i live in illinois and am looking into a v6- v8 swap and wanted to know if anyone around here has done this and has any advice or know of any reputable shops that do this
thanks

 

I did that. What type of engine are you puting in, like fuel injection type? And what is the specs on your ride?

 

W/O knowing the injection type here are some must dos when doin a V8 swap into a V6 car...

Bigger radiator (bone yard one from a V8 camaro)
V8 motor mounts
Headers (can use manifolds but why would u?)
springs to handle the V8
tranny obviously
different ECM if ur stayin FI

My advice to u woud be to buy a V8 camaro/Firebird car that has a good or blown motor just so that u have all the parts need to do the swap! theres more that I forgot but some one will fill in where I left off...

Good luck

Jason

 

Ya, motor mounts are around 50 bucks total for the metal bracket part from Gm. If you pull a motor like i did from a van or truck. You may need to mount the alterator and other pulley drive stuff lower so the hood with close. Have to chop down oil and trans check tube lines. Reason I said fuel set-up was to deal with fuel injection. If use a fuel injection motor, take all the wires and computer stuff you can find. It is not the easiest thing to toss in a fuel injection motor in. You'll have to hook a fan up too. Also if you got stuck with the 2.8MPFI engine, as far as i know that transmission will not bolt up to anyother engine. and yes the headers is a great idea too, cheap and easy to put on when the new engine is not in the car yet. also as stated by Fbirdta878787, spring and shocks is good to. I drove mine car 300 miles back home on old shocks. I could lift the front end up and it would stay. Thanks Fbirdta878787 for reminding me that other important info.

 

No Problem! Always tryin to help! And personally if I were you for the same price as a 305 u can swa in a 350. So if u can go 350! u'll be happy u did. Umm the tranny from the 2.8 will not bolt up to the V8 block. if you have a manual u can use that tranny but have to get a different bell housing. Also that a V6 manual trany will also have to be rebuilt t handle the power from the V8. I think it would be ok with a stock 305 w/o ever beating it. Just granny shiftin it. But ifu wanna go out a rip around on weekends I would HIGHLY suggest a rebuild with beefier parts. Search around the boards for info on what to use. Um for us to really help you though we need to know what u plans are...

I'll post some more must dos, as I remember them..

Jason

 

thanks for the help so far i have the 2.8 mpfi 6 right now i think i can pick up a 350 4 bolt out of an el camino with 500 miles supposedly for like $200 so i think i may go with that motor if its legit. i am looking at going carb so i dont have to deal with the computer. and i know i need a new trans right now its auto id like to go manual but i dont know how hard it would be.
thanks for any help

 

I am just finnishing up one right now...went from an 86 Bird 2.8L to a 91 Camaro 305V8. I had the entire parts car to work with so I took everything I needed and swapped it over. If you are going carb it will be a lot easier as I am messing with a lot of wires right now joining hte system.

 

i did a swap in my 92 rs, was a 3.1L with a five speed now a 92 350 TPI five speed. got a hold of a junk 89 IROC that hadnt run in 4 years. i kept the tpi, used the v6 harness and added to it from the 89 v8 harness. also the ecm from 90 to 92 is the same for v6 and v8 except for having to do a PROM change. also if you put the AIR system in it gets a little tricky. you actually have to add a wire to your ecm for the v8 AIR. all other systems match. all you have to do is put the connectors from whatever engine your using onto the existing wires.

also dont use a v6 manual trans with a v8. besides clutch parts being hard to come by it rides like dog****. first and second are geared different and youll just slip the clutch if you try and gun the engine. i did that and it lasted a month before i put in a v8 trans. i left the AIR system out as well as the air pump.