I want to swap my 3.1 for a 350.If I were to get a parts car with a 350 and all parts needed for swap,about how much would I have to spend to pay the guy for labor only.Would it be worth it,or should I just do it myself(keeping in mind that I am a junior in Highschool) All responses are appreciated.

 

I have priced getting a swap done at a shop and the price can be from $500 to $750. that is if you have ALL parts, little things can add up. you'll probably want to put new plugs and wires on the 350, and you may want to upgrade the cooling system. Just call around to some shops and ask what they charge. I wouldn't pay over $600 for labor only if swapping the engine only.

I have never done a motor swap, but some of my friends have, and they didn't have too much trouble. I am a junior in high school also and i think i could do it with little trouble. if you do it yourself, make sure you have help.

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89 RS (supposed 350) TBI auto

 

Thanks dude

 

I swapped my first engine when i was a freshman if that makes you feel any better :-)

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Mint black/black 1987 T/A GTA 305 5-speed, 55K,
3.45 factory POSI,Taylor wires, hurst comp plus shifter, K&N conical rig, AFPR, coated shorty headers, no cat, no smog, 3in. mandrel-bent single exhaust, flowmaster, TB air foil, 160 stat, SFC's, lower control arm adapters, Aluminum Driveshaft, ported upper and lower, Mobile ES and 10 disc, kickers all around and q-logic kick panels...Perf 350, rear batt, lowering springs,cowl hood, & NOS coming soon!

 

I swapped out my friends V6 w/auto for a V8 w/auto(LG4) for only $400.00. Most of the parts he got from the junk yard.

 

A local shop refused to do it, he said that it was too much of a PITA.

 

if your still in high school take auto mechanics, that is prolly the only class that taught me any worthwhile info in highschool................DIY!!!!

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89 Camaro Rs
-Stock Tbi 305 with a lot of damn miles
-Edelbrock Z28 TES Headers
-3 inch Catco High Flow Cat
-3 inch Edelbrock Catback
-14x3 Summit Open Element Air Cleaner
-Edelbrock TBI Intake

Stereo
-Pioneer DEH-P4100 cd player
-Polk Dx9 6x9s

also got a 79 Jeep Cj7

 

Im a junior in high school as well, but my car is a slow *** V8 rather than a slower-assed V6, haha. Im looking to put a 350 in her but i dont know. I should just modify it heavily, but I dont have the money to do either yet so...

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1992 Pontiac Firebird
- 5.0L V8 TBI
- Automatic Trans

 

Maybe it's just that I'm an old fart, but I honestly can't imagine paying someone to do this kind of job. The knowledge and satisfaction gain from this are immeasurable. And, you'll respect what you have a whole bunch more. And, the little details (like tach, emissions equipment, those front engine mounts, running for parts) are the kind of things a professional on the clock dreads.

As for being in high school, all the more reason to do it yourself. A shop class, if they will let you do something like this, is the perfect place to get it done.

FWIW, I did my first "swap" when I was 13 - a freshly rebuilt 6-cyl from a freshly t-boned 1960 Rambler Classic with 3-speed overdrive into a 1960 Rambler American with pushbutton automatic (I had done my first solo engine installation the year before - '58 Chevy also w/6-cyl). The '57 came 3 years later.

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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 15.1/95.5 @ 5800' Bandimere.

 

hmmm.... $500-$750 for a swap???

thats pretty good considering i think i can get my hands on all the parts i need and i am keeping my 5 speed (dont go there) i think i will be having me a V8 camaro REAL SOON

 

i have to agree on the doing it yourself satisfaction. Also if you pay someone else you dont know what is what. Ive always been afraid of opening the hood, still am on another one of my cars, but on my Cutlass, I installed the engine(also built part of it) and I'll dig right into it and I know what is what and how to fix damn near anything on it. I know I will be on the plus side from now on doing my own labor with my cars instead of always having to run the car someone and pay a truckload of money to fix this or that.

 

$500 to $750 for a pro swap you say??
well, considering i will have all the parts, and have the tranny problem worked out, it looks like i'm gettin an 8 banger real soon