173 ci 2.8 L V6 swap to 350 ci V8 .... I Need Help!!!!!
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Cartersville, GA USA
173 ci 2.8 L V6 swap to 350 ci V8 .... I Need Help!!!!!
I have a 1988 Firebird with a 173 ci 2.8 L V6 in it. It is way too weak for my tastes. I am wanting to swap it out for a Recon Chevy 350 crate motor, but I was told that I would also have to buy a new computer for the V8. Is this true? If so, is there any way around my having to spend an extra two or three thousand dollars for a new computer along with the purchase of a new engine? Is it worth it or should I just abandon the swap and trade the V6 'Bird towards a 'Bird with a V8 and then attempt a swap? Also, I just blew my tranny (it's an automatic) and I'm going to be buying a new higher performance one instead of rebuilding the one I just blew. Should I wait until after the swap or will there be any problems with compatibility with the V8 later on if I go ahead and buy it and install it now? If anyone could help me with these questions it would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 42
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Absolutely the V6 transmission is NOT compatible with a V8. If you want to do this swap, don't bother spending any money on the V6 tranny.
On the other hand, it would probably be less expensive to get a salvage V6 tranny, put it in your current car, sell it, and buy a V8 car.
But, it isn't going to cost you $3000 to get a V8 computer. 350, all the TPI stuff including harness & computer, tranny, etc., will probably run you about that much (depending upon how much you spend on the engine), assuming you do the installation work yourself.
And, the best way to do all this is with a donor V8 car from which you can get everything you need for the V8 install. It's less expensive than buying all the pieces, but still more than just buying a V8 car.
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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back, Spohn SFCs).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet (Holley 3310 on the way), GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).
On the other hand, it would probably be less expensive to get a salvage V6 tranny, put it in your current car, sell it, and buy a V8 car.
But, it isn't going to cost you $3000 to get a V8 computer. 350, all the TPI stuff including harness & computer, tranny, etc., will probably run you about that much (depending upon how much you spend on the engine), assuming you do the installation work yourself.
And, the best way to do all this is with a donor V8 car from which you can get everything you need for the V8 install. It's less expensive than buying all the pieces, but still more than just buying a V8 car.
------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back, Spohn SFCs).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet (Holley 3310 on the way), GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).
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