Forgive my ignorance. I'm not a big car buff, but I'm learning as I go.

We ended up with these two Camaros on our hands and I really like the Iroc. It needs work, but ah well, it runs fine.

My question is about the engine. We were thinking about selling it and a guy came over and said the engine isn't stock.

When we got the car, we were told it was a 350. I have no idea if it is a swap or what. I thought they came with a TPI, but as you can see that isn't the case with this engine.

Any help would be great. I'm looking to fix her up through the summer and I'd like to know what I'm working with.





Glad I found these forums and I can't want to post more!

 

no, it definitely isn't stock. Nor technically legal. But if it runs well, that's the main thing.
To determine what you have, you'll have to find the casting numbers. The casting number for the block is best viewed from above and behind the driver's side valve cover. You'll have to pull a valve cover off to get the casting number for the head. But since heads don't always stay in matched pairs, better check them both. Valve cover gaskets come 2 per box anyway, so why not.
this still won't tell us the crank, so we'll be guessing on the stroke and the displacement, and there's no telling what pistons will be in there, so compression is anyone's guess.
You say it runs fine, but in what rpm range?

 

Alright I'll have to look for those in the morning.

I didn't actually take a look at the RPM when I had it running today but I'll get that tomorrow also.

Why wouldn't it be "technically legal"? Just curious.

 

All of the smog stuff has been removed, so technically its not street legal. However if you dont have visual inspections and the motor can pass the sniffer, no one will care.

The casting numbers will give you an idea of what the motor is from, but the only way to know FOR SURE what parts are in it is to take it apart. Casting numbers wont tell you if its got a different crank/pistons/rods/cam, or if its been bored.

That engine bay is filthy, I suggest you take a power washer to it and clean some of the age off.

 

Yeah. I'm actually down in McAllen, Tx. When I've taken my other car for inspection they never open the hood. Not sure about smog regs though. I never really worried about it with my other car.

And yes, the whole car is filthy. Its been sitting God knows where for probably two or more years before it got here.

Thanks for the input. I'll see what I can do.

 

Some places around Texas do visual testing, but as long as you can pass the sniffer test, its shouldn't be a problem.

 

that looks really old. i wouldn't be surprised if that is still a 305. it has pre 86 heads on it. thats all i can tell by the pic.