Hi team at TGO

Looking for good swap info for a 1992 camaro z28 convertible, lb9 305 tpi, 700r4, g80 2.73 drum rear end...

I have an offer to buy a 1991 Pontiac formula L98 and g92 3.23 rear off the same car for 750. That's a good deal!!!

It sounds like a good idea until I start reading that my t5 I JUST bought Saturday won't mount to the 350 (or what options do I have now) with the starter? I know it's asked before, but as you know several people will say you can do "xyz" only to have 5-10 people follow and say they are wrong. I have seen t5s and 350 tpi paired before, but truth is, I'm a novice building his first car, so any helpful info is appreciated. Can a 350 starter be grinded some to help fit? Or how can I get the smaller starter to adapt? If it is too much work for someone of my skill level, I will just look for the rear end and build the 305 up.

then to further complicate matters for my 305 to 350 idea is that the prom won't recognize a 350 w TPI with a T5 trans? Is that an Issue or ca I just order a prom to fix it? Less concerned with this matter. If the SES light is on, that isn't a large issue to me directly.

I was hoping for an easy swap and that is why I was going to stay tpi 305. of course as soon as I commit to my 305 tpi and buy her a t5, a lifetime deal comes along to buy a nice 350 and the matching rear from the car for as much as I paid for my entire t5 swap.

As a novice should I buy this engine or will the problems of the starter and prom be an issue at my skill level... Ecm harness and all acces coming with the engine to make it easier so I am THINKING this is as plug and play as it gets for removing and installing an engine...

Questions:
1 should I buy this 350 tpi
2 would swap the 305 for the 350 be too much for someone at my level?
3 what is the beastie at way to address the starter
4 any other issues or concert swapping?

I appreciate the responses. I know they take time, expertise, and will to type out, so I greatly thank you for your thoughts, feedback and help. I have read a lot of the details here and just want to remove the uncertainty I feel about this swap.

One last thing... I have two autistic sons who are 2 and 4. The goal for this car would be to hot rod it for shows for autism awareness... The 305 in it is strong and has good years left. Would it just be better to build the 305 up? I don't need a lot of hp. Just want an impressive sounding, clean, and respectable machine so people can learn more about autism while they enjoy the cars they love.

I don't need to install the engine immediately either. I may build it outside the car for a year and try swapping, but nothing would be worse than to spend time and money for something like a starter to complicate and scrap the whole idea. Last thing I need with two autistic sons is to put money into a failed project and lose money. I have enough skill for the t5 swap, engine just seems like I could get over my head with proms, tuning, starter, and etc.

What do my friends here think of how I should proceed. My thoughts are I won't learn unless I get my hands on it, but maybe I should just keep my hands to myself if anyone thinks the project isn't as compatible as I would desire.

Sent from my iPhone

 

Okay...

Use the 305 T5 starter.

The typical solution is the custom tune the 305 PROM to operate the 350.

Sure, if you want.

Probably not.

Use the 305 T5 starter.

Nothing above the usual unbolt/bolt-up stuff.

A 305 can handle those duties. Exhaust (headers, direct-fit cat & cat-back) and a thorough detailing would be about all you'd need.

PROM would be the "biggest" issue, and that could probably be done with a mail-order tune. An aftermarket exhaust would fit either the 305 or 350.

 

Five7, that's stellar. I deeply thank you for the time on reading that long post and addressing all the hidden questions in there.

Thanks for you support... If ever in San Antonio, u gotta friend here

 

The biggest issue I see is the dismantling of a formula 350.
Is it wrecked, rusty or what's the story with it ?

 

Engine is out of the car. The engine was covered and swaddled in a tarp. The rear is rusted pretty bad but not going to buy it unless he gives it to me lol. The engine from the pics is pretty clean. I'm sure there will be some cleaning to do but as far as the engine I think it's solid. Swapping into my 92 Z

 

Thanks for the response too ttop

 

Been there a few times for business (River Walk/convention center area), not sure if/when I'll be back.

 

I mean whats the story with the formula? Why is it apart?

 

According to the owner, he bought it from a guy who parted camaros and firebirds. The guy already took the t5 out and sold it to a third party...

The current owner I'm buying from has a Monte Carlo as he wanted to swap this TPI into and so he just bought the rear and engine, and man sold frame and remaining parts. He went LS route when a friend wrecked a vette and sold him the LS engine for the Monte Carlo and he just left the TPI in his shop for the last couple of years. He planned to put it in something but said decided to sell the engine... Or this is the story I was told

 

Here are pic ttop