OK, have a 1990 Firebird Formula, L03/Auto with 16,500 original miles. I would like to keep it looking OEM original, as the car is a really nice, low mile, all-original. But, of course, it just has no guts at all. I found a 19,000 mile L98 out of a 1991 Z-28 that they want $2,000 for. Includes all accessories, wiring harness and ECM (no transmission included; car originally came with an automatic). My question is: what kind of complications am I going to encounter swapping out my L03 for this engine? I know the fuel pump will need to be addressed, but what else?

 

Are you staying TBI or swapping over to TPI? I also have just acquired an L98 but have decided to just upgrade my TBI and put over on the 350. The TPI is really cool though it looks great.

 

Shouldn't be too bad really... You'll want to use the L98 exhaust, all of it from the manifolds back. Some hoses are a bit different. You'll need to relocate the battery, and get the TPI Firebird cruise servo mount. Throttle cable and TV cable are different. Fuel lines are the same up to hard lines on the engine. Hardest part will be doing the swap and keeping it looking like a low mileage, untouched car.

 

Thanks. I will be doing an aftermarket exhaust (headers, no cat, Dynomax exhaust). I have also read that the wiring harness in the Camaro is different from the Firebird. Is that true?

 

Yeah, the Camaro has the battery on the right, Firebirds are on the left. It has to do with the aircleaner designs being different. The charcoal can switches sides too, for the same reason. Its not much difference, but spring for the right harness.

 

I'm anxious to see the swap. Good luck. Id love to do that swap if I had the patience. TPI looks really nice sittin on top of an engine IMO. I will soon have two complete setups.

 

Part of what makes this deal works is that the engine comes with ECM and complete wire harness. If the harness isn't usable, it becomes a less attractive deal. Is it a matter of swapping battery and canister left to right? Sounds like I've got even more research to do.

 

Wiring really isnt that hard to rework, it's just time consuming. I wouldn't let the Camaro vs Firebird harness issue get in the way. It's nothing you can't correct, I just mean it'd save time and potential Gotchas! to start with the right harness.