I'm not planning on doing this for awhile, just curious for future reference. I want to do this in another year or so...YES, I know it would be cheaper to buy a V8 car, YES I know it's a PITA, but I still wanna do it because my car is flawless, aside from what resides under the hood.

So what do I need? I'm not sure if I wanna do a resto-style swap (aka 305 TBI with a few tricks...I'm not a racer), or go custom with a 350 TPI or LT1. Here's a list of what I think I need...

-305/350 long block (rebuilt)
-TBI/TPI setup
-New wiring harness
-Rebuilt 700R4
-Exhaust manifolds/y pipe
-Alternator, starter, etc.
-Motor mounts
-Radiator (????)
-Cat/exhaust system (????)

Anything else I might need? Anyone else here done this already?? How much approximately would a shop charge me in labor to do all this??? Thanks for any and all responses.

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Jason E

'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Medium Grey Metallic
2.8, A4, T-tops, 90k miles

'97 Z28 w/30th Anniversary package
LT1 (obviously), 6 speed, t-tops
White with orange stripes, killer system, 41k miles

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

 

The tranny needs to be a V8 style. You'll need the ECM for whatever induction you chose. You DO need V8 radiator and cat/cat-back.

You also need V8 front springs, and either replace the front brake line or rebend it to fit around the motor mounts. Add all sensors, hoses, belts, cables (throttle, TV, cruise), and air cleaner to your list. From what I've heard, your current MPFI in-tank fuel pump will work, but you'll need an AFPR to make either TBI or TPI run right. A factory V8 donor car sitting beside the transplant recipient is the best way to go about this.

If you have emissions inspection/testing, "resto" is your only choice - or acceptable replacements, of course.

This really isn't cost-effective to have someone else do. Either one of two conditions will exist: 1) They take on the job for a decent price, without a clue what they're really up against; or 2) it will be so expensive that you could easily get a factory V8 car in as good of shape as yours for a lot less money. Add the factor of all you'll learn and the "I did it myself" rights to the reasons not to have a shop do it.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlock header mufflers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1/94.6 @ 5800' Bandimere.

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited May 03, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited May 03, 2001).]

 

Thanks for all the info...you mentioned a few things (like AFPR) I never would have thought of. You make a very good argument against not doing this.

The problem is, I am EXTREMELY attached to my car. My mom bought it brand new, it has never been hit, raced, wrecked, smoked in, etc. It is flawless, and I love the way it looks; Medium grey metallic, factory wheels, and none of the add ons IROCs had. It just looks so CLEAN. Believe me, if it was an ordinary V6, I would never attempt this. The problem is, it isn't ordinary to me

Can anyone add any thoughts/prices/ideas?? Thanks again five7kid!

 

Also, keep in mind I DO have dyno emissions tests. Does this likely mean a 305 TBI will be my only choice for a swap??

 

I just finished this swap in my buddies 86 camaro. your best bet is to buy a junk car with a v8 in it and you will have everything you need. we only made 3 trips to the parts store and spent less then 200 including purchase of the donor vehicle. i was lucky my 84 came with a v8. If you get a donor car that passed emmissions you should pass emmissions in your car as well, i wouldnt know, i live in michigan and have no emmissions.

dan

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i got an 84 camaro, shes got a 89 mustang. which do i have to work on more?

 

You can do TPI, in fact, I'd recommend doing that over TBI. What we're saying is get an entire donor car so you'll have everything you'll need.

You also might consider a 3.4 V6 crate engine. It won't be a V8, but it will have more power than an LG4. And, you should be able to get it through emissions.

 

On this 3.4 crate motor, how does that work out with the 3.1L motor in a 1992 Camaro, does all the wiring match up and how much HP does a 350ci, 305ci, and 3.4L stock motor have??????

 

It will bolt in place of your factory engine. You may have to adapt a sensor mount or something like that, although I haven't heard of such problems.

The 3.4 is rated at 160 hp in S10 trim. It has a short duration cam, so is more torque than horse power oriented, but should get past emissions with no trouble (you might want to remove any stickers on it that say "3.4", since it isn't "certified" for 3rd gens).

For reference, your 3.1 was rated at 140 hp, LG4's were rated at 145-165, TBI LO3's 170, TPI LB9's 190-230, TPI 350's 245. With a good exhaust and cam upgrade, you should be able to get a 3.4 to 180 hp and still pass emissions. That's certainly respectable for a daily driver.

 

I have thought long and hard about the 3.4 swap, and I'm not sure if it is money well spent. Before I got the LT1, I was thinking "hey, 170-180 solid HP would be great!!!" Now, all I want is a V8 third gen. Sure, it will be more work and more money. But the $2k plus install that would go towards a 3.4 would be better spent being put towards a V8, especially when you consider I am NOT going to sell the car.

Thanks again to those who gave info on the V8 swap...definitely a post worth printing and saving

------------------
Jason E

'89 Camaro RS 2.8
Medium Grey Metallic
2.8, A4, T-tops, 90k miles

'97 Z28 w/30th Anniversary package
LT1 (obviously), 6 speed, t-tops
White with orange stripes, killer system, 41k miles

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

 

Without a doubt, a V8 has more potential than a V6. Even an LG4 will run better than the V6 after you've replaced all the bad engineering; after all, it's got almost 100 more cubic inches. But, with emissions, you'll need fuel injection, which complicates the swap process somewhat.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from undertaking this project, I just want them to understand what they've got ahead of them. Again, the best way is with a donor car, but it can be pieced together.

It sounds like you have a lot of good reasons for keeping your car, so, start the research and collecting now. If you run into snags, you know where to turn!

 

Thanks for the support, guys. This will not happen until I graduate from UMass(Spring '02). But this car is definitely worth saving...I get as many compliments on the RS as I do on the Z!

I know it may be cheaper to start with a V8 car, but I have such a solid foundation (and a sentimental one), its worth the extra $$. My car with 90k on it is almost as tight as a lot of newer 4th gens I've been in.

It won't get done for awhile, as the Z's monthly payments are chewing away at my college-*** income But all I need is a V8 and IROC wheels and in my mind, I got a super-clean 3rd gen.