My husband just purchased me a 1984 Berlinetta Camaro.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions in helping get this Camaro going. It does not have a motor or tranny in it yet.
He wants to put in a 350 motor and a TH 350 transmission.

As you know it has a digital dashboard in it and I would like to keep it that way. One problem he may have is: it was a manual transmission, I want a automatic in it. Can this be done?

Any info you can share will be gratly appreciated.

I dont exactly know how to do this swap, but you will most likely need to change the transmission crossmember if switchng from manual to an auto.

the berlinetta was originally a4cylinder? or a 6?

well, whatever, if your going to an 8, you will need to change the motor mounts, not hard, just get them from a junkyard.

why a t-350?
the 700r4 is a much better transmission, it has a better first gear ratio than a t350, and also has overdrive, and a lock up converter.
true it cant handle as much power, but since you need to get all new part anyway, you may as well get a race ready 700r4.
a good tranny shop should be able to race build it for 900, thats what I was quoted. if you provide them a transmission to work on.

Think I found a 305 HO out of a Monte SS with a 700-R4. My concern is getting the Electronic speedometer to work with the new tranny. Car was a v-6 with a T-5 tranny to start with.

check the tech. archives, I think there is an article on how to swap in an electric. speeod.

The trans out of the Monte is a 2004R, very similar to the 700r4. You will need the obvious stuff like new mounts for motor and trans, engine accessories, and lots of little stuff like wiring, brackets, cables.

If it's a 200 4R the xmember will either need to be fabricated or Spohn sells one. And you will need to figure out how to mount the torque arm (Spohn's has that already done for you). The driveshaft I believe is a different length. Might be the same length as the 3 speed auto 3rd gens. Don't remember. Just some other things to keep in mind.

Good luck

You need to move the Speed sensor out of the original tail shaft and put it inplace of the new tranny's speedo cable. I would just get a built 700R4 behind the 350. Thats what I did with my '84 berl.

R

and all same splines too,

good luck

If they're ever really done

what did you do?

R

WS6Berlinetta: i did everything to the car
383,new quarter panels ,new fenders , cowl hood,paint, subframe connectors,etc

Holy @!#!$ Man Nice work For just a year :-D see you havnt posted to much But looks Crazy good:yourock:

You need to post more... nice work on the car

I like the way you left the body pretty much stock and added the cowl hood. Nice job.

That Berlinetta body is FAR from stock !!! The Berlinetta's had NO ground effects from the factory,....... Just a duck-tail fin and even that was optional (even though it was placed on almost every V8 I ever saw ! )

bunden ------>

If you haven't done it already; Be SURE that you install the frame-rail to crossmember braces that were availible on all the Z28's,.... but were NOT factory installed on your car !! Those braces will prevent the drivers side frame-rail from developing stress cracks due years & Years of abuse from the steering box pulling on that Frame rail !! You can find those braces on almost all F-Body cars from 86 & up. A "wonder bar" is also a real good idea too since you have added a few extra horses under the hood !

Nice Job ! Real nice ~

John--do you have a pic of those braces? I don't think I've seen those before.

Sorry, my mistake. Once again my opinions are wrong.

A Camero body with ground effects is a stock option, maybe not for a Berlinetta, but for other versions yes.

The car has no giant spoiler,
no big chrome tailpipe,
no stickers,
no 18 inch plus wheels with rubberbands for tires, sticking out 5 inches past the fenders.

Its a grass roots hotrod that looks kick *** and almost stock.

Once again Great Job!

I had a z-28 donor car so I swapped the front braces on it.The Berlinetta was a V-6 car originally.The ground F/X came from the Z as well.

Very nice!!!! Atleast I can still claim to be the fastest berl on the west coast.

R

Here's a picture of the braces,............. the 2 on the left & right are the frame-rail to crossmember braces & the one on the bottom gets mounted under the drivers side "battery tray".

I know the picture is not the best, but it's the only one I have availible right now ! My buddy Mike sent me a write-up and some pictures about this upgrade to place on my website for other Berlinetta owners so they are aware of the braces but I just can't seem to find any time to update my damn site !!!

Thos braces help a bit with the body twist I had when I put the 350 in my '84. WS6 sway bars and an Iroc wonder bar helped too.

R