I've got a 91 RS 3.1 liter V-6.. I was going to sell it and buy a new car, but I've been considering my options. Would it possible and/or worth it to do a V-8 TPI swap? The body and interior of my car are in excellent shape, just the engine isn't big enough. Also, I have oil leaks in 4 separate areas: intake manifold, valve covers, oil pan gasket, and my rear main bearing seal. Also, my compressor is probably around 5 hours from seizing..it's shaking pretty bad, and really sucks a lot of horsepower. So, how much would it cost to put in a used V-8 TPI 5.0 engine? Just a rough estimate.. Are there a lot of changes that would have to be made to make the engine work with the car? I'd figure yes.. Has anyone with a v-6 dropped a v-8 in? Or do you all just bump up to 3.4's or 3.8's? Would it even fit?? Thanks guys...
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91 3.1 V-6 auto
0-60 in 8.5 (that's using 1>2>Drive)
*K&N
*Hi-temp silicone 7mm's

 

Here we go again. To save everyone time...Yes it would. You would have more potential (sp) with a V8. Although there is alot to the swap most anyone on here would say sell your car and buy a V8 car. If you don't want to do that and actually go through with the swap look here...

Q: Does it pay to swap my 4 or 6 cylinder engine for an 8 cylinder?

A: First of all, you have to decide if you are going to keep the computer system. It's a bigger hassle if you do. Your best bet is to go to a junkyard or find someone who is parting out a V8 Camaro/Firebird, and pull as many parts as possible off the same car. You will need brackets (i.e. alternator, AC, smog pump, and power steering pump - save the bolts too), AC hoses, and Pulleys. You will also need new rubber motor mounts (about $20 at local parts store) and the engine side brackets that these mounts bolt to. Make sure you get the engine side motor mount brackets from a Camaro or Firebird as they are a little shallower and are needed to get the engine to sit low enough in the bay. The holes for the motor mounts are already in your crossmember. You will also need to get the engine fan and fan shroud (junkyard or new - your choice). You will need to buy a starter, water pump, and probably a power steering pump (get thses from a junkyard as they're almost always still good). You'll need a V8 HEI distributor. An ACCEL rebuilt HEI works great and costs less than $150.00. And of course plugs and wires. Assuming an automatic tranny, you will need a new tranny since the bellhousing bolt pattern is different on the V8 car from the 4 and 6 cylinders. A Turbo 350 will bolt right in with B&M's $75.00 conversion kit. It just lets you hook up the torque arm, but you'll lose overdrive. Take a polaroid camera to the junkyard, and you should be able to figure all this stuff out. Finally, you will probably have to change the front coil springs. I know this sounds like a ton of work (especially since it doesn't even include what you have to buy to assemble the engine), but this swap is really a piece of cake - everything drops in like it was supposed to be there. At the very least, assemble all the components you'll need (build the motor on an engine stand over a few months with all accessories and brackets), and have someone drop it in for you. A shop would charge you an arm and a leg if they had to scrounge all this stuff up themselves. For further info, send an e-mail to Chris (cblandin0@aol.com).

 

Thanks.. I don't know enough technical stuff to even begin to replace all of those components.. I'll just sell the car and find myself a v-8 TPI. Speaking of which...

http://hometown.aol.com/callmemrnixon
FOR SALE!

Thanks again..

 

Some guys play it down so much when they hear of a V6 f-body... "why don't you just put a v8 in?" No kidding... but they don't know the full picture. You gotta look at all the work, and then look at if it's the "daily driver" or not. And if you don't have a v8-donor-car in the backyard, you're going to be on one helluva parts hunt at the junkyards.

Yeah it might not be rocket science, but it's sure not a easy weekend job. It just sounds cool to say "why don't you just put a v8 in?" It makes it sound like the person has done Plenty of v8 swaps before, and they could do another one with one hand tied behind their back. (Yet, they don't install their own exhausts, do their own tuneups, know anything about changing a trans, or do their own brakes. Go figure.)

Whoops, am I btching? Sorry!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

to quote KED: "Put a 3.4 in it"

3.8 requires different trans.
use search for the swap, apparently best upgrade for better 6 power w/same trans (unless you get your grubby paws on a turbo ) just swap oil pan, water pump, starter. All induction from 3.1 goes on new motor (this is the short version).
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$150.00 2.8 Auto.
Blown Head Gasket.
turbo has arrived ,
this close / \ to getting parts to fix it.

[This message has been edited by Project: 85 2.8 bird (edited September 29, 2001).]