well i found a great car and an awesome price. downside it is a 2.8 auto. i would want at least a 350. reading the post it talks about having a v8 donor car to make it easy to do the swap. downside i cant seem to find any cheap v8 donors. there is also not a lot of junk yards around this area. so my question is would it be better if i just bought a V8 3rd gen for 500-1500 more? just want to know if it will be that much of a pain to swap and try and find all the little parts ill need. also if the cost will be the same i would rather just get the v8 to start with. just got rid of a project and just want one i can toy with.

 

It would be better to get a V8 version to start with, but who says the donor must also be a third-gen? It could even be a Caprice. The big difference is the exhaust system, but that doesn't matter since you'll be needing headers and a cat-back anyway.

 

what about a silverado? just curious. i'm in the same boat with a V6 auto wanting a V8.

 

I agree, an originally V8 car is a lot easier, even if you have to swap out a 305 to get a 350, and often is less expensive.

The only issue with a non-f-body donor is the torque arm mount. The good news there is your V6 tailshaft housing will swap over to a V8 non-torque-arm TH700R-4 transmission.

 

well not interested in a huge project with a large investment and a bunch of head aches. just got rid of a huge project and wanted something i could drive and work on. since i have no idea where i could find a donor V8, most peolple still wnat alot for em, ill go with a v8 even if it is not in as nice of shape.

 

man i cna find a crap load of excellent shape V6 camaros all the V8s look like they have had the crap kicked outta them for waaaaayyy to long lol.

 

That's usually the case, but as one having done the V6-to-V8 to more than one third-gen, I gotta say I'd still rather start with an original V8 if going to another small block chevy. I'd leave the nice V6 cars for those wanting an LSx or a big block.