What's up guys. I've been thinking about doing the famous v6 to v8 swap. Problem is no garage. I do have access to an engine hoist though. So has anyone done this swap outdoors, and how bad is it?

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86 Sport Coupe, 2.8 V6, dead stock, but not for long!
Coming soon: paint job, new interior, MSD-6A, MSD GM Blaster Coil, MSD 8mm Helicore wires, Catco Hi-Flo cat, Dynomax Cat-Back, K&N Filters

Daily driver:
2000 Pontiac Grand Am SE2

www.geocities.com/camman86

 

my bro did a straight 6 to V8 swap on a nice clear summer day last summer

so yah it has been done.....but this was in a 73 NOVA and not a third gen

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84TA T-tops L-69 305HO TH-700R4 stock 190hp and 240 ft-lbs.
new best E.T. (dont laugh) 15.986 @84.93mph
old best E.T 15.997@86.04
http://www.geocities.com/K_towngangsta

Mods-

K&N Air filter

 

I did the swap outside w/ a hoist on the 3-point lift on a John Deere 730, so u can do it... hehe

 

I've done a dozen engine swaps over the last ten years and all were outside.Using the garage to store parts,tools and other engine-less car.If it rains, put a tarp over the engine compartment and come back to it later.Nicer if it's warm, but I live in California, where we don't get much weather, so not a problem here.
-Rich-

 

I changed a tranny out in a 70 Checy truck on the side of a road. Does that count?!?

 

i did mine outside. i used a huge tarp to go over my car and hooked it up to my houses roof and hooked it to a rack in the back of my car coverd all of it and i was having a lot of rain just about every day and it turned out pretty good could work when it was raining too becasue the tool box was in my small garage and i could go back and forth without getting wet. i still covered every hole extra carefull becasue it was afterall still outside so you have to watch out nothin gets in there like little animals :P

 

I did one 5 months ago on a 20'X10' concrete pad behind my house. Used the tow truck boom as a hoist I'll be doing another one this winter in the same spot.

 

You dont need a garage, I have done many motor installs without one. But you had better hurry it is getting colder every day. By the way a tarp is a very good ideas. Remember if you open up the motor THINK CLEAN. Dirt/Dust is not something you want in any engine!

Anyway anything is possible, we can't always have ideal work conditions. One of my highschool buddies and I built a 400 small block in a metal shed (like 6 X 8) with a dirt floor. That motor was still kicking *** in a third vehicle when it was finnaly sold in a moment of complete stupidy. Anyway like I said you have too deal with what you have sometimes.

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1992 Z/28 305 Purple Haze

 

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Sounds like the swap I did in my S10!

If possible Mikes86SC, find a garage. It's easier to get under the vehical and if you drop parts, you can find them easier on concreat! But, if your going to do it ouside, best of luck to you.

 

weather is the main problem. Working on a car outside in the snow in sub freezing conditions sucks. Trust me. If you're going to do it outside though hurry up, and try to put something under the car to catch bolts/etc.. It can be a real pain finding them.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm not 100% set on swappin the engine, since I haven't done this before, and my 2.8 has a rebuilt tranny nd the engine runs very good. But oh yeah I'd love the added power of an 8. I would definately wait for the spring to do this. I've jus really been considering doing it after reading a few posts and people are saying its not that bad if you have a donor car.

Again, thanks for the help. Nice to know it is possible.