Can you put a 318 mopar motor in a 89 Camaro RS (2.8l)

Originally not my question, a family members question.

 

You can put any engine in a car so long as it will physically fit...and Idk offhand the largest engine that will fit without modification to the chassis to accommodate one, but considering third gen's came stock with 350s it will definitely fit, the hard part will be making it work.

 

Does this sound like a horrible idea? I've never done a swap before and honestly don't know what I'm doing half the time. I have an old St. Regis that a few people in my family are saying I should swap the motor in the Camaro. It just sounds like one of those things where I get to a point and realize I've not only messed up 1 car, but 2.

 

I don't know anything about dodge engines, 60*6 chevys are my forte, but retrofitting such a drastically different engine will not be easy, you will also need to swap the transmission and possibly the driveshaft, if you have a v6 in the camaro now, you will need v8 springs for the weight increase, unless its an aluminum engine(I'm assuming its not) in which case you might get away with it. If the engine is run by an ECM you will need to swap that, wiring harness, accessories, I mean basically nothing will be compatible between the two platforms, you will have to make custom motor mounts and everything.
But the hardest part will be that you're in unkown territory, no one can really truly help and tell you exactly what is needed to be done. Unless you have experience swapping in non direct replacement engines, I wouldn't attempt it bro, my 2 cents.

 

Thanks, I'll let everyone know that that idea can be tossed out.

 

What was the reason for the swap if I might ask? And did you already pull the engine/s?

 

the 318 is a good reliable engine. But the amount of work and fabrication wouldn't be worth it if you don't give up beforehand. You should be able to find a SBC for a few hundred dollars.

 

I like that "few hundred." Because I make broke look like the biggie size.

Edit: If I were to do a swap what all do I need?
Edit: NVM Realized this has been posted.

 

Ok, so looking in CL I found a rear ended Tahoe. Would that be better than buying the motor etc.. separately? (It's 600$)

 

If theres enough demand for parts for them you could rip the engine out and part it out, or do what I do, see if THEY will part it out, or sell you just the engine.

 

If it's a good strong motor and is running in the Tahoe, you will save piles of cash if you buy it whole as a donor. The only trouble is that there will likely be compatibility issues between the truck and the car platform. Your best bet is getting a donor Camaro or Firebird. That way you will know for sure that everything will work, and it will bolt in without any serious mods.

 

I know it's posted but what exactly would I want from the Tahoe? I take things extremely literal and have almost no common sense.

Edit: Just read the last post, I'll keep looking.

 

The engine out of a Tahoe would work. You need the ECM, engine (from top to bottom), wiring harness, and the PROM. For the transmission you'll need either the whole transmission or at least the bell housing as the one on the V6 is different. You'll probably need the torque converter and you will probably need the flex plate. The truck oil pan won't clear the F-Body K-member so before installing the engine you'd need to change that out. Given that F-bodies were also equipped with TBI engines you can get a wiring harness from one of those to make things easier if you wanted to stick with TBI in the F-Body. You will also need to change the motor mounts and springs in your car to handle mounting the engine and deal with the increased weight. As a side note, the radiator in your car may be different. I know 3.1L equipped V6 F-Bodies used the same radiator as the V8 cars but I can't say that any of the 2.8L cars did. So bear this in mind as well.

V6 to V8 swaps require a ton of parts.

An even better idea though is to get a 5.7L engine out of an F-body or better yet, buy a 5.7L donor car and then you should have everything you need to get the job done. Though an engine from one may or may not need a rebuild. Of course many people will say at this point that you should ditch your 2.8L car and buy a 5.7L equipped car. That's up to you but depending on the condition of your car and what's available on the market in your area that may in fact be very good advice. On the other hand if your car has pretty much all the options you want save for the powertrain and its in better condition than most third generation F-Bodies then I'd suggest keeping it and swapping the engine. If its not in the best shape then selling it or using it for parts to fix up a V8/L98 car or whatever makes more sense.

 

Ahhh. Ok I was just trying to get some more power the cheapest way I could. My 2.8 needs work so I was thinking if a swap was cheap I'd do that. I'll just keep the 2.8 due to being completely broke.

 

Long as you got a welder and some decent help, the only big cost will be a shortened or lengthended drive shaft.

Pull whole 318 with trans attached, set in place where you want it and weld the mounts in place, get under and make the trans cross member work with more welding n cutting.

Though you also have to do the FI to carb mods, fuel regulator bla bla bla. easy done daily here.

same with the exhaust, cut n weld as needed to make it work.

If you gotta pay to have the work done, never mind.

With a welder and a cut off wheel, anything can be made to fit easy n cheap

 

So honestly, I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not ready to do anything with it. I have the time but I don't have knowledge/proper fundings/the right tools to do anything with it. I'd like to thank every member on this forum who's answered all my awkward questions. I hope all goes well with everyone and their cars. Thanks- Charlie

 

Honestly, from what I have been reading on here, the quickest and cheapest way to get more power without alot of modifications, would be to swap a 3.4L SFI from a 93-95 Camaro-Firebird. They will bolt directly to your transmission, and mount right up to the K-member. You may want to keep all you accessories and brackets, and save your manifolds as well. Those engines are rated for 160 HP from the factory, and your stock 2.8L is only 125.