Research phase right now for a customer of mine.

The current car is a 1988 Camaro with the 2.8L V6 with the V6 T5 manual.

The project proposal is to install a 3.8L V6 from a 1995 Camaro into the 1988 Camaro.

Will the '95 3.8L V6 mate to the '88 T5?

What about engine mounts? Exhaust? Accessories?

Finally, the harness and computer. Would it be easier for him to use the '88 stock harness and computer and modify it for the 3.8L or would it be better to retrofit the '95 harness and computer into the '88 Camaro to control the engine?

Thanks for the help.

 

houston... we have a problem

the 1995 camaro didn't come with a 3.8, which is radicaly different than the engine that did, the 3.4.

If it's a 3.4, it's an easy swap. It's it's a 3.8 out of a 96-02 camaro. It's difficult.

 

I am very sure that the 1995 Camaro, excluding the Z28, came with two engine choices.

3.4L 207
3.8L 231

Assuming I am correct and the 1995 came with a 3.8, would it swap into a 1988 with a T5?

 

only a few cars in california had that engine, so the odds are very high that it's a 3.4 can we see a picture of it?

and no, you can't use a t5 with a 3.8

 

If you have a V8 T-5 I think you could, wouldn't the only possible difference be the input shaft?

Anyway, the 3.8 swap is just as hard, if not harder than a V8 swap. Expect lot's of custom fab work.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

Okay, so even if I found a 3.8L, it would be a very difficult swap.

Turning to the 3.4L...would it mate to the V6 T5, and would it be an easier swap?

 

yes! it's the same procedure as swapping in another 2.8. for all practical purposes, the exterior of the small block is identical.

You might need to use the 3.4 injectors to give it a little more fuel. There's all kind of stickies and threads about the swap in the v6 forum

 

Thanks that's exactly what I was thinking.

Right now, on top of the 3.4L swap, I'm planning to use an injector from a 4.3L V6, and maybe some 3.1L heads for a compression bump.

As far as the harness...the stock '88 Camaro harness and computer will work with the above plans correct?

Thanks again.

 

can't comment on the injectors...i dont know anything about the 4.3 ones

I'm pretty sure the 3.1 heads are exactly the same as the 2.8. don't go to any great trouble to locate them

but yes, ecm, harness, all of that is the same, unless you use the intake from the 3.4, then that's a whole different ballgame

 

Cool, okay so the chamber size is the same between the 2.8L head and 3.1L head, which are smaller chambers than the 3.4L head?

If that's the case you just made things a bit easier.

Thanks,

 

Pretty sure.

Ask the same question in the v6 section and somebody will give you the correct answer

 

Done. Thanks again.

 

Yes. The RWD 3.4 is the same thing as a 2.8, or 3.1. Just a larger displacement.

 

basically u reuse the 2.8 intake, front timing cover, oil pan, and use the 3.4 injectors when u do the 2.8-3.4 swap.if u can tig weld aluminum u can use the 3.4 intake(needs to be modified to clear the distributor )

heads are the same form all the motors unless the 2.8 is carbed,carbed motors had heads with smaller valves