My 85 camaro sport coupe has a 2.8 V6 and automatic transmission in it. It doesn’t run and needs a lot to make noise so I’ve got a 350 someone gave me and I have no clues how to go about doing it. It’s my first project car and my first engine swap. I know it’s gonna need a new radiator, fuel pump and other stuff like that. The only things I’m questioning is the wiring and the motor mounts. I’ve test fitted the 350 and right away I noticed the stock mounts don’t line up. And I’m concerned about how I’m gonna hook up ignition and the starting system to the factory harness if possible. Can anyone help?

 

Read the V-6 to V-8 swap thread in the Engine Swap subforum. It's very informative...

 

"a 350 someone gave me" is usually a red flag.

Read the existing threads. Before you turn a single bolt, ID that engine better than "it's a 350", verify that it runs good, before you even think about swapping it. If it's older than about 1987, strongly consider getting a later engine. If the dipstick is on the driver's side of the block, I probably wouldn't mess with it.

 

It's a lot better than "I bought an ATK tree fiddy" or "I went to the Autozone and bought me a tree fiddy."

 

It’s a vortec out of a 96 Chevy 1500. I had driven the truck when it was in and it runs good. It was given to me cause I had done a bunch of work for the guy and he was upgrading the engine in his truck so he gave me the engine

 

This swap would be much more simple if you were pulling the engine/trans from another F-body; going about it as you plan here is going to be a daunting task. Can't really add much to what's already posted in the above-mentioned sticky thread on v6-to-v8, but possibly your biggest hurdles will be what you're going to do about a transmission, and how you plan to address the fuel/intake system and it's computer control.

GL with your project.

ETA:
You might want to start a project thread and document your progress; such threads are usually helpful not only to the poster, but also to anyone else considering such a swap.

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Yes, read the sticky. Covers the basics you need to know. For details not covered, feel free to post and ask.

Be aware that the V6 fuel line is on the opposite side of the V8 fuel pump.

You will have two issues to deal with: 1) the V6 to V8 swap itself; and 2) the fact the 350 is a Vortec engine. If you haven't yet, give up on any notion of using the '96 Vortec EFI. It isn't very good to start with, and would be a nightmare to install in a 3rd gen. Hopefully you don't live in an emissions required area. A non-computer carb swap is your best bet.

Don't be surprised if your 350 doesn't have provision for a mechanical fuel pump. They often weren't machined at the factory if the engine was destined for an EFI vehicle. If that is the case, you're going to have to rig up an electrical fuel pump of some sort. Don't be too intimidated, I had to do that in my '82 Berlinetta originally V6 for the LS that lives in it now.

 

I have 82 Berlinetta V6 that I’m debating putting in a complete 305 TPI V8 from a ‘90 trans am. Will the V8 trans mount just bolt up farther back?or will I have to weld new nuts or bracket? The only other thing is the gauges, I’m probably going after market for the guage set.