To those of you who have completed the swap..... How hard is the v-6 to v-8 swap? If I had a 92 Z with the 305 5spd. for the swap....
I have all the tools, and could get an engine lift.
What are biggest problems with the swap?
Is it the wiring harnasses? ECM stuff?
I am debating what to do to the RS.

Thanks for the help,
Daniel

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Not quite the swap I did, but sort of close. The mechanical stuff is mostly pretty easy. I'd say you have to worry about the ECM, especially if you are gonna keep running a computer.

 

It really depends upon what you intend for the final product. An emissions-legal swap is a lot more work than an "it runs" V8 swap.

If you're going with FI, then it is a little more complicated, since you need the ECM to make it work. If not, all you need is power to the distributor and fuel at the proper pressure to the carb and a cable for the throttle.

But, the best way to do it is with a complete donor V8 car sitting beside yours. The list of things you have to change has been documented many times, but since it's been over two weeks, I'll do it again (should make a file I can just paste when this question comes up).

Starting at the AC condensor, everything attached to the engine behind it needs to be changed. Hoses, cables, harnesses, sensors, engine mounts to the frame, bell housing, clutch & transmission (your V6 5-speed might work, but it isn't as strong as the V8 version). The harness that goes from the engine under the R/F fender through the side panel into the passenger compartment to the ECM is the easiest way to change it out - take the whole thing. The front brake line that goes across the front crossmember needs to be changed or moved to get it out of the way of the engine mounts. The tach is different. Front springs and sway bar are different. The exhaust system from the heads to the tail pipe needs to be changed.

The bolts for the front engine mounts to the crossmember have nuts inside the frame - big bear getting to unless the a-arm is dropped. But, dropping the a-arm requires the engine weight or a spring compressor - weight doesn't work because you need to do this with the engine out. This one issue is probably the biggest headache of the whole job.

I had a year difference that lead me to change the entire dash harness as well as cruise harness. You may not have to do that. Your best bet would be to get a V8 donor car that is the same year, brand & model as your V6 car to avoid those problems.

The easiest, cheapest way to get a V8 car is to sell your V6 car and put the money towards buying another V8 car. You have to have a very good reason to do this to the car you now have. If it is pristine, or was your first car that you want to drive to your 20th high school reunion with a V8 in it, or something like that, then perhaps it is worth considering.

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Thanks for the info!

So does the v-8 actually use different a.c. compressor, alternator, etc..) Or different brackets ?

Thanks

 

The alternator I believe is different, the AC compressor and PS pump can be mounted with different brackets & hoses.

When I did mine, with the radiator and engine out, I pulled the entire AC system - compressor, hoses, condensor, drier, evaporator out as a unit from each car and switched it over to the other - didn't break a line. Took two people to handle all the stuff, but a lot easier (cheaper) than getting it evacuated and recharged (too bad I found out later the V8 compressor was shot - oh, well).