Hey, I just picked up a 350 crate motor and I want to swap it into my 305 TPI 1985 Z28 using the stock TPI setup. The motor is out of a delivery van that has around 10,000 miles on the motor. It's a one piece rear main and a 4 bolt block. The van was run with a 4 barrel carb that I didn't get, but I did get pretty much everything else. I want to swap the motors for as little money as possible as I want to make it a 383 stroker with a HSR in the future. I really just want to get it in the car and be ok to drive it next summer w/o problems. I need to know what needs to be changed as far as sensors and wiring goes, how to setup the 350 to get the most torque and power, what fuel system changes are needed, and the easiest way to get the ECM to work right. I'm guessing I'll have to get a new cam, change injectors, knock sensor, and maybe use a corvette ECM. Any help is apreciated.

 

I went throught this exact process on my 85. To this date I have not changed anything. I checked at auto zone and the part numbers for the ESC and knock sensor on a 1985 Corvette is the same as the camaro. Even though one is 305 and the other is 350. I don't get it. Best bet is to change over to a '165 ecm. I think thats what I am going to do.

 

I also swapped out my 305 for a 350 in my 85ta tpi. I didn't changed anything except for the oil pan. The dip stick was on the right side on the 305 and left side for the 350. The exhaust manifold on the drivers side from the 305 would not allow me to just use the 350 dip stick. I used an oil pan that had the dip stick on the drivers side in the oil pan.
Otherwise the TPI was a direct bolt on.

 

What about sensors, prom, ecu, injectors, ...? Also, I was told that putting the 305 heads on the 350 would raise compresion, right?

 

I used the 305 heads on my 350. The 305 tpi intake bolted on the 350 with no mods. The only sensors I remember other then the ones on the intake screw into the head. Temp on one side and fan switch on the other.
Mine runs great with no mods to anything.

 

Ok, so what would a good cam choice be if I use the 305 heads, 1 5/8 headers, and 22# injectors? I have these injectors laying around so Ill probably use them. Should just need to use a corvette prom.

 

Don't forget about the ESC and the knock sensor. That has to be from a 350.

 

so what your tellin me is that i could take the 350 block out in my garage right now have it hot tanked and magnafluxed and stich all my 305 **** into it and drop that ****er in there?

 

Yes thats right. I did that but I used heads from the 350. The car will run fine. I mean its not gonna sputter and die on you but it will also not be running at its full potential. Until you can find a prom for your car keep the 19lb injectors. A good start would be to replace the ESC and the knock sensor first.

 

You must be real conservative with the cam on a tpi. A stock tpi intake is done making horsepower by 5000rpm or less so keep this in mind when choosing a cam. If it hits a lick it is probably to large for a tpi.

 

www.chevythunder.com THIS WEBSITE IS THE BOMB i did my whole build with this bad boy PASS IT ON GREAT SITE

 

Thanks for the help, but I ran the block numbers and found out that the block is much older than what I was told and that it's not a crate motor. I'm going to let it sit till next spring then I'll rebuild it and make it a 383 stroker. I should still be able to use the stock intake with larger injectors, new cam, new esc, and new knock sensor. I found a guy on ebay that will burn me a custom chip for about $250 for the stock computer. I'm sure I'll have more questions for you all next spring.