Let me first start off by saying yes, I did read the sticky, and just about every link contained in it, mostly so I don't look like a complete idiot making this thread haha.

Alright, so here's the deal. I've got a '91 RS with a V6, the engine is about to turn 160k miles, which, lets face it, for a 20 year old camaro, most of them have probably been pretty hard miles. I don't have the money for a new car, however, I do have the money/time/tools/available shop to drop in a new engine (I've got about $2500-3000, that should be enough, correct?) I've been toying with the idea of swapping a 350 into my car for a long time, but ended up deciding 'hey, I'm gonna make a turbo-6 engine,' and have it built for a turbo setup, in fact, just about done, minus mounting the turbo/IC and getting a bung drilled for the oil return line, but I've kind of lost interest. It would have been a neat project, but the power I'd be making just really isn't that impressive, when I can get better numbers from a 350 with just a cam/heads.

Anyways, that's not the point. The point is, I can get a carb'd 350 and TH350 from a '70's monte carlo, and I'd like to put that into my car, however, I'm a little confused on some things from the sticky. From my understanding of the sticky, to use the TH350, they make a kit that will allow me to mount it, so that solves that. Can I use the TH350 with my rear-end? The diff will be replaced with a posi unit, will it be 'bolt-up' (used lightly, haha) like another 700r4/4L60E?

As for wiring, that confuses me the most, because I am absolutely horrible at wiring/electrical work. Engine work I can handle no problem, but wiring gives me a headache. How do I go about wiring up the new engine? Related to the wiring problem, what do I do about the ECM? The 350 is obviously carb'd, so I'm not too sure how to approach that really, excuse my ignorance, but did they even use ECM's in the mid 70's? Will I still need to replace the tach with a V8 tach, if so, would it be possible to use an entire gauge cluster from a V8 third gen (just for ease) and hook that up to the new engine, or would that not work?

As for the power steering/alternator/accessories and all that, I've got a solid grasp of engine work, it's just how to wire the new engine up that really confuses me. Will using such an old engine be more hassle than it's worth? I'd like to use this engine because it's from a friend, my auto-tech teacher from back in high school, he was the lead mechanic at a huge chevy dealership for a long time, I know him and I know he takes care of his stuff, but if it's going to be too much of a headache, I can find, I'm sure, a 350 from a third gen, would that be easier, in the long run?

I really have to apologize if these questions have been asked a million times, I'm sure they probably have and responding to them can get a bit tiring, but when I start on a big project, I like to know exactly what I'm getting into, so I definitely appreciate any help you guys can give me.

edit - One more wiring thing. My speedometer is controlled through a VSS mounted to my transmission (I have a 4L60E) How would I swap that to a 'manual' one, as it were? I'd assume just buy a speedometer cable set up from an older third gen?

super fantastic double edit haha - I should also mention the car does not have to get smogged. It is emissions exempt in my state (NC) because of it's age.

 

How much is he selling the combo for. It might be worth finding a newer style engine, like a LSX something with good driveablility and power. I just bought a parts car and swapped everything over, so im not much of a help. I know for sure you'll have to get a different trans mount/crossmember, im pretty sure the th300 is different size wise than a 700r and most likely has different splines for the drive shaft. Where in NC are you?

 

if the motor is from a 70's model then all you need for wireing is and ignition setup...dist ignition box and coil summit has combos for around 150 to 250 for complete kits..like a nascar setup no ecm in those

 

You'll need a different crossmember and driveshaft to use the TH350 (I happen to have both - at least, I don't think I've sold them yet). You'll also need a torque arm mount. If you get a swap crossmember from Hawks/Spohn, you can get one with the torque arm mount built into it.

For the speedometer, you'll need an attachment that converts the mechanical drive to an electrical signal (sending unit). Available from Summit. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

 

Awesome, thanks for the help guys, so it sounds like wiring and everything for such an old engine is going to be easier?

And he's selling me the combo for $400, because I've known him for so long. The engine runs strong, transmission shifts smooth, I actually helped him pull it out of his monte, he dropped in a 383 stroker. Sadly, he said no when I asked if I could have that for $400 haha.

As for swapping in an LS series engine, I really doubt I could do that for less than $3k.


edit - This is the crossmember/torque arm setup I need, correct? http://www.spohn.net/shop/1982-1992-...nsmission.html

 

Correct.

 

I'm swapping my TH350 to a 700R4. I have already converted my RS v6 to a carb'd 350. Everything works except for the speedo and tach. What is the part that I need to get the Tach to work at least? Do I need to get a gauge cluster for a V8 or is there something I can put in my car to use the cluster already in place? The link posted above is no longer a good link at summitt. Can you guys give a little guidance?

 

from summitracing.com , click on "Store", "Gauges & Accessories", "Sending Units", "Speedometer Sending Units", and filter on "Chevrolet".

 

You the man. Thank you. I will give that a shot.

 

oops..