well i was just looking through some sort of catalog and the replacement gm goodwrench 350 engines were for 71-85 5.7 liters, and 87-95 5.7 liters. did GM not make a 350 in 86? my brother wants to replace the L69 305 to a 350 in his 86 z28, but we dont know which one to get...

since hes away and i dont live close to him, and i cant look a his motor, i thought we could solve this if we know if he has centerbolt or perimeter bolt valve covers, right? which ones did 86's have?

thanksfor the help

 

I know what you're talking about, but I can only guess at the reasons.

'86 was a transition year for one-piece rear main seals, and (rumored) for roller cam and intake manifold bolt angle. Since exactly what you have isn't known (without checking), I suspect they aren't willing to say which type of engine will fit what you have.

Only a guess; but I've seen the same omission for gasket sets.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

every 86 i've ever seen is the older style.

 

Vise versa, every 86 Ive seen is 1 piece rear main, some with centerbolt heads and some WO.
Wierd stuff.
SSC

 

I have seen a few '86 year engines. What I saw was that they had the newer one piece rear main seal and external balance like the later models. However, the valve train and heads were identical to the 80-85 makes. So the reason is that its a hybrid. You can't replace an '86 engine with an '85, at least not without buying a few new parts. The flexplate is different as is the oil pan. At the same time an '87 is a roller cam engine and isn't a correct replacement either. You would probably be better off going with the '87 year. This will give you a factory roller cam and will mate to your other parts right. I think you'll find a difference in the heads, as they may be center bolts with a different set of angles on the intake manifold bolts. Either way, its your choice. Or I guess your brother's choice.

[This message has been edited by Grand Prix (edited July 09, 2001).]

 

if he does go with a newer 87 motor, which parts will need to be changed? this is just a L69 305 4bbl, so i will need a new intake i know, but is that it? thanks a lot

 

Some of the GM motors were actually drilled to accept both types of intake manifolds. The only problem with those is that the manifold bolt holes were drilled into water jackets, so you have to use thread sealer. The other thing that you'll need is center-bolt valve covers. Just keep looking around. The Vortec heads that I bought preassembled were drilled for both types of manifolds, and the World heads that my brother bought are drilled for both types of valve covers. The other thing is that the '87 and later heads also had raised intake ports, so some manifolds won't work. Most of the dealers who sell these engines are very knowledgeable and will be able to help you more than I can. On another note, what are you doing with the L69 heads? Send me an email if you want to get rid of them.

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'87 Bird 350 .060 over 700R4 + Lots more

 

grrrr 86 sucked lol

Steve

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86 Firebird, LG4, t-tops, 2.73 open rear, SLP 3 inch cat back exhaust, catco cat, 1 inch carb spacer, Fiberglass cowl induction hood, Formula wheels, vette servo.

Current Plans: Waiting on: rear end parts- upgrading to 373's, 28 spline axels, slp zexel torsion posi, and a disk brake setup. Also have lowering springs, front struts, and hopefully a new mild 350.


My Webpage- Battle of the birds, My own Thirdgen Page, still under construction, http://www.geocities.com/soares711/index.htm

88 Firebird Formula- deseased 2/9/99- 305 TPI, SLP 3 inch exhaust, SLP Intake runners, SLP cam, 3.45 BW disc brake posi, WS6, NOS, and all that good stuff, 13.8 on the motor, 12.89 on NOS and slicks! Hit by what else!?!? a FORD EXPLORER!!!!!!

 

Although World heads are drilled for both valve cover styles, you have to grind off the perimeter bosses if you want to use centerbolt valve covers. And, you have to choose between the '86-earlier or '87-later intake pattern. But, that's off the topic.

Vortec is another story all together, and shouldn't even be mentioned for this topic, either.

You don't necessarily have to buy a new intake if you get '87-later style heads and the current intake is '86-older. The bolt holes can be elongated to make it work. But, you'll be upgrading the intake, anyway, so just get the proper Performer or Action + for the head style that comes with the engine.


I'd vote for the '87-later engine style for the reasons mentioned above. Then, at most, you'd have to change the intake.

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited July 10, 2001).]

 

STAY AWAY from the goodwrench 350-oil burning
junk! get a performance parts 350-ho or zz4
just my 2$$

 

350HO is Vortec heads, requires special intake, no exhaust passage for EGR, etc., etc., etc. Hardly a "replacement" engine.

I have a Goodwrench 350 in my '84 fullsize G20 van. 50k miles on the engine, used primarily to pull a horse trailer for the last 40k (5 years), uses about a quart every 5k miles. I wouldn't call that "oil burning junk". But, then, I use AMSOIL synthetic in it exclusively...

 

Wait, stop the presses! What have we been doing here?

Forget those catalog engines, go for the HO 350 Camaro Conversion kit p/n 10185077! ZZ4, factory-warrantied, EPA-friendly replacement for '82-'87 carb'd automatic 3rd gens! Everything you need to turn your lame, tame L69 into a mean, lean, barn-burnin', pavement poundin', 5.0-eating fighting machine! ("Premium fuel required.")

 

That costs around $5K last I saw. You get a lot of stuff with that package though. I don't think the ZZ4 heads (Al L98 heads) have EGR provisions either. They must have come up with a workaround for that kit to get emissions friendly. Could do the same with the Vortec motor. That kit comes with the Dual catalytic converter exhaust setup with standard exhaust manifolds (IIRC). I'd personally rather just get a decent set of aftermarket headers, a good single 3" cat, and a good cat-back. Thus negating alot of what that kit comes with.

I'd just get the Vortec headed 350 HO though. You're buying a new intake anyway, so that's no biggie. Nothing else to worry about short of what to do with emissions. As long as you're not in the People's Republic of Kalifornia you'll be fine ditching the EGR and smog crap as long as you keep a good functioning catalytic converter. My Vortec headed 350 (not the crate engine, mine has a bigger cam and higher compression) passes the IM240 dyno emissions test here with total ease with nothing but the cat installed...


------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited July 10, 2001).]

 

that zz4 kit is worth it though, i heard it comes complete all the way down to the friggen spark plugs and it has lower LCA's with poly bushings to plant the power AND transmission components too, thats a pretty good kit if u ask me.

but, i think we could spend that 4500 - 5000 a lot better, and swappin that L69 to a Vortech might be just the thing....

 

The work-around for the EGR valve in the ZZ4 conversion kit is a tube from the exhaust manifold to what used to be the hot air choke port on the intake manifold. The ZZ3/ZZ4 manifold has this hot air port as well as the EGR mount, but I don't believe I've seen that on a Vortec EGR manifold.

But, that's how you do it if you have non-crossover heads and need EGR.

Some disadvantages of the Vortec head: Press in rocker studs; lift limiting valve springs (requires machining if you want increased lift); cast iron; special Vortec-only intake required. The ZZ4 addresses all those issues.

 

Yes but if you're just going to be running a cam the size of the ZZ4 cam you don't have anything to worry about with either setup.

------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

 

The not-to-exceed number I keep hearing for stock Vortec springs is .480.

ZZ4 cam ex lift is .510 with 1.5s. The 350 HO lift is .460 ex.

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited July 11, 2001).]

 

You're right, I was thinking the ZZ4 cam had .474 on both intake and exhaust. However, the CompCams 268 is a fairly hot cam that makes good power and works great with the Vortecs (.477/.480). That cam with the Vortecs and a decent compression 350 should outpower the ZZ4 engine. IE I think this guy can make plenty of power for what he sounds like he wants with the stock Vortecs, thus negating one of their drawbacks at least for this comparo.
------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray


[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited July 11, 2001).]

 

the ramjet 502 would definetly be the best choice.

 

i have a chance to get a 1987 350 tpi (stock) engine, i plan on dropping it into my 1986, will this be a problem, its a complete engine tpi and everything

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1986 TPI 305 TRANS AM

 

Of course my Next Generation catolog disappears when I'm trying to find the cam specs for the ZZ4. Anyway, it's .474 inches of lift on the intake and .510 on the exhaust. Very similar to NitrousHP cam profiles. hmmmmm