looking for input or info on whether anyone has tried using 4.9 cadillac motor in a camaro. I believe the trans behind the 2.8 will bolt to the 4.9.I have a good running caddy that I would like to make use of the motor and just happen to get a camaro with bad motor. any thoughts?

 

It does seem that the Caddy 4.9 uses the same trans bolt-pattern as the 2.8... at least the same as the FWD 2.8. I think the starter mounting boss area is different, but I don't know to what extent. I don't believe it's a major issue. I don't know whether you'll need any sort of flywheel/flexplate adapters or not, but since this swap is well known in Fieros, a fiero forum should be able to answer those questions. other unknowns are going to be with motor mounts, and the fitment of the engine accessories. I'm sure you'll have to fabricate your own motor mounts, and I have no idea whether those FWD engine accessories will fit where you need them to on a RWD application.

Then there's induction, whether you go carbed or fuel injected, I suspect neither will be a simple setup.

Overall, I suspect that the details of this swap will wind up costing you more than a straightforward 350 swap would, and after all that, you'll have an underpowered mongrel of a car that cost you a fortune.

 

thanks for the info,also have a fairly fresh stock 350 in a pick up that I can use ,the caddy suposedly is 300 hp and has aluminum block,thought that it might perform better than the 350. I know it would be a project, but thats half the fun.

 

Those 4.9s didn't make anywhere near 300 horse. The 275hp Northstar that replaced it was a huge leap forward. Those 4.9s only made around 200 hp.

 

then there was the sts-v motors which put dow around 465hp 432tq supercharged northstar ;-], the northstar engine has lots of potential, high reving dbl overhead cam, with one hell of a bottom end, i tyhink a set of cams and some head work and it would be a screamer, you could even do a sump oil system and get rid of the pan and drop the engine 3 inches lower than normal ;-]

 

The 4.x motors make pretty good power, for what they are; no 300 HP, but not too shabby either. Probably 200 HP or so from the one my wife's 91 Caddy had, I agree with that estimate. Pretty simple controls; port injectors, vertical TBI, sequential injection. Even got OK gas mileage too.

BUT (should have put that in REALLY HUGE letters) everything else about it, SUCKED. It had those stoooopid "bridge" things on the rockers like Olds motors had, that broke all the time. It leaked everything, everywhere, all the time; oil especially, especially the timing cover. When we bought the car it literally dripped oil from the bottom, from one end of the car to the other, it was soaked so bad; never could get it to seal up. The accessories are set up for front-wheel-drive; ALL of them (alt, PS, AC) would end up on the driver's side; no idea what it would take to relocate them to an appropriate longitudinal motor arrangement, don't recall if there's even any bolt holes over there. The cooling system (radiator hoses) would be a challenge. And of course then there's exhaust.

But compared to some of the other "foreign" motor swaps people talk about, it's probably less nonsensical than most. Won't be "cheap", even if the motor is "free" though. The motor itself is NEVER where the money or the talent goes in this sort of a deal. And as Jim pointed out, that "free" motor will probably cost MORE THAN a Chevy 350 AND a transmission to transplant, cause about 100 times more engineering challenges, and even if executed to perfection will still lose the race to a 350.

 

Even if the 4.9 is free, and even if the starter location works, and even if you have a built 3.1-spec 700R-4, or even if you have a custom flywheel, you'll still end up ahead to sell it and get at least a 305 if not a 350. Or stick it in a Fiero.
The custom mounting, custom exhaust, custom radiator hose, custom throttle linkage, et cetera, all add up to a headache you will regret.