alright i have a 86 z with a 305 tpi auto.and i am swapping out my 2.8 out of my 88 and putting my 305 into it. what is the best way to do this swap? i mean,would you take everything off the engines and then pull them,and then take out the computers,or bring everything out all together, and put it in all together? will i have to make any mod's to the firewall connections? since its coming from 2.8 to 305? the 2.8 is mpfi to, do i need to change the fuel pump?and what all has to be changed?both are automatics.thanks

 

Although mine was carb, I think you'll be close to the same types of issues I had.

I disconnected all harness connectors, labeling as I went, from both engines, set the harnesses out of the way (still attached to the car). Pulled both engines, set them to the side. Pulled the harness and ECM from the receiving car, then pulled the harness and ECM from the donor car and installed into the receiving car. Then installed the V8 and reattached everything.

I had to modify the '82 kick panel pass-through to accept the '86 harness, but that wasn't a big deal (just enlarged it slightly). For the two years you're dealing with, they're probably the same.

I believe the fuel pump from the MPFI will work on the TPI.

The only thing I would recommend that I didn't do is to take pictures before you start and as you disassemble. That info can prove to be invaluable.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. 2-1/2" cat-back, ZZ3 intake, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 CC system w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam, ported World 305 heads, Hooker 2055 headers, 3" Catco cat & 3" catback, restalled TC, Spohn SFCs).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Holley 750VS w/4150 conversion, 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).

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited October 16, 2001).]

 

Put in a 350. You'll wish you had two weeks after the 305 is in. Don't waste your time. With that said, remove all the accessories from your 350 before you drop it in, it will give you a little extra clearance. Also, don't keep the tpi top on when yo drop the engine in. You'll probably dent the runners. Yank both the radiators. You don't want to buy a new one if you smack it.With the 2.8, you should be able to just yank it. It's shorter than an 8, so you'll be alright.

Get yourself some 6 ton jack stands, jack both cars up. Go to Craftsman and buy yourself a really really long (I think it's bigger than 18'') 3/8 drive extension and a 9/16, 15mm swivel socket. Climb under and yank the trans bolts, torque converter bolts. Get a jack and a few 2x4's and support the engine oil pan. Disconnect the atf lines from the trans AND THE BLOCK. Disconnect the u-joint from the rear yoke,side out the driveshaft and drop the trans. Then pull the motor mount bolts, and all the other obvious stuff, and pull the engines. You can put the donor car on the ground once all the hard stuff is out. Then yank the harnesses of both.

Keep the receiving car in the air. Put in the wiring harness and tape it up out of the way. Once you decide the 305 is junk and put the 350 in, slide in the motor mount bolts and either hook-up the v-8 700R4 transmission or support the 350 by the oil pan with 2x4's. Put the other transmission in, secure it with a few bolts to the block, and raise and bolt up the crossmember. It's a lot easier to do this swap in the air.

Your fuel pump should be fine in the pressure department, although I don't know if the 2.8's flowed any less volume.