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Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

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Old 01-07-2019, 12:45 AM
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Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

I have a 1991 camaro rs with a 305. Obviously, not really meeting my needs for power. This is my daily and I have never done a swap before so I need a swap that would be most practical for a $2500 budget and something fairly simple considering I’ve never done this. Looked into the 350 vortecs, Lt1s and a couple others. If any of you guys that have done these swaps could bring some advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Old 01-07-2019, 03:08 AM
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Car: 82 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 350 Vortec, sprayed
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Spooled Strange 12 bolt, 3.73 gears
Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

I also had a 305 in my T/A - went with a 350 vortec (just snagged one out of a truck) with a LT t56 - the t56 took up most of the money, but the 350 swap was easy and painless. No idea how much HP I was making, but it was enough HP to have a lot of fun with. I just threw in a mild cam recently, that doesn't require any machine work. The cam, 350 vortec and everything else I needed for the engine kept me well below $2500. That's just personal experience, I'm sure others will have some better input. Junkyards are great for finding 350s - I made sure I had new bearings and gaskets before I even thought about putting it in.
Old 01-07-2019, 09:13 AM
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Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

Originally Posted by straightbuchana
I also had a 305 in my T/A - went with a 350 vortec (just snagged one out of a truck) with a LT t56 - the t56 took up most of the money, but the 350 swap was easy and painless. No idea how much HP I was making, but it was enough HP to have a lot of fun with. I just threw in a mild cam recently, that doesn't require any machine work. The cam, 350 vortec and everything else I needed for the engine kept me well below $2500. That's just personal experience, I'm sure others will have some better input. Junkyards are great for finding 350s - I made sure I had new bearings and gaskets before I even thought about putting it in.
Mine has the 700r4 and I’m super worried that when I swap it’s gonna blow my trans. It already seems like it struggles to hold the power of a 305. Just feels like a weak trans.
Old 01-07-2019, 05:35 PM
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Car: 82 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 350 Vortec, sprayed
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Spooled Strange 12 bolt, 3.73 gears
Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

Originally Posted by 6DRIP6GOD6

Mine has the 700r4 and I’m super worried that when I swap it’s gonna blow my trans. It already seems like it struggles to hold the power of a 305. Just feels like a weak trans.
The 700r4's can be pretty stout when they want to be - maybe try looking for a 4l60E if you're worried? I've never bought one so I don't know what they go for or the cost involved is but they can handle a good amount of power, especially from a mild 350.

*edit: Meant to put 4l80e, no real advantage over 4l60e over 700r4... basically the same trans from my understanding. But the 700r4 may just need to be rebuilt, it should have no problem holding the power of a mild 350. My 92 k1500 has a 700r/6l80 and it put in a lot more work than my T/A

Last edited by straightbuchana; 01-07-2019 at 07:25 PM.
Old 01-07-2019, 11:12 PM
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Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to manual swap one? I would love to smack a decent t56 in my car but I’ve heard it’s a mean *** job to manual swap them.
Old 01-07-2019, 11:17 PM
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Car: 82 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 350 Vortec, sprayed
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Spooled Strange 12 bolt, 3.73 gears
Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

Originally Posted by 6DRIP6GOD6
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to manual swap one? I would love to smack a decent t56 in my car but I’ve heard it’s a mean *** job to manual swap them.
I think I'm the only one who barely had any troubles! Lol. Perfect crossmember, I cut the hole for the shifter perfectly the first time, threw the pedals in, etc. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought. Everything else has been a PITA in my car, so maybe I got lucky on that. I'll stop recommending it to people
Old 01-08-2019, 12:03 AM
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Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

Originally Posted by straightbuchana
I think I'm the only one who barely had any troubles! Lol. Perfect crossmember, I cut the hole for the shifter perfectly the first time, threw the pedals in, etc. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought. Everything else has been a PITA in my car, so maybe I got lucky on that. I'll stop recommending it to people
well hell if it was easy for you maybe it isn’t too bad. Thanks for the pointers!
Old 01-08-2019, 12:27 AM
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Car: 82 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 350 Vortec, sprayed
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Spooled Strange 12 bolt, 3.73 gears
Re: Easiest swap for about 300-350 hp

Originally Posted by 6DRIP6GOD6

well hell if it was easy for you maybe it isn’t too bad. Thanks for the pointers!
I personally didn't think it was, but I know some people have a hard time, especially finding the right crossmember. I'm sure there's plenty of threads on doing the swap if you ever think about doing it!
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