Hi yall, just picked up my '89 RS a week ago. She's got the 2.8 v6 and an automatic trans to back it up. I'm in the process of collecting all the necessary parts to do a full powertrain swap. I originally planned to throw a 350 in there, but a coworker of mine has a 327 he wants to sell to me. I've read that the 327 is essentially the same as the 350, and I read that a 350 will bolt right up to a t56, that being said, will a 327 also bolt up to a t56? And if I'm gonna be spending all this money doing a swap, should I just go all in and go with an LS? I'm trying to go with the cheapest/easiest option (I know that there's no cheap/easy option but some swaps are cheaper/easier than others)

 

The easiest V6 to V8 swap is to sell the car and find one with a V8. It's not that it's impossible to V8 swap a V6 thirdgen, junkyards and shelter belts are full of abandoned swaps someone thought would be easy, it's that so much is different between them that to do the swap right, and get similar results to a factory V8 car, you're going to need a V8 donor car for parts and you're going to be swapping a bunch of parts. Engine, transmission, radiator, exhaust, belts, hoses, starter, accessory drive, fuel pump, suspension, motor mounts, blah blah blah.

If you're going to do a traditional small block, run far far away from any pre-1987 block, with the possible exception that it's free and already runs. Anything older, and you've got a 2pc rear main seal block that's probably going to **** oil constantly. Get much older than mid 80's and the dipstick tube is going to be on the wrong side of the block and you'll need headers. Then there's the flywheel issue. It's much easier to do a T56 with a LT1 flywheel and a 87-up crankshaft. Also consider that any 70's engine is likely to have shitty smogger heads, and probably needs a complete bill of machine work, you'll spend more than just buying a decent crate engine. But all of that is moot really when everything on the V6 car is different from a V8, just get a V8 to begin with.

 

Let me add that the 327 might have really old heads WITHOUT accessory bolt holes in the ends.
Then nothing is going to mount.
Don't do this.

 

you will be ahead if you can locate remains of a v8 thirdgen to take v6 to v8 parts from:transmission,motor mounts,electrical harness etc.V8 front springs can be bought new. A lot of what to take from a donor vehicle depends on how you plan to fuel the swapped in SBC. The 327 was introduced in 1962 and ended-in 2 barrel form- early in the '69 model year,replaced with 350. Vortec 350-'96-98(and certain applications through '02) is often recommended and a decent easy to use choice- just beware heads are often cracked on a salvaged used engine.