Okay so I have a stock 85 Camaro z28 hard top 5 speed. That I have had for years I won’t to get rid of the 305. I came across a complete 94 trans am t56 that had a broken flywheel I got the whole car for $500.
I won’t to use the t56. but not sure what engine to use would it be easier to convert the lt1 to carb and hei distributor or to get a l31 vortec 350.
iam open to other thoughts and opinions I won’t to keep it carbed as that’s the way it came from the factory

 

L31

 

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Just kidding. Any SBC engine of choice will fit. What are you wanting to do with the car? I like bigger cube engines, just more fun to drive.

 

I just want a fun driver around 400hp and the t56. I have also have a couple 5.3s a lq4 6.0 and a 72 350 4 bolt main sitting in the shop I could use. I just don’t know the easiest most cost effective way.

one more question I have is I would like to have a one piece rear main seal but wondering what dampener and flywheel I would need or would I need to have it all balanced.

 

Well then, 86-up engine.

Using the LT1 transmission, a stock LT1 flywheel (or replacement for it).

Never hurts to have things balanced. But NOT all together. Have each piece balanced on its own to the STOCK specs - that is, the rotating assy (crank rods & pistons), the flywheel, and the crank damper if necessary, balanced BY THEMSELVES - to the STOCK 305/350/LT1 spec. Avoid words like "external balance". The key words here are STOCK and EACH PIECE ON ITS OWN SEPARATELY. Don't even allow the different parts to be in the same shop at the same time while balancing is going on. Don't let em tell you they "have to have" whatever, because THEY DON'T.

Easiest cheeeeeeeeepest and most satisfactory way to get 400 HP in a "fun driver" is going to be the LQ4, by far. What you'd need to do for a flywheel will depend on which LQ4 it actually is, of the 2 main variants.

 

I’m finishing up a LT1/T56 swap as we speak into an 84 Firebird. If it’s a 2 piece rear seal, you’ll need a new flywheel to be able to use the T56. . It would be an easier swap to leave the LT1 carbureted, but you’ll need to get the carb LT1 intake, a good carb, and non computer controlled hei. I wired my car for fuel injection.