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Engine SwapEverything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.
After having way to many issues with my 89 firebird and my 350 build I just ordered a L31R crate engine for just under $2k shipped. I know the cam isnt anything special but at this point I just need to get the car on the road asap since I'm moving in a few weeks and this whole swap just snowballed and has taken forever.
I just wanted to make sure my parts from my old 2 piece rms 350 will fit the new engine- I've got an Edelbrock 2116 performer intake and rebuilt quadrajet, new mechanical dizzy w/ vacuum advance, and new water pump. Will all the bolt holes be the same so I can reuse my pulleys along with alternator? I know I need a different flywheel since my old engine was a 2 piece rms but will the clutch be the same? Will the starter bolt pattern be different as well?
Another thing I'm trying to figure out is the warranty in this engine-summit racing said it would be a 24month(not sure on miles) warranty installed in my car but the Chevrolet dealer I ordered it from said it'd be a 12 month warranty for me. I'm assuming any issues would be taken care of by any certified GM dealer so wouldn't the warranty be the same no matter who you order it from?
Starter should be the same. If you are still are using stock exhaust manifolds one bolt will not work. You need a flywheel/flexplate for a one piece rear seal camaro. You need a melonized distributor gear unless your engine already has a roller cam in it. All accessories on the front will bolt up. No provisions for a mechanical fuel pump on the l31.
Starter should be the same. If you are still are using stock exhaust manifolds one bolt will not work. You need a flywheel/flexplate for a one piece rear seal camaro. You need a melonized distributor gear unless your engine already has a roller cam in it. All accessories on the front will bolt up. No provisions for a mechanical fuel pump on the l31.
I've got a pair of shorties and I just ordered a flywheel. Happen to have a link or part number for the dizzy? My old engine was a flat tappet cam.
The Vortec engine uses a different timing chain cover. Look up the details on google pertaining to the covers and crank pulley. I could have swore it wasnt a 100% swap there.
The Vortec engine uses a different timing chain cover. Look up the details on google pertaining to the covers and crank pulley. I could have swore it wasnt a 100% swap there.
I know it has the poly/plastic cover but is it a must to swap it out? I've heard of guys jb welding the hole for the crank sensor.
I plugged mine with a freeze type plug with sealant vs swapping it out for the GM 12562818 cover that has the hole blocked off. Another way is to use a standard small block cover with removing the reluctor wheel behind it but then you have to space out the damper the width of the reluctor wheel.
I know it has the poly/plastic cover but is it a must to swap it out? I've heard of guys jb welding the hole for the crank sensor.
I suppose JB weld could work , or a threaded plug the correct size . I was overly **** on my swap . you can get a cover with out provisions for crank sensor . that's what I did , I removed sensor ring also . as I reflect back it was a waste of time . good luck ....
Intake manifold will not fit either. You need a vortec specific manifold otherwise, everything else on top is the same.
Intake is a 2116 Edelbrock which is the performer vortec for a spreadbore carb. For the distributor if I just order one for a '87 Camaro and up will it be a melonized gear since '87 and up is 1 rms?
The Vortec engine uses a different timing chain cover. Look up the details on google pertaining to the covers and crank pulley. I could have swore it wasnt a 100% swap there.
The L31 likely comes with a damper, that is ~0.100" shorter due to the reluctor behind it. As stated, if you change dampers to a "standard" one, you will need to remove the reluctor.
There is little reason not to use the Vortec cover. EFIConnection has a plug for $10 (120-00029), but their website is not coming up at the moment. Here is a Google'd picture:
That Edelbrock 2116 intake IS correct for Vortec. You are set there.
FYI: Intake for Vortec head vs standard SBC... Bolt holts are at different angle, and Vortec ports are higher, and a standard intake will not cover the Vortec ports.
Distributor - the factory 87 Camaro distributor is computer controlled, and is not comparable to your "new mechanical dizzy w/ vacuum advance". You can swap the gear on your distributor and reuse it... $40, $66, $104, $104.
Parts should be here next week. I know I'll have to pull the #1 spark plug and rotate the crank until #1 piston is at tdc so I can stab the distributor but do the valves need to be adjusted before I try to start this engine?
Doug Herbert has a roller cam 215 220 duration and 465 lift that should work really well with the Vortec engine. It will be close on the lift but I ran a flat tappet cam with 465 lift on stock vortec heads and had no problems.
engine will be here tomorrow so I'm trying to make sure I have everything needed-will I need an oil filter adapter and if so could someone give me a part number?
I may be wrong but I think all pilot bearings/bushings are the same for all small blocks. The clutch kit I bought for a 88 camaro fit perfectly including the pilot bushing.
I may be wrong but I think all pilot bearings/bushings are the same for all small blocks. The clutch kit I bought for a 88 camaro fit perfectly including the pilot bushing.
I agree , I know you want things to go good on your swap . don't go trying to chase down problems that do not exist . I say that as one who has chased many ghost's . been there , done that . good luck (again) ...
I agree , I know you want things to go good on your swap . don't go trying to chase down problems that do not exist . I say that as one who has chased many ghost's . been there , done that . good luck (again) ...
Yea I figured it out-found a pilot bearing from my t5 and made sure it fit.
made some progress today!
Tomorrow I just have to prime the oil system, stab the dizzy in, fill the tranny with fluid,finish my Taurus fan wiring and put looms on all the wiring.
Umi relocation kit for torque arm
Last edited by armybyrd; Mar 17, 2016 at 07:38 PM.
today I ended up changing the throttle cable to one for a carb-kind of a waste of time cause they were pretty much the same length. I should be getting the bracket fabbed up tomorrow.
Anyways I tried starting it and playing with the distributor-it'll start when I pour fuel in the carb then die a few secs later. Also there were flames coming out of my passenger side header-what exactly does that mean?
I disconnected the supply and return lines and tried cranking and didn't get any fuel which doesn't surprise me since I only heard the pump come on one time.
Is there a way to make sure the fuel pump is bad before I go through the trouble of dropping the tank and possibly rear?
Also there were flames coming out of my passenger side header-what exactly does that mean?
1) an exhaust valve is adjusted too tight and hanging open.
2) Timing is way late.
3) You have plug wires crossed, making one of the cylinders fire 90-180* late.
Originally Posted by armybyrd
Is there a way to make sure the fuel pump is bad before I go through the trouble of dropping the tank and possibly rear?
Apply +12V to terminal "G" on the ALDL...
Or unplug FP relay, and apply +12V to the grey wire. To exclude the relay too.
Just ordered an ac delco ep241 w/ strainer for $40. I've used walbro in the past but after hearing of recent complaints and the company's lack of warranty it didn't make sense to pay $100 and risk it.
Got the new pump in and nothing. No prime sound at all. I disconnected the lines from my 4309 while I cranked it a few times and no fuel.
Tomorrow I'm going to bring a friend so I can test the fuel pump connector.
I'm guessing I can't test the pump via the aldl connector since I've got a harness made by forum member Pocket? Also the new harness did away with the firewall mounted fuel pump relay.
Much needed update! Over the past month I've been pretty busy-just moved from Colorado to Virginia and I'm transitioning out of active duty to a new civilian job as well as reserve unit. I made the move with the help of a friend and my two dogs since my wife is stationed in Korea right now and I'm finally getting settled in my new place.
Anyways the car is at a buddy's house an hour from where I live but today we finally got the wiring sorted out. Now I just have to clean the wiring up, replace the 4309(has a crack in the body), install my new mr.gasket throttle bracket and order a new lokar throttle cable.
I took a few videos today but I'm not sure how to post them on here.
