Hey guys, I've scanned the transmission and engine forums to try to find an answer to my question with no luck so here we go. I currently have a 305TPI/ Auto that is torn down to the shell. While waiting for it to warm up here in Delaware for body work I decided to tackle drive train.
What I want to do is remove the bottom end of the motor (305), replace it with a 355/ 310hp vortec short block from summit and remove the T5 from my donor 1991 Trans-Am to swap out the 700R4. I'm trying to build a dependable cruiser that has some *****, so I didn't want to go crazy and make the thing unstreetable.
I understand the intake and belt system will fit. I also understand i have to change out the 19lb injectors for larger ones, but my grasp of this project stops there.
Will the computer need to be programmed?
Do I need a computer from a manual transmission V8 car in 1987 or will mine work?
Is the engine part as easy as putting the intake on the short block?

Needing some guidance... Thanks in advance guys.
FYI - If I've duplicated a previous thread, I'm sorry.

 

The 305 heads have too small a chamber for a 350, and will increase your compression (SCR) too much. Typically 58ccs on the 305 and 64ccs on a 350.

Probably. But, if you use stock 22lb injectors and a stock-ish cam, a stock 87 manual chip should be close enough.

The computer itself is generic and interchangeable. The chip carries the specific programming.

It's all basic mechanical bolt-on, bolt-together parts. 305-to-350 is externally the same. You are sticking to a factory combination, so everything you are doing has factory parts available.

 

I'm confused then... Is there a chip inside of the computer or is that somewhere else? Will my auto computer work the car but replacing the "chip". I'm pretty mechanically inclined, this fuel injection stuff is a little out of my wheel house? Previously, I owned a fox body mustang (don't judge) and when I replaced the 302 with a 347 stroker all I did was send the ECM out to be reprogrammed with al the specs of the car? Are these the same?

 

You got it... The computers are generic with a removable chip, also called a MEMCAL. You program, then "burn" the chip, and plug the chip into the ECM. These are not like the later model (LS1+) where they have permanently mounted flash memory, you plug in and download, or "flash", the program directly into the ECM.

 

So the chip is inside the ECM? If so, once the chip is out where do you send it to get the specs to the car added?

 

You got some reading to do...
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/diy-prom/

 

From what it looks like I have two options: Change the PROM to adopt the T5 conversion, but will not accommodate the 350 engine because a 350TPI w/ T5 never existed OR convert the car to the EBL type computer system that allows tuning for the changes being made.


Is there a person, business or person on this forum that I can contact with the parameters of the vehicle, send the ECM to them and have the necessary corrections to have the vehicle driveable?? No trying to come off like a lazy *** but looking at the EBL self tuning system; I think I'd do more harm then good. lol