Hello guys i have 1983 Z28 with no motor or trans. And being a former Mopar Man i don't really know all the combos i can go with. I plan on building a 383 and putting a 5 speed in the car but don't really know what parts would interchange with what (meaning would a truck bellhousing and trans work in the camaro?). Any help would be welcomed thanks

 

I would first do some research so you know what engines/trans are the most worth your time. If you are sure on a manual I would probably ditch the 5 speed, unless you want to send it to get it built. Stock they only hold about 300 hp/tq. A t56, which is found in the 93-97 camaros, and several other cars, is a 6-speed(2 overdrives) and will handle up to 450+hp , some have had 600hp and still running it strong.

Any old sbc 350 will work, but if you are wanting to use the t56, then I would go with a 96-02 "Vortec" 350 block out of a tahoe or truck. The Vortec block is roller cam ready, and is a 1-piece rear main seal. With this it will be a lot cheaper to use the t56 because of it's reverse style clutch setup. The vortecs have the best flowing stock heads for a gen I small block chevy. With this block I would get a simple vortec intake and a cccarb. I would also get a pair of shorty headers from summit for cheap, or step up and get some headmans..

 

Yeah definitely don't put a T5 behind a 383. The T56 that you'd be looking for would have to be 93-97 from an LT1 engine, the LS style is different and won't bolt to a Gen I SBC.

 

That is right, I forgot to mention that, I looked into ls swaps and forgot all about gen I blocks.

 

When you mean Gen I 350 what do you mean??? Would that be the one piece seal or two piece or the vortec style block? I can get a 350 two piece seal style block that is already .30 over. Would that fit the T-56 trans.? If i found the correct bell housing?

 

Gen I refers to anything prior to the LT1, or the truck engines up to ?99? I think was when they switched. The Vortec engines are still Gen 1s.

For a tranny, you will HAVE TO run a F-body tranny for the torque arm mount. OR get an aftermarket tranny crossmember that has provisions for a torque arm mount on it.

 

Yeah there are 3 generations of chevy engines, wiki can help you there but the basics are up to 90's LT1 motor it is gen I. Gen II is the LT1/x, and gen III being the LQ truck motors and the LS car motors.

With the 2-piece rear main seal, you are going to have to buy a new flywheel to mate up with the reverse style clutch. If you were dead set on a t56, then I would try to save a little money and go with a 1 piece RMS, aka the vortec truck block. The vortec rods are stronger, the 4 bolt center valve covers supposidely never leak, and the block is a tad bit stronger because some kind of webbing or something?

You can still use the 2 piece rms, but you will need to buy an aftermarket flywheel such as : http://www.jegs.com/i/Centerforce/183/700173/10002/-1
Which will cost you $390.

 

Well the whole thing with me is my cousin has a .30 over 350 that i could make a 383 very easliy. But if it would be more of a benefit to get something like a Lt1 engine or something like that being that i have to get a t-56 or t-5 trans being that i have a third gen. camaro because i don't really know what can go in it or what i need because i have no motor or trans.

 

Another option you have is to carb an LQ4 motor with an ls1 t56 behind it. . If I were you I would search and search for a good while until you learn what exactly goes with what, and what kind of power you are looking for.