Hello my Third Gen Family,

i need your help with somthing. i have 2 Iroc-z's

1st) 1989 5.0 tpi auto t-top (clear title) "i want this car"
this car is a lil rough, i bought this car about 18 mths ago. and it did not start, so i installed a starter, only to find out that the fuel pump was going bad the car ran rough. i could not even get a single trac burnout. then the fuel went all the way out.plus it looks like it has been tinkled with. so i went to G.M. Carslile last year and brought a:

2nd) 1987 5.7 tpi 5spd hard top (R-Title) "dont like hard top"
but thes car rides and performs very well, i drive on weekends, but could never really enjoy a hardtop.

my Question is would there be a problem if i disconnected the wiring, hoses, steering, etc from the firewall, and drop the complete subframe from the four bolts that connect to the body of the car. the motor trans and the drive shaft will follow. (i think). i was told that i may need to make a hole in the trans tunnel, to accomodate the 5 spd. also are there anything i should look out for? is there any particular way things should be done? please let me know. i want to re-use everything from the radiator engine harness computer. most importantly how would you lay out the plans for the swap.

and lastly how much do you think it would it cost if a shop do the work for me

 

It's a welded unibody car, there's no subframe to drop.

 

so do i have to remove the engine from the k-member?

 

It depends what you want to do. There are some significant differences in the 87 and 89 TPI setups. You can swap everything from the 350 over, including the computer and wiring, or you can take just the long block and run it under the 305's induction system and computer.

After that, it's just a regular automatic to manual swap. You'll have to cut the floor of the car to mount the shifter, and you'll have to cut the firewall to mount the clutch cylinder.

 

You'll pay a shop more in labor to do the swap, than it would cost to just buy the car you want and sell these two.

 

I just wanted to update this thread but I will start another with the actual progress of this SWAP AND MORE. So I finally decided toooo......keep my t-top and use the drivetrain and complete interior out of the hardtop.. I found a shop in Baltimore that is going to do the swap for me for $1750. That's engine, trans, harness. I will be charged an additional $500 to clean engine bay, scuff and paint satin black because I haven't decided what color I want to paint the car at this point and since I have the engine out I may as well take care of this now. I have placed a two week time deadline on this phase of the project.

The second phase will be to swap the console, dash, door panels, front clip, This will mostly be done by me to help keep cost down. And allow me a little time for savings for phase three which I will get to shortly. But I will also install a set of fourth gen leather seats and order t-top weather strip and carpet. and start to look at suspension options. I kinda like the air ride suspension but a good set of coilovers may be cool also.

The third phase will be to select color prep car incl removal of all hardware, trim, lights etc. along with all body work.. I may even shade door handles for a cleaner look, but This is a area I won't cut any corners I think I will even spring for a candy paint make final decision of suspension and install I have a set of vette wheels and tires I will install. I should be ready for the spring shows. If you have any ideas please don't hesitate to input as a third gen-er I value your opinion. I will try to add pics