I will be pulling my original LG4 this winter, and rebuilding it. While I am working on it, I want to put my other 2.8l in the car, so it is still driveable. But, after I get done with the 305 I want to put it back in. I know it sounds like alot, but the 305 is in desperate need of a rebuild, and I can't stand to be Camaro-less for that time period, plus it will take a while, because I am rebuilding on a budget, and I have to wait a while inbetween parts for the cash to add up again. My main question is, are there any major modifications needed to change the 305 into a 2.8? I have a Berlinetta with the digital dash, and the speedometer dosent work now as it is. If I get it fixed with the 2.8 in there, will I have to change it again when I put the 305 with a different tranny in? Well, I hope this made sense. Thanks
Evan

 

i believe the trans bolt patterns are differant, but not sure. it'd be a night mare sorting out the harnesses for the ecm and getting it to work. if you're not wanting to be with out a car why not look for a 305 to build while you drive what you have. a 305 should be cheap, not a lot of people want them.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

Gotta agree with ede on this one, whole lotta maze with very little cheese at the end... You're going to spend more time working on this thing than you will driving it, not the way I'd choose to spend my life.

Buy a beater POS Camaro, sell it when you get the other one done.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."

[This message has been edited by RB83L69 (edited December 28, 2000).]

 

Just to sort out a solid answer to this question, take a look at some of the v6 to v8 posts, and imagine doing just about everything in reverse.. different tranny, different motor mounts, different exhaust, different computer (if MPFI), different alternator/AC/brackets.. I mean, the average v6-v8 swap easily costs a grand.. this wouldn't be much different. It'll cost you less to just buy a completely separate 305, build it up, and drop it in.

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4
Preparing for 305 LG3/THM-350 swap
MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers

 

As they said, imagine not only doing it backwards, but also, doing it forwards. So youre doing it twice. Then you have to think small nickel and dime parts. So technically, you'd almost be looking at the price of an already built motor.

Heck, heres an even better idea. Buy a 350 and build it up while youre riding on the last legs of your 305. Youre looking at buying an engine anyway. (at least in price) so why not buy a 350? l may have gotten burned on the price but l got one that fit in my 87 T/A (whose 305 had died) for $700. That didnt involve a core or anything. So, lf ld been patient for the money, l could have built it up for less than what you're talking about for the swaps.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

Clayton

 

I can understand all of that if I had to buy all of the new parts, but I already have two 84 camaros with a 2.8 to get parts from, so, the cost really won't be that much of a hassle. I also hace a tranny that is already bolted to the 2.8 that I am putting in. That engine was rebuilt not too long ago, so it really won't cost that too much. I can definetly see if I had to buy all kinds of new parts not doing it , but I don;t want to buy a 350, I just want my 305 to run good. Thanks
Evan

 

Hey I have done exactly what you are trying to do but my swap was a 5 spd., i took the entire harness inside/engine, and swapped it, if your engine is carb and you are using an efi you will have to change the fuel lines, the engine mounts need to be changed and are a pita, the dash difference will just be the tach, im just finishing going back to 5.0 now.

 

Ok, i'm glad tohear someone else has done this. Did you have to change the rearend as well? Also, how hard was it to change the harness? Thanks

 

all third gen rearends are interchangable