HI everyone,

Looking for some help. I just ordered a new Blueprint Engines 350 advertised at 390hp for my 87 Camaro which used to have the 305 LG4 in it. It has the Borg Warner 5 speed T5 in it. I would like to get a new flywheel or if possible get my old 305 flywheel machined and use it but, unsure if it would be balanced right etc for and the new 350 engine. The guy at Blueprint engines had suggested this one for my application https://blueprintengines.com/product...heel-bpp300116 I am concerned that this flywheel may not clear my stock bell housing. Kind of bumming because I can't get a straight answer. I have been suggested by Mcleod racing to stick with the smaller setup and they recommended these part #'s. Blueprint had recommended that I reach out to Mcleod racing for the clutch etc but what's frustrating is the conflicting info (they advise another type of flywheel). What would you guys do or get for the setup. My old flywheel is 153 tooth and the blueprint one is 168 which would mean I would need a new starter etc I assume.... Any help would be much much appreciated. Another thing I noticed is that the Mcleod setup says the weights for the flywheel are for LS swaps so things are just very unclear. Flywheel – 460360



External Balance Counterweight Kit – 560222



Crank Bolts – 1540



P/P Bolts – 1500



Clutch Kit – 75225

 

Depends on what the age range of the rebuilt motor is.

If it's 86-up (1 pc rear main seal) you can use your existing flywheel.

If it's 85-back (2 pc RMS) you'll need a flywheel for 83-85 Camaro/Firebird V8 T-5. You'll find there are 2, at 16 lb and 22 lb, more or less; you'll probably want the lighter one.

 

If he recommended a 1 piece seal style flywheel, your stock one should work if it's an 87. If you use your stock flywheel and your clutch isn't too worn out you can reuse that all as well. I ran a 350hp 350 for a while on a stock flywheel/clutch w my t5. It all worked OK. A 350 is a bit much for the stock clutch/t5 but if you're cautiously abusive to it, it may last a while. On the other side of things, if the engine/trans is out, why not put in a new clutch. I think is depends on what your future plans for the trans are.

the 168 won't work w your bellhousing/starter. You should stay w the 153.

 

 

I'll have to add that one to my list:

Civil war
Jumbo shrimp
Masculine sensitivity
Feminine logic
Military intelligence
Government competence

And so on...

 

Awesome thanks guys. It’s my understanding that after a certain year they went to a one piece rear main seal. at that time, the balanced flywheels came in to play. This engine will have a one piece rear main seal.

I just find it odd that a flywheel for a 305 would be compatible with the 350. Curious what the weight is for on the flywheel. is it for balancing out the flywheel itself or does it help balance internal components?

 

86-up uses the flywheel with the slight unbalance. Your 87 flywheel will work.

Not sure why it would seem odd. After all, they have the same stroke, the same rods, and use the same crank castings.



Here's what the flywheel flange of a 85-back 305 or 350 (among others, but not all) looks like. Note the funky shaped flange. That's actually the rearmost INTERNAL balance weight on the crank, which has to be mounted EXTERNALLY with respect to the oil pan. Since the 86-up flange has to be round, and can't be that shape, they had to relocate that little bit of INTERNAL balance weight to the flywheel or flex plate. The engine is still INTERNALLY balanced; just, it has that little bit of weight, located in a place that LOOKS even more "external", even though it's not.

 

Thanks for explaining so clearly. I figured each engine would have its own imbalances just like balancing a tire and wheel or a crankshaft. So I just wasn’t grasping that you could interchange the flywheels between different motors. This site has been so helpful over the years and has helped me learn so much.