Hello, I'm new here, I'm going to be doing a complete rebuild of a 1980 Chevy 350, casting number 3970010, 4 bolt main, engine suffix code TFH (out of a truck) I'm going to build it into a higher-performance engine (roughly 380-440 hp is my ballpark), and i want to stick it into a Gen 3 Camaro.

I do not have the body at this point in time (the engine is going to be a project for my Automotive Engine Rebuild class) i was wondering how the rest of the drive line will be able to handle the increased HP from this motor, is there a specific trim (RS SS Iroc) i should look for? or just the ones with a V8? im trying to figure out how much money i need to put into the drive line before i get too deep into this project.

I know a lot of factors are involved but i'm just looking for a ballpark, is the stock drive line going to be perfectly fine? or am i going to need to redo it all (It's going to be manual if that helps)

Thanks in Advanced.

 

You can use any third gen car. 4, 6, or 8 cyl car. The same rear end was used in all of the trims, some got lower gears than others, some got posi, etc

The 4 and 6 cyl cars will also need a trans swap as the 4/6cyl trans won't work on a V8

All of the third gens had the stock K member already drilled for 4/6/8 cyl engine mounts.

The stock v8 700r4 auto will handle your power level pretty well.

The T5 5 speed is pretty weak, common 3rd gear failure with 300+ HP.

The rear ends are weak but unless your dead hooking or dumping the clutch at a high rpm it will last.

 

Is there a manual Transmission that would handle the power that doesn't require custom mounting, or should i stick with a auto?

 

Well there is a few manual transmissions that would work but all of them will require some sort of swap/custom work, parts, etc.

The 4th gen T56 6 speed is a common swap and a strong transmission but it's not a bolt up swap. The old M22 4 speeds are strong but again not a bolt in swap.

 

The T5 can survive a long time behind 400hp it all depends on how you drive and how sticky your tires are. Also don't miss 3rd

Other than that a LT1 T56 is your best bet

 

Alright cool, thanks for the information guys, i appreciate it, i think i might just stick with the 700R4