I just bought a 85' iroc z with a 305 HO with a t5 manual tranny. I just blew both head gaskets (the belt on the water pump was loose). So I figured this would be an excuse to dump a 350 in. I have been doing my research for about a week now and I just want to make sure I have everything right. I was going to get a 350 vortec from a tahoe or something like that from a junkyard. I will put the engine on the engine stand and replace all the gaskets. Get an aftermarket intake to fit my carb on it. I will also get a new set of headers. Then everything else will bolt right up. Is this a good plan? I plan on building a 496 stroker to put in it but I want to still drive it because I want my baby back for the weekends lol. Thank you guys for all your help.

 

you should have no real problems.and good choice on your car.

 

Great plan but you do know it will shred that T5 right.. If its not a built one to handle that extra power. Theres a reason they didnt put it behind the 350s from the factory.

 

Sounds like you are planning the same as I. I have a L98 out of an IROC with vortec heads 2-3 weeks from being rebuilt. Bought some custom dyno don headers, had the qjet rebuilt with the 350 in mind, and yes I plan to keep the T5 until it breaks. Why throw away or practically give away for $300 a perfectly good tranny when I could just have some fun and break it the old fashioned way?

Actually, you'd be suprised how many people actually have had success with their T5's and Vortecs. It can be done. And the Chance to upgrade to a T56 will always be there

Good luck!

 

Yes there is a reason they did not but it has nothing to do with the power of a 350. I wish that damn myth would just go away. It had more to do with having to redo emission testing which is crazy expensive and was not worth it in GMs book.

GM put a t5 behind the 92 5L TPI making more power than the 5.7 in 86 with only a 20 ftlb of tq difference.

A T5 in good shape can live a long life behind a L31 if you don't drive like an **** all day and miss third.

 

Thanks for the reply guys and after I do the swap I plan on putting a t56 tranny any way I will probably be 6 months from now tho if I does break I can always my 02' Firebird any ways lol