Ok, here's the deal. A friend of mine is swapping a 383 stroker into his 92 Camaro RS Heritage Edition Convertible.

The car has a 5 speed manual trans in it.

He drives the car, so he wants to keep his AC.

I'm not familiar with this platform and just wanted to get some advice from guys who have done the swap previous or are VERY knowledgeable about the swap.

We are both located just North of Dallas Texas in McKinney, TX.

Here are a few questions to start. (I don't have the car at my house, so some of these may sound stupid.)

1. Are there any clearance issues with the AC and running taller valve covers? Are their brackets available? Links via posted or via PM would be appreciated.

2. What should be done to the trans, any upgraded parts? Any recommended places to pick up a trans at?

3. The big question.. Fuel... What recommendations do you have for the fuel system, i'ts currently the stock TBI system.

4. What tuning options are available? I'd like to get a tuning option to get it running and then it will obviously need some dyno tuning.

5. What cooling system upgrades did you do to keep it from running to hot? Current plans are new radiator, heat wrap on headers, air damn (It's missing), and dual cooling fans w/shroud.

Feel free to interject things that are commonly forgotten about in a swap to or if there are additional questions I should be asking.

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

Bump... Nobody?

 

Bump..

 

Wow, impatient..
Anyway,
First, there's no legit need to use taller valve covers.
If the current trans is healthy, he can baby it and it will live a long life. But if he wants to do clutch drops and power shifts, then start with something stronger. D&D or Astro can rebuild T5s to hold 500 HP, but the same money will about do a TKO600 or a T56 swap.
The TBI will have to be changed. Even with a Holley TB, it's still limited to like 275 HP. That's pushing it with just 2 injectors.
If there's no smog test, you can get away with converting to carburetion. Otherwise, it'll be MPFI.
Cooling: Be sure to drill a small steam hole in the new t-stat, maybe upgrade to a better water pump.
Other: The stock rear axle is 3.08:1 with no posi. It won't take abuse. It will take a 383 if you baby it.
The answers to axle issues are in the sticky in the sub forum for transmission and drivetrain. Just read the sticky about 10-bolts
There are at least 3 other sub forums to cover TBI, carb, and MPFI.
Do some more reading.

 

Haha... I just bumped it each time it fell off my subscribed threads page.

This is going to be a roller motor, so I'll need to run taller valve covers. He brought the car over tonight unexpectedly, so it looks like this won't be an issue.

I'll look into the trans swap, but if it's more then just pulling the old trans and installing the new one, I imagine this might have to wait. He's going to be putting down some HP and his old trans isn't going to last much longer.

I plan to stay with a fuel injection system, but figured the TBI was going to have to be replaced. Was hoping for some links or suggestions. The car won't pass smog when it's done though.

Not sure I understand the reason for the "steam hole" in the T Stat, why's their steam if it's a pressurized system.

I think I have the rear end figured out, I'm not too worried about that. It will have a posi and be re-geared.

I was hoping to get some good advice here, I've been searching and reading, but honestly I'm not trying to learn everything there is to know about this platform for one swap. Especially since it's not my car, just trying to help a friend out.

I'll keep reading threads, but any specific advice is appreciated. Especially from people who have already completed this swap. I have noticed a FEW threads where people completed this swap in the same exact car, it would be cool if you could post up pics, notes, or just advice from your swaps.

 

Plenty of roller rockers fit under stock covers. Not all, but many. Sometimes you just need to run doubled gaskets.
For a relatively cheap and easy MPFI, consider the HSR with the MegaSquirt.
You'll need a Walbro 255 in the tank. You can adapt the current fuel lines.
A beefed T5 from D&D or from Astro will be a direct R&R job, very simple and easy.
If you get a steam pocket under the T-stat, it'll never open, then you will overheat the engine. All SBCs should run a drilled T-stat. Just a 1/8" hole works great. Some performance stats are sold with the hole already there.