I recently purchased an 89 rs with the 2.8l and am planning on swapping it for a 400 sbc I obtained from a friend. Any suggestions or helpful hints?

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

First, read the V6 to V8 swap sticky in the top section of this forum.

Now, what are you going to do for transmission, exhaust, radiator, accessories (alternator, power steering pump, water pump, etc.), enging mounts? Are you going to use a carb?

The 400 SBC is externally balanced, meaning you need a different damper and flexplate (or flywheel if manual transmission) than the "normal" SBC uses. All factory 400 SBC's got a 168-tooth flexplate/flywheel, and all 3rd gens were 153-tooth. Not a particular problem with an automatic transmission, but could be a problem with a T5 manual transmission (which isn't recommended, because they are relatively weak, but you didn't say what you planned on doing).

 

And some 400s were only drilled for the 168 tooth starter. A problem that is much easier to remedy before you put the engine in the car.

 

The car is an automatic... I have heard the 700r4 will work... not sure about reliability though... I have most of the accessories and im sure the rest can be found for the right price lol... Are there any kits for engine mounts for this application? I can't find any so its looking like custom fab... as will the exhaust

 

get a Jegs mini high torque starter. will bolt right in... $128.00 will last forever! Find a V-8 Camaro junkyard or barely running get it or strip the parts off of it, Alt, pulleys, radiator, etc.
As far as exhaust you'll should get some headers to Y-pipe and a CatBack system.... SBC engine mounts and exhaust will work, 350 type...

 

Thanks for the info... ill look into the exhaust and all the accessories

 

U R welcome, anytime... If you have any questions, post 'em here or PM me...

 

I had briefly used a 700r4 on my 400 sbc swap, but I swapped it out for a th350 (mainly because I failed miserably at rebuilding the 700 and had the 350 lying around). No problem bolting either up, just had to get an adapter for the torque arm for the 350.

definitely pay attention to the externally balancing; the previous owner wiped out a flywheel and the crank due to them putting a internally balanced (305, 350, etc) flywheel on the motor.

Any plans for heads? remember they need steam holes if they are not the original 400 heads.

 

i am thinking about using aluminum vortec heads... not original 400 heads so i will have to drill the steam holes

 

where did you find aluminum vortec heads?

 

The Edelbrock E-Tecs? The 170cc versions would seem too small, but for a daily driver, I'd take them over the E-Tec 200s.

 

The V6 TH700R-4 will not work.

A properly rebuilt TH700R-4 will be fine behind a 400.

Engine mounts can be found in the junk yard. They aren't unique to f-bodies. No fabrication required.

 

thanks for the info on the trans... looks like i will have to find a new one then... i have some motor mounts now...

 

I am not going to put the 400 sbc in... i obtained an 87 Iroc-Z parts car with the 305 and a 700r4... i am planning on doing the swap monday and tuesday... is this reasonable? Any surprises i need to know about or will everything bolt up with no problem?

 

you would have more fun with the 400 and they aren't any more work to put in than the 305 or 350. The exhaust is the same, hell swap the cam in the 400 to something mild depending on what was in the 400 in the first place 24-30 lb injectors in the tpi setup and use it on the 400. If you can find a cheap set of bowtie heads (around $300) you will have to elongate the center intake holes. but not hard or time consuming. and use all the front accesory stuff from it. all the torque will make it alot more fun. same engine mounts skip the exhaust manifolds for headers though.

 

im thinkin of doing a 71 caprice 400 small block with original double hump heads. but i want to keep it fuel injection. my question is, will the 350 lt1 camaro intake bolt right on it?.... and the alternator , a/c, and p/s brackets bolt right on it. if not what do you guys recommend?

 

The lt1 intake will work if it is modded for a small block (the lt1 uses an optidrive instead of distributor)otherwise no it won't bolt right up. and I think you need a regular camaro v belt or serp setup I might be wrong but I don't think the lt1 front accessory drive stuff will work.

 

what fuel injected intakes will work on a 72 400 sbc?

 

86 and under tpi setup
carb manifold modded with fuel rails and a throttle body
I think that is it other than completely aftermarket then you have
Stealth ram
accel setup