Hi everybody! I've been lurking around and posing some questions here and there. I'd like to get some advice on upgrading my 82 Camaro. To start with, I plan on keeping it mostly stock and driving it on nice days. I don't plan on doing any racing. I also want to change from the TH200 Auto to either a 4-speed or 5-speed manual.

I want a nice driver with as much pep as I can get from the V6.

I plan on disconnecting the ECM so I will be going to a non-ECM carb and distributor.

Here are my thoughts: Buy a 3.4L GM Performance Crate Engine, Edelbrock 4-Barrel Intake, Holley 390CFM Carb, Pace Setter Headers, Non-ECM S10 Distributor, and MSD Ignition. To stay as close to an 82 as possible, find a T10 4-speed car and swap all the parts over.

How does all this sound? Am I going to get a decent driver out of this or am I going too far?

Any thoughts and advice are welcome!

 

That's more work than necessary find a 3.4 shortblock, put all your 2.8 stuff on to it...that simple really, if you really want to not have an ECM in the equation you could still do that, but all you really need to do is take a 3.4 shortblock, remove heads, cam, lifters, intake manifold, and carb off the 2.8 and bolt it to the 3.4.
If you want more power than that will give(probably will give pretty much same output as a stock 3.4, assuming your carb is big enough(I wouldn't know if it is or not)), then you can get a cam, set of lifters, can always upgrade the rockers to 1.6 and or rollers, headers, catback exhaust, a CAI, better intake manifold and bigger carb. Hope that helps.

 

Oh also, find a used one, ideally a shortblock, but there's not point buying a whole new engine to only use the bottom half of it.

 

Oh, I forgot to add this link: http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=22494

 

True, used is an option. But this is my dream car and I'd like it to last for a few decades more

 

You're better off spending $350 on a used engine and rebuilding it, shouldn't cost more than a grand if you do it yourself and will be every bit as reliable. Just my own advice, engines only being good to xxx miles is a common misconception, if you know when and what to rebuild you can easily have one last 500k if not more, as long as you maintain them basically, which means fuel filter, air filter, oil+oil filter, trans fluid, PCV valve, spark plugs and such changed as needed, and IMO, do a top end rebuild at 120k, bottom end probably 160-180k.

 

finding a used one and rebuilding it is a way better idea, you can find them pretty cheap still seeing as they are turning up in junkyards a lot more and it wont cost much to rebuild the bottom end

since you want to use our carb setup you pretty much just need to put it on top and away you go, i dunno on if the carb is big enough either, never had a carb

 

Getting the HT 3.4 is a good idea. In theory, anyways. The thing with the crate is that all of the parts either are or should be pretty much brand new. Other than the fact that the parts are new, there is a slight problem. The HT 3.4 was designed to go into 2.8 powered S10 trucks. We don't have S10's. The S10 supposedly had a slightly different oil pan, so that would need to be swapped at the very least.

Other than the engine, the carb choice and the intake are a good idea, along with the headers. Get a slightly bigger cam, though, to go with the opened air flow. Try to find either a non-CCC dizzy from MSD or use a 78-80 HEI dizzy from something similar to the X-11 Citation. You and your wallet will be much happier with a T5, which doesn't require the shift linkage adjustment a T10 does periodically. You can either go with the mechanical clutch or hydraulic with your 82. I'd recommend a hydraulic set if the car allows.

:edit: Just read the info on that link. Since the HT 3.4 doesn't have the boss for the z-bar for the mechanical clutch, you'd be stuck with the hydraulic clutch system. And the engine would require the installation of either an inline or in tank fuel pump, as there is no provision for the mechanical carb pump.

 

the 3.4 from gm performance parts is a good idea, if you are building a dream car, a new engine would be good, but like what has been stated, oil pan is probably different. Those pacestter headers are pretty good, ive had them on my 88 2.8, and between that the exhaust, and 4.10 gears, the car was totally different. I would strongly suggest rear gears. Comp cams also makes some 1.5/1.6 roller rockers that are worth the money, about $130 a set for 1.6s, just be careful if you add a cam, if you do, go with the 1.5s. Finding a t10 with that metric bellhousing for the 60 degree v6 may be tough, i too strongly suggest a v6 t-5.

 

for 2000 dollars and a junk yard shortblock you could get way more i feel than if you bought the crate motor

course i have like 6000 dollars in mine but its pretty much got everything on it you can do short of the hybrid swaps

 

true, you would spend over 2000 on just the ht3.4, if you found a good used one, the money you saved could go to other performance parts and or a rebuild. Its all about how deep your pockets are. A good used 60degreev6 should be easy to find

 

i paid 500 i think from the junkyard with well under 100,000 miles on it, and you could spend the rest on upgrading heads and exhaust and have a way better motor. you can use the 3.4 oilpan but youll have to make the exhaust fit around it, but if your upgrading exhaust anyways its one less thing you have to take off

 

Heh, also a good point in fact, I'm going to list what I would do with 2k to spend.

*Complete running 3.4 ~$250(Possibly more, possibly less, I would sell the top half of the engine, probably get $100 out of doing that)
*hypereutic pistons+rings, probably ~$320
*intake manifold $170
*new main bearings $40
*delta cam and lifter set $126
*crank remachined, probably $75
*heads rebuilt with new stem seals, and ported ~$300
*1.6 roller rockers $135
*stronger springs $100
*pacesetter headers $300 non ceramic coated, just paint with high temp exhaust paint
$1816
+w/e misc gaskets and bolts, will bring to about 2k
Even with headers in the budget you'll have an engine that's pretty much brand spanking new, for less, with near twice the power.

Edit: left the carb out of the budget, but I imagine one could be had for the price of the headers, so you're still coming out of it way better off.

 

I'd rather spend the $300 or whatever it is for a crank kit... Just in case there is a flaw in the metal, and then you don't have to worry about oil clearances, plus it's more than likely a new casting. And I'd sell the 82 heads and keep the existing 3.4 heads, because the valves are bigger. But, even with your list being as complete as it is, you'd need to factor in whatever money obtained from selling the 2.8, whole or parts or to a scrap yard (about what it's worth with the small crank, weak cam, and small ports in the heads). With this, a carb can easily be obtained, and possibly a manifold.

 

I've got one of the edelbrock carb base manifold and adaptor. PM me if you're interested. I've also got a Holley carb (I think its a 390) but I've never used it and some parts got robbed off of it.