I have a 85 firebird v6 auto that has super low miles and almost perfect interior and exterior with new paint and zero mechanical issues. I want to do a manual swap and engine swap on it because I can't even find a manual firebird in my area. I also have access to a professional garage and way too much extra time on my hands. So I don't need cautionary advice on why I shouldn't do this I just need tech support. I found a 87 iroc z28 with low miles and a running 305 engine and good t5 fivespeed, and its 500 bucks cause the interior and everything else is throughly thrashed. I want to use it as a donor car for the swap. What stuff will fit and what stuff will I need to go out and buy? Thanks!

 

most of it (engine,tranny ,suspension,steering box)will swap right over,but if the 305 is TPI,you will need TPI firebird intake pipe and air filter(different from Camaro) and some wiring harness modifications will be needed,and possibly fuel lines if donor engine is carb.Also tach will need modified or replaced to read correctly

 

thanks! its fuel injection and I'll ask the seller if it's the tpi and what specific wiring needs to be changed or any other off components?

 

that would be TPI-TBI did not appear until 1988.Hard to say what wiring differences there will be, but won't be anything to major.

 

The Firebird V6 was MPFI in 85, it already has the same air cleaner setup as a TPI V8, only the throttle body boot/bellows is different. Honestly the 85-87 Firebird TPI/V6 air cleaner system is awful anyway. The 88-89 Firebird V8 ducting is vastly improved.

Biggest issue is everything is different on the V6 from a V8. It's a lot to swap. For obvious reasons a Firebird donor would be better, and the closest to the same year as possible, but then the 85 TPI system was a major mess electronically with one year only components. Either way it's a lot of work with minimal reward. Probably be dollars and sense ahead to restore the Iroc, since they're sorta worth money at the moment, and a swapped V6 Firebird will probably not be worth what you'll spend to convert it.