Hello, im new to this site and to the Camaro world. I used to do the imports but i've realized the real way to go :P

Ok, enough babble..I'm lookin to get an 89 rs. At the moment it's a roller. It had a 305 in it but i'd like to swap in the 350. Now i'm sure you've gotten these questions all day, and i have done some research but im still a little uneasy. First off i know switching to the 350 requires the 350 chip, knock sensor, and fuel injectors. Am I missing anything? Also if i wanna keep this manual, what trans will i need, and is there a 6 speed option or just the 5? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

If you are retaining the TBI system, then yes all you need is 350 TBI chip, 350 TBI knock sensor, and 350 TBI injectors. Manual your options are the T-5 which was standard in these, and would be the easiest/cheapest, or a T-56 which is a 6 speed from a 4th gen car. T-56 would be stronger tranny, some say the T-5 won't hold up to a 350, but plenty of folks run them - you just can't abuse it. The T-5 has a small bellhousing, and thus you'll need a smaller 153 tooth flywheel that matches your 350 (which will either be a 1 piece or 2 piece rear main seal).

There are other tranny options - like Tremec - but much more expensive that a T-5 or T-56 takeout.

 

Is the TBI the carb? Or is that TPI? What's the difference? And I was planning on having it either stay carbbed or make it that way. If TBI is not the carb. Then how do I go about making it so? Thanks again

 

1989 did not come from factory with carb, it had a TBI unit on the 305. No RS's had the TPI option.

TBI = Throttle Body Injection - looks like a carb, but inside has two fuel injectors inside. This is what the 1989 had in it if it had a 305.

TPI = Tuned Port Injection - looks completely different, had injector for each cylinder - it's the one with the funky curved-pipe looking intake.

There were also carbed cars, but they were computer controlled Quadrajet carbs, and none after 1987.

That 1989 RS was a TBI car, and so would be easiest to remain TBI. Can snag a 350 TBI motor from a truck or Caprice and drop it in - you'll just need a 350TBI chip for the computer.

But since you have nothing - you can do whatever you like, as long as it's legal in your area. No aftermarket carb is legal under fed regulations, but feds don't inspect, states/counties do. So you need to find out what the inspection requirements in your area are before you decide on a motor setup.

But doing anything besides non-computer controlled carb will require computer changes unless you go back to a 305 TBI motor.

How much is this roller? I've never paid more than $900 for a running V8 3rd gen in good condition, but location changes prices alot. I'd never pay more than $300 for a roller.

 

Its an RS hard top for 550 neg. On the price. I'm going to look at it tomorrow he claims its a real clean body no rust/major dents ect. Does that sound like a fair deal, if I haggle with him on the price?

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

I'd pay more for a clean, rust-free, good-interior roller than I would a running, beat up, rusty, torn-up interior car any day.

The TBI Forum has a lot of good information about 350's and TBI's. If you end up going with a 350 TBI from a truck, try to get as much of the TBI stuff as possible, including the wiring harness and computer. Word is the '93-'95 computer is better than the earlier versions.

BTW, 4th gen T56's should be from '93-'97, LT1, only. '98-up were LS1 and were different, won't mount up correctly behind a Gen I small block.

I've also heard you can use 4th gen V6 5-speed manuals, which will require some 3rd gen V8 parts such as bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, etc., but you might want to check the Transmission and Drivetrain forum to get more info about that.

 

In October I paid $500 for an 89 RS because it had brand new tires and brakes and all of the parts and no major dents or damage. The tires and brakes were worth the $500.

The engine ran and it shifted fine but both have since been rebuilt as I continue the restoration.

 

If i take my doner 350 from a truck or what have you, why would i need the wiring harness? I thought it bolted right up becides a few little things? Thanks for all the help guys, i've learned a lot in the last 4 hours im pretty suprised.

 

Because the truck TBI is different and better than the early car TBI

 

That, and with a roller, you never know what has been hacked up to get the engine out. I'll start with the assumption extensive hacking has occurred, and be happy if I find out otherwise.

I've been working on cars for over 40 years, and I can honestly say I've learned more in the last 10 years from this Board than I did in the preceding 30 years.

 

Go carb, save yourself the headaches. Requires almost no wiring except for the starter and ignition which is a total of like 5 wires. No computer BS, simple and clean looking!

 

Id love to go carb, but if I have a TBI car/motor how to i convert them to TPI? I love the clean look of a carb'ed engine but idk if converting to TPI would be gettin my self in over my head.