Hello, I have a 1991 Firebird 3.1L V6 and was looking into putting a V8 in it. I saw a 350 HO Crate Engine from Jegs (Part# 809-12486041) and was wondering if that will work. I found it from someone else's post here and it seems like that is a really good price, only $2,095. The problem is I am in California, and I don't know if it is OK to switch to bigger engines because of smog issues. One Pontiac dealer said you can't do it, another said I could get it done for $7,000 because of all the additional parts I need such as harnesses, computer, and wiring...

So I am wondering if anyone knows about switching from V6 to V8 in CA. If not, is it OK to switch to a 3.8 V6? Is it worth it? What other parts am I going to need to make this work and how much will it cost? And finally, if switching to a larger engine can't be done, would anything else bring me close to the V8 mustangs and rice rockets, such as the fiero turbo kit (can't seem to find the address)? Thank you for your help!

 

If you want to stay legal in California, CARB mandates that, if you are going to change your engine, the engine (regardless of size) be an engine available for that car for that year or later. You must also have all emissions equipment for that engine along with all of its engine management equipment. Once that is done, you must go to a referee station and have it signed off.
You ever consider supercharging your V-6? There’s a few 13-second supercharged V-6’s out there.


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N/A 406, TPIS Miniram, 58mm TB, 30lbs injectors, Custom Ground Elgin Cam, Ported TFS heads, SLP 1-3/4", & DFI computer.
11.70@117mph

 

Ok, thanks, I am glad to hear that it is possible. Well, I found the address for the fiero kit:

http://webhome.idirect.com/~rsm1/fiero_catalog.htm

I have been looking into other posts, and it seems like they agree it would be cheaper and give more power to do the V8 swap. Does anyone know about how much it will cost in additional parts though? Thanks

 

You can do it, but there are some snags.

Either you have to get a smog approved setup (like the 350 HO package, which includes all sorts of stuff and IIRC is only for carb'd thirdgens) or you have to run an engine that is the same year or newer than your chassis. The engine must have all emissions equipment intact and in the same locations as the vehicle the engine came from. There is no law preventing you from sticking, say, a 95 Northstar engine under the hood of your 91 Firebird and not having it be smog legal in cali, but you will run into about 10 idiots out of 11 in the state agencies that will tell you its not legal. The state doesnt want anyone to know its legal, they want the same size and year engine in the car that originally came in it. Anything other than that is red tape that is not always fun to deal with. Getting a sticker for, say, an 83 RX7 with an 84 L69 isnt much fun... trust me.

Unless you are physically or emotionally attached to the car, it will probably be alot cheaper to sell yours and buy another car with a V8 already in it. Cant really comment on cost but yours being a 91 means you have to be FI, so figure 500+ for a used engine with the wiring and stuff, another 1000+ for a rebuild, and 300 worth of nickel and dime parts like hoses, engine mounts, etc. It gets expensive real quick. Its only when you have stuff laying around or access to really cheap that swaps make sense IMO.

 

Hmm, tough decisions. See the thing is, I am trying to get a summer job (I'm in high school) and I figure that by the end of the summer I will have around $2,000 or $2,500 to work with. And if I wait til Christmas, I'll have around $3,000 to $3,500. I am sure throwing a few thousand at a V6 could make it pretty powerful.

I think I'll just stick with this car though. It is in really good condition, and I have already spent a few thousand on it (wheels, cd player, amp, subs, new speakers, flowmaster, etc.) Also, the paint job is about a year old, and it runs great.

Unfortunately it sounds like fun getting your vehicle to pass smog, but madmax, if you are saying it will be under $2,500, then it sounds worth it to me. What do you guys think? Anyone have anything else to say? Does that sound right, a complete V8 swap for under $2,500? thanks!

(edit: spelling)

[This message has been edited by 91firebirdG4 (edited May 28, 2001).]

 

Its more difficult down here in socal, but your best bet is to find a donor vehicle thats been wrecked and use it for parts. I see them here and there at relatively cheap prices, and then you dont get hit with the nickel and dime stuff so hard.

 

I saw a few beat up late 80's V8 camaro's (one I saw was a 1989) on the internet in my area for about $1,500. Are you talking about getting it for the engine, or for parts?

 

Well you could take it for both. As long as its FI, they more than likely wont go to the extent of checking the year of the parts, just tell them its off a 91
They arent too bright really.

1500 is a little higher than I was thinking though... less than 1000 would be much better.

 

Sounds good, so if I get an old f-body, it will have all the parts I need for the engine swap? What years would I need to look for of Camaro's and Firebird's? Would I be restricted to 3rd gens? And lastly, any good web sites that I can search these for cars? The only one I know of is autotrader.com. Thanks again! And thank you especially madmax, you have been a big help to me!