I am reading with interest the posts on here about 305 L69's being replaced with 350's...my car is still running strong at 140K but I know its time is limited...I really like the L69 and had pretty much planned on just getting the original motor rebuilt, but people have told me I should get a carbed 350 crate motor. My main concern with this project is...I have a T-5 which is a NON world class, it sounds like I will have to replace the tranny along with the engine because everyone says a T-5 can't take the power from a 350. Is this really true? What should I replace it with? Can it just be "beefed up"? How much of a PITA is this additional project? Geesh. Nothing can just be "easy" with these cars can it.

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Fire Chick
Black 84 T/A, H.O. L69, 5 spd, 3.73's
Future mods: rebuilt engine with lots of chrome!
http://www.fbody.com/members/fbodyce...firechick.html
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All-Knowing, not-easily-offended Warrior Princess of the Non-famous Cascade Crew

How hard are you on the trans? Thats the biggest decision maker right there. There are lots of people running in the 14's and even 13's and not breaking them, so I wouldnt worry about it right now if I were you.

Right on, nothing IS easy like it used to be. People are laughing at me cause I am
picking parts for my 350 swap that will make it easy , drivable and dependable. Yes, it won't be the fastest out there, but at least I can rely on it and it will be a hell of a lot faster than my 305.
there are a lot of T-5's out there with some pretty powerful motors in them. It depends how you drive it. No powershifting and limited burnouts........bob


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91 camaro RS convert
t-5
open element air cleaner
TBI spacer
Flowmaster muffler

Aww, she's just a girl, how hard can she run the car anyways? j/k

No but seriously, if you drive your car decently and don't power shift it (bang the gears hard) you should not have any problems. If you ever (if not already are) get bit by the drag racing bug, then you should start to consider at least a WC or T56. What kind of crate engine are we talking btw?

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George P. Lara
1994 Z28 LT1 T56
1984 Z28 High Output
Member: SCCA, SCFB, SC3GFB

I don't know what "kind" of crate engine yet...I really haven't even looked around yet. Like I say I may just keep my L69 and have it all rebuilt, it kinda depends on what happens as the car ages. It may not be rebuildable when we get to that point. I don't race and don't plan to, so a real fast engine isn't that important to me...yet I do like to put the pedal to the medal now and then!

I don't think I drive my car hard, I rarely do burnouts but I do like to row through the gears! But compared to how some people beat on their thirdgens I think I'm pretty gentle with it. It sounds like maybe I don't need to worry about the tranny from what you guys are saying...

For what's it's worth, I don't have a WC T-5 in my '87 IROC either. I have an older model T-5 like you. I race it often at the track and dump the clutch at 3,000-4,000 rpms for 1.8 sec. 60' launches. I have a crate 383 motor as well. The tranny has held up well. I don't powershift nor do I do excessive burnouts. On the street I pretty much cruise. The T-5 is fairly stout. I have taken the position that I'll replace it as soon as it fails, until then, it's part of my car!

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Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190s, TPIS ZZ-9, Edelbrock RPM intake, TES and Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), stock T-5, 3.42 rear GM gears w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hyper Chip, gutted MAF, 53kv coil, MSD wires.

*winks at fire chick* Didn't I tell you on 3rdgen.org that the T-5 will hold up fine with a 350? Whaddya know I was right for once!

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John Chamberlain
1984 Sport Coupe Camaro, 1979 350. Dynomax 2 3/4" cat back single in dual out muffler. Saving for Headers, Heads, And new Intake. Then.... PAINT

The Allmighty Warrior Court Jester of The Not-So-Famous Cascade Crew


[This message has been edited by 84FBODY (edited October 17, 2000).]