Hi!

I currently have a 1982 Camaro Z28 with an unknown engine in it. I want to put another one in it with another transmission too since my TH-200 is not in the best shape.

So, I have spotted an engine to throw in there, but I have some concerns about compatibility. So it's a Pontiac LeMans 1971 350 with a th350. It needs some love but I think it May be a great fit.

So, can you put this engine and transmission pretty much Bolt on?

Will the original motors/ transmission mounts fit?

Do I have to get a different driveshaft?

And if you have any other concerns or help about the swap let me know please!

Thank you!

 

71 LeMans uses a Pontiac 350 and therefore very ill suited for swap into '82 camaro.A 1980 -86 Chevy 350 is the most direct swap,but later 350s can also be used,but there are some differences in details such as intake manifolds.Chevy small blocks before 1980 have LH dipstick that can cause some install bothers.A chevy TH350 transmission can be made to work,but torque arm mounting will take some fabrication.A TH700 can also be used if the needed parts are taken from a later 3rd gen.

 

thanks a lot! I was also wondering what kind fabrication will it need ? And for the th700 is it à pretty much direct swap ?

 

Best choice of an engine, in 2021, is a 96-2000 350 pullout from a truck. RPO L31. Yank the intake system off of it, get a Vortec intake manifold for your Q-Jet, and put your existing distributor and everything else on it. As near a drop-in as you'll ever find.

Best transmission choice is probably the 700-R4. You'll have to add a pair of holes to your "frame" for its crossmember, and you'll need a shorter drive shaft, and the TV cable. Since the drive shaft you have also fits Turbo 350, which some people want, you can probably even-swap for that, possibly even get some boot besides. Other than those 3 things it's pretty much a slap-in.

Avoid Pontiac motors. Decent enough motors on their own, as far as that goes; not gonna set the world on fire, but they worked fine back in their day; but you'll spend more $$$ trying to get a "free" one of those to run and drive in your car, than it will cost you to go out and buy stuff that actually fits.

 

Alright, so if the engine (RPO L31) is it a carburated engine from factory or is it injection? And if I understand I have to yank all of the intake to put a Vortec one with a Quadra-Jet? And also, what are TV cables? Sorry for asking a lot of question I'm 18 years and really new to the muscle car scene. I'm currently studying in a car mechanic school so I know a bit about cars. So my final question, Is that even though the Pontiac 350 might cost more ( I found one for 400$ CAN almost complete but need some love) can it be pretty much drop in with a 700R4?

 

Nope. There's practically nothing that will be "drop in" about putting a pontiac engine in a 3rd gen. Doable yes, but if you're starting at these questions then it's a terrible choice for your swap.

 

Ok, it's just hard to find a engine that will not need a ton of modification/ fabrication in my area...

 

check with local salvage yards to see if they have any 350 Chevy engines-you will probably mostly find pickup/van/suv engines that originally had TBI/CPI injection atop them.The Vortec 350s mentioned upthread would be a good one to look for,though those were prone to coolant leaks that can result in cylinder head cracks.Some salvage yards will warranty lower milage engines.These engines should be cheap enough at most yards that if you get a dud,just buy another and check that one ANY small block Chevy except 92-97 LT1 will easily install with a minimum of modification /fabrication

 

exactly, it's a sbc, one of the most common engines ever. Quite possibly the most common. There has to be one near the OP.

 

Hi Jimmy,

TV cable is the "old" way transmission shifts used to be controlled in relation to throttle input before electronics took over. Here is a great write up on what they do: https://www.holmanparts.com/wp-conte...ustment_V2.pdf

L31 small block chevy 350 (5.7L) is fuel injected stock, but is easily converted to carb using the instructions above. Use a Chevy engine like everyone is recommending, and you'll have a much easier time, and get your car up and running sooner.

 

What is the casting number on the block and the heads on the motor in your car?? I would check that out and see if it is a desirable block and look at rebuilding it if it is. You might have a motor worthy of rebuilding. Heads and intakes can always be changed to increase performance….