I have an 88 Camaro with a 5.0 TBI and would like to replace it with a 5.7 Olds Diesel (ok, stop laughing) the questions are would it bolt in to the 700R4 and what other Mods would be required? I am assuming cooling will be a problem as well as fuel delivery to the injector pump. Has anyone ever tried this swap?

 

Well, I have to admit I am having a hard time with the "stop laughing" part. But, since you're new here, I'll do my best.

No, it won't bolt up; yes, you'll have many, many problems - like power brakes, engine mounts, and what you listed. You'll end up with a heavier car with less power that will take a couple of decades of driving to recoupe the expense of the conversion through improved fuel economy.

We'll promise to stop laughing if you promise not to attempt this.

 

change the diesel over to a gas motor and you have a really nice strong motor good to I believe 6500rpm. The olds diesel is supposed to be this great engine when converted to gas because its a DX block with a high nickel content. I would research this more.

If you put it in your car as a diesel,.....Sorry, anything I say will be mean so I'll keep quiet. Convert it to a gas motor.

 

I actually won't stop laughing, even if you promise not to do this. No good can come out if it. Ever. For the cost, and the trouble, and loss of driving pleasure you will experience, why not just buy a 305 crate motor and drop it in? It would fit better, perform MUCH better, and be equally ridiculous in all other aspects, but in a good way as compared to the bad way your grandfather's olds would.

-- Henry

 

Well, I know it is a bit "out there" to even consider doing this, it would be a first I would imagine. The Olds engine is a good engine, probably just not suited for this purpose and so I will drop the idea, I had a regular old chevy small block from a '69 Vette that would be better put to use in this car. The only question there is will that old block fit to the TBI intake and exhaust manifolds? Sorry I am used to the older generation cars without the TBI's and TPI's, thanks for your help!!

 

The Vette engine is a much better starting point. The heads, though, unless reworked, will not be compatible with unleaded fuel (not a big problem, but a long-term durability issue). You could have the heads reworked, with hardened valves & seats, and put that engine in for a lot less than the diesel would cost to install.

The intake center two bolts holes on each side will be at a different angle on your manifold than on those older heads, but the manifold holes can be elongated to fit. You might want to consider upgrading from the stock manifold, though. Inquire on the TBI forum on how best to make the TBI work with that engine.

You don't really want to choke a 350 with stock 305 TBI exhaust manifolds. The exhaust forum will have plenty of info on what to do there.

You will also need a 153-tooth flex plate for a two-piece rear main seal crank. Any '82-'85 3rd gen V8 part will work.

 

I have yet to have the old heads reworked for the small block so I am wondering if the 305 heads would bolt up to that block and if so that would allievite the need to mod the intake. I agree that the exhaust manifolds are to small and that can be addressed later. I didn't realize I needed a different flex plate to match up to the older crank. Thanks a lot for the help on this car, I still drive it motor never has been out and I have 158K on the car (California emmisions) I am just ready to tear into it soon before it leaves me on the side of the road. The old 305 does well, doesn't burn any oil, but likes to leak a bit on occasion.

 

Two problems with the 305 TBI heads: 1) the chambers are small, so the compression on a 350 would be sky-high; 2) they're junk for performance on a 305, would be even worse on a 350.

You might consider World S/R Torquer heads. They've got the hardened valves & seats, flow well, have the correct chamber size, and are available with the proper bolt angle.