i want to talk to somebody thats done the swap i want to put a carbd 350 into my car so i know i need motor mounts, fuel pressure regulator, and id like to reuse the 5 speed manual for the time being until i can buy a used automatic. so what else do i need?

 

This probably isn't the best place to post this question. Looking in the "Engine Swap" section would probably be more informative for you.

 

this is like the third time iv posted this question their rude in the other sections

 

Being as it's rather late, and I'm pretty tired, I'll leave it up to someone else to chime in with other notes at this point, but I will point out a thing or two concerning the transmission.

In order to use the existing V6 T5 with the V8, you're going to have to acquire a V8 bellhousing from a V8-equipped thirdgen. The 60* V6 and 90* V8 engines have different bellhousing bolt patterns.

A clutch made for a V8-T5 thirdgen is not going to work. If I'm remembering correctly, you'd need to have a clutch custom-made to fit the V8 fly-wheel and mate up with the input shaft on the V6 transmission as the V6-T5 input shaft has 14 splines, whereas the V8-T5 is 26.

And then there is also the fact that the V6-T5's first gear is so low that, from what I've read in the past, the torque from a good V8 has the potential to damage the transmission if the proper care is not taken.

 

That's not to mention all the frount sepension (sp) work, transmission mounts and radiator work that has to be done. If you use the search function their is a post, I looked at before I decided just to keep mine a v6

 

Have you seen the v6 to v8 swap sticky? It covers most everything you will need.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...swap-read.html

Also from someone that has done the swap. DON'T DO IT!!! you will spend a lot more swapping in the 350, then if you would just buy a v8 car in the first place.

 

ive read the sticky. does anybody know if theres a website or anything about this subject i just want a better source of info

 

my car was 2.8 v6 and now carbed 350

let me know what you want to know!!? i also used the v6 t5 with 14 splines dont be afraid because everyone says thats not tough as the v8 t5 because i treat it as the car is stolen!

 

i put a LT1 in my car, originally a 2.8. it's not too much extra if you are wanting a project. i didn't have to change much with the suspension...just struts and springs, which i was going to do anyway. the crossmember already has the holes for the V8 mounts. just move the brake line back a little (it's a hard line, don't kink it, but bend it a little).

use a v8 trans. i believe the 4.3L blocks also have a 90* pattern, if you are wanting to pick one somewhere. you can find one for cheap.

i would upgrade the radiator too.

your tack is going to read differently, unless you get V8 gauges. the oil pressure will still work, but the numbers on the gauges are different, at least on mine they were.

trans mount was the same one on mine.
oh, and exhaust system...good time to upgrade.

 

It is easier and cheaper to just buy a v8 car to start with, but if you really want to swap, I would suggest pulling the 2.8 and getting the 350 ready to go in, once you have the parts in front of you its easier to see what things have to be changed around, but offhand:
springs/shocks, trans really should be swapped to something beefier or rebuilt stronger...a stock t5 can barely handle a non built 350...radiator should be swapped to bigger one with dual fans, wiring harness and ecm will need swapped, you will need diff engine mounts, you will need all the accessories on the 350, basically the whole thing front to back top to bottom. I imagine fuel lines will have to be swapped out as well, and I don't recall offhand if a v6 pump can keep up with fueling a 350, for all I know they both have the same pumps, can't remember..
and if by some chance you have a v6 cluster in it still, if it has a tach and non idiot lights for batt, oil and charge I have a v8 one I would love to swap since the tard on ebay that sold it to me listed it incorrectly as a v6 one and the tach is horribly inaccurate...but it would have to be a mechanical speedo car...I don't remember if the switchover to vss was in 87 or 89...but pm me if you're interested in trading clusters...
Also a note on the oil pressure, the #s are different between v6 and v8, v8 ones are 30/60, while v6 ones are 40/80, that+ redline is how you can tell a v6 cluster from a v8 one, v6 ones redline 6k, v8s redline lower.

 

I kept the v6 fuel pump in mine, just add a pressure regulator with a return. You will need to do something about turning the fuel pump on though since the ecu won't. I have a v8 cluster laying around if you are interested in it also. For the radiator just grab one for a v8 car. What 350 are you going to be putting into it?

 

I looked up before and the radiator on a 91 model was the same for v6 as v8??

Maybe other years it is different???

 

Yeah, starting in 90 the radiator changed. I pulled the Rad from my 90 and put it in my 89 and I had to swap the hoses, too.

 

I did the swap 2 years ago and still have the V6 T5 in there. And yes its still alive.

Its a lot of work, but worth it. I think most of the major points have been addressed above.

The clutch disc you need is from an 82 GMC S15 V6. Any parts store should have them in stock or be able to order them. Along with the clutch disc you will also need a V8 bellhousing, clutch fork, pressure plate, and flywheel. The throwout bearing is the same between the V6 and V8. First gear is pretty short, and starting on steep hills in the rain usually requires me to start in 2nd gear to keep from spinning. It will depend on your rear axle gears somewhat though. I've got 3.42's.

As long as your top radiator hose is on the driver's side you can use the radiator you have. Otherwise you'll have to swap it.

You'll need a vacuum advance distributor.

For wiring you only need power to the distributor and your tach wire. I just spliced connectors onto the ends of my wires to plug into the terminals on the HEI cap. You'll need the wiring for the alternator and sensors, coolant fan and fuel pump relay. The fuel pump relay is optional, as the carb bowls usually hold enough fuel to start the engine and run until the fuel pump can turn on. I ran mine like that for a summer, then wired the relay off the ignition last winter.

Speaking of the fuel pump, the V6 pump has worked fine for me. You MUST use a return-style regulator. The Mallory 4309 is what I use and seems to be the popular choice on here. I am also using the stock fuel lines and rubber hoses, which I adapted to fit the 3/8" NPT ports on the regulator.

The gauge cluster is the same, except for the tach. All the other gauges are interchangeable. I'm not sure about the idiot light dashes though. The Check Engine Light will be on constantly since nothing is controlled by the ECM anymore. I just yanked the bulb.

If there is anything else you need, just PM me.

 

The throwout bearing shouldn't be the same between V6 & V8's, the input shaft is a different diameter. That's why the V6 T5 is weaker

 

While it's true the input shafts are a different diameter, the throwout bearing does not ride on the input shaft. It rides on the front bearing retainer which is the same diameter for both V6 & V8 transmissions.

 

I stand corrected, never thought to differentiate between the two.

Could have sworn I remember the T/O bearing being as a 1.125" for the V8, and 1.00" for the V6, but if you made it work I'll take your word for it

I must be confusing the bearing with the disc I guess, that would explain where that thought came from. My bad

 

i was wanting to do the same thing as you until i researched it. the t5 v6 tranny that you have(so do i) will not work for a v8 unless you have a lot of time and knowledge. your v6 tranny will get destroyed from a 350 and wont hold up for sh*t. your best bet is getting a v8 t5