentiful enough. Unless you have some kind of attachment, I'd just buy a V8 car.

C.M.Jones

the major perk of swapping a v6 to a v8 is insurance rates. A v6 baseline Camaro is a hell of a lot cheaper than a Z28, and since they go by your VIN# you can do what ever you want under the hood

yeah the 2.8s were...wierdly shaped and have funky bell housings and mounts but, the holes are there to slide a V8 right in. If you go carbed things will be easier. If this is a project car you could think about rebuilding a V8 for it then you can choose exactly what will go in it

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

They go by the VIN for the rate until you have a claim. Then they see the V8, and deny the claim based on fraud.

C.M.Jones

lol, whatever that would never happen like they could even tell a V6 from a V8

wulfgar the pen

thanks, anybody know where i could pick up the wiring and the engine itself?
or anywhere i could pick up all the components, aside from a junk yard
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also, are carbed engines street legal, as in would they pass emissions or are they mainly just for racing, because i know a carbed engine would make an easier swap

89RsPower!

of course carbed based engines are legal, a lot of these cars came with them from the factory, up until 1988 when they were only available injected (some places will fail you if they see a carb on an 88 or later vech, although I can think of a few 89 imports that were carbed still). They will pass emissions just fine with the proper equipment. What you can get away with depends on where you live and your local inspection rules.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Since he has an '88, no carb would be legal. It doesn't matter where you live in the 50 United States, it isn't legal.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

You're right, insurance is much higher on a Z28. But guess what....you can get a V8 RS which (at least for ME) insurance companies treat the same as if it were a V6, ie, low performance base model vehicle.

Problem also solved with a V8 RS.

89RsPower!

Yeah that's what I always thought as well, and was told.. How is it possible that imports were still allowed to have carbs in 89 but domestic cars were not?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

It's what the OEM certified. GM didn't certify any carbs after 1987 (I've heard '88 Monte's had carbs, but I haven't confirmed that). If you want to put a bastard engine in your 3rd gen that's been certified with a carb by some other OEM, more power to ya.

89RsPower!

ah that makes sense..

wulfgar the pen

so it would just be better for me to sell mine and just get an rs v8?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Not necessarily, but that's often the case.