hhmmm first a crash course in digital camera, now I guess I learn about image hosting, posting now. I'll work on posting the pics right away

Anyhow I've given up on finding a parts car with a V6 AND 5spd. So I'm going with this idea and looking for input on possible problems from all you firebird gurus.

Two red 87's 2.8L auto. very cheap, $375 for the good one, $500 for the lesser one.. go fiquire.. it's government run. Now I cannot just swap over the drive train without major PITA's. Thats what I asked for when i bought a bird with no engine but I want to avoid as many as possible. And I really hate electrical guess work.

I can grab either of these firebirds and sell the wheels, t-tops and other glass and wipermotor, headlight motors, AC compressor, tranny and easily recover the cash and more.

I get most of what I need (this is what I'm looking for input on): windshield, motor, drivers door, power door locks, 6x9 covers, hatch struts. That alone from the wrecker is worth $800, pick a part(if they had one) $400. My hood has slight hail damage and the hood on one of em's good I will still need: intake & carb (planning on edelbrock), upper console, 5spd tranny, clutch assembly

Questions:

anyone ever try the intake swap onto an mpfi engine? are the heads different?. I've been told I can by people on here and by wreckers.
But one said I can't. Second gen V6's are supposed to have better oiling, any other benefits?

The AC, can I just xnay it and buy a diferent belt or do i need some sort of dummy pully?

could I use the driveshaft on a manual?

Is the flyweel the same from auto to manual?

I like that console, can I use it? will my guages fit into that dash if swap it? or better yet can i keep that cluster? (ignoring mech/elec spedo issues)

Does charcoal match blue?, those door panels are different. think theyed look goofy in my 83 blue interior? (i want to upgrade to power locks)

No experience on working on manual trannys so forgive me if these questions contradict themselves.

will a newer t5 take to mechanical clutch?
will a older t5 take to a hydraulic clutch?

Can use the rad from an auto just by plugging the tranny fluid lines?

anything I forgot?

Thanks everybody!

if get to take the camrea home i'll take some of my car too.



[This message has been edited by Blade3001 (edited June 27, 2001).]

 

Where's the post man?

 

Ok the pics are up in photopoint.com under cstril@hotmail.com, firebirds album. Now i'll use my extraordinary powers of deduction to get some of them to show up in this topic or send people staright there.


http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewP...p=51014914&f=0

exxxcelllent



[This message has been edited by Blade3001 (edited June 27, 2001).]

 

Wow...those are v6's? That red one has a 140mph speedo..

------------------
1989 Firebird
2.8 v6, t5 swapped in

Ram Hi-po clutch, Cold Air, 1.6 rockers,Lakewood LCA's, Lakewood Lift bars, Wonder Bar, 3" y-pipe, Random Tech Cat, 3" I-pipe, Flowmasters, MSd 6a, MSD Coil, Accel 8.8 wires, Auto Meter Gauges (Water, Clock, Fuel Pressure, and 5" Sport Comp Tach)TB Bypass, 4th Gen Seats

Coming for my v6:
Panhard Bar, 4thgen front seats, Nitrous, Line Lock, Posi, Spohn Torque Arm & Subframe connnectors

"I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT have run at all"

 

uhhhhh Graeme, THAT IS KPH not MPH

look closely


BIG difference

 

remember Mr. Blade is from CANADA

 

oooh hehe..i was going to say..where do i get that speedo..thanks for the clarification.

------------------
1989 Firebird
2.8 v6, t5 swapped in

Ram Hi-po clutch, Cold Air, 1.6 rockers,Lakewood LCA's, Lakewood Lift bars, Wonder Bar, 3" y-pipe, Random Tech Cat, 3" I-pipe, Flowmasters, MSd 6a, MSD Coil, Accel 8.8 wires, Auto Meter Gauges (Water, Clock, Fuel Pressure, and 5" Sport Comp Tach)TB Bypass, 4th Gen Seats

Coming for my v6:
Panhard Bar, 4thgen front seats, Nitrous, Line Lock, Posi, Spohn Torque Arm & Subframe connnectors

"I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT have run at all"

 

no prob

i actually thought it was a bit funny someone like me caught that......

 

Here's my car, a lot of work, hey? to say the least.

<a href=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1740867&a=13399296>See my photos of 1983 Firebird at PhotoPoint</a>

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...296&p=51034208


If that 87 that has it's bumper in the backseat is there tuesday and if I can confirm two details, I'm buying it.


1) The bolt pattern on the flyweel to crank is the same, or not a problem between different transmissions. Years ago I had a dodge 2.2L delivered and right away I noticed my flywheel wouldn't bolt up and the reason was that it was from a standard and i needed an engine from an auto. I don't have the option of just sending it back this time and I don't want to end up with an auto in there, with that cluth pedal to tease me

2) The intake and carb will bolt on and run deadly.

I had that car running and it shifted stiffly between gears, breaks were stiff, still quiet. The blue smoke seemed to go away right away and the oil was at the full mark. Engine should be savable I wonder if the battery would make it through a compression test. I was almost thinking of bolting my front clip onto that car but you can see the frame that joins the bumper is ripped appart and twisted.

Then the worst that could happen is getting a motor, door(sad, but fixable), extra hood, steering column, windshield and numerous little things in exchange for the time(fun) to strip a newer firebird (you always find new tools too ). Even if I give out wicked deals I'll break even and if more, it goes to the beer needed to cohearse help. If all the other things dont work out for me, oh well my fingernails will be black for a couple days.

I really wish I could get a 3.4 or more for under $2000 here.

------------------
'83 Blue V6 5spd Firebird
When I get an engine I'll think about modifying it

[This message has been edited by Blade3001 (edited June 27, 2001).]

 

I talked to someone whose done this before and there are no problems with the flyweel dealie i was woried about. He told me thats a crysler trick and reminded me how awesome GM's are. Buy he's rebuilding a mustang...whaa te nay. I'm going all the way with fuel injection coversion. I got the '87 for $300 and there is easily $400 worth of parts there, minus the motor/tranny.

Let the fun begin!

------------------
'83 Blue V6 5spd Firebird
When I get an engine I'll think about modifying it

 

Good thing you're working with '87 motors. '87 2.8's were internally balanced... 82-86's weren't, and the flywheel (or flexplate) got balance weights; so basically unless you wanted to re-balance your engine, the flywheel (or flexplate) on an 82-86 had to stay with the engine. 87-up's are all interchangeable.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!