My uncle wants to swap a 350 in my Camaro. My 2.8 froze up on me, But there alot of things I must deal with here. Changing motor mounts and all that other good stuff and I honestly have no money on me, I have about 55 bucks on me. But I did find a parts Camaro for 125 bucks. Same year as mine, Same engine and the engine is in good shape. The only reason he's selling it this low is cuz the tranny is shot. Get back to me on what I should do.

 

Sounds like that parts car is the answer.
Is the parts car in better shape than yours?
Its a heck of a lot easyer to swap trannys than engines. A v8 conversion isnt too expensive considering what your getting but with $55 bucks to my name I would just shoot for a quick fix a $125 quick fix
SSC

 

If you want to mickey mouse the job, slip in the V-8
IF you want a good reliable car & that other V-6 is good (only you know that answer) slip in the V-6 easy.
There really isn't a complicated answer.
IT's how correct a job you wanna do.
AND
How right you want the job to turn out.
PS I doubt you can easily make the V-8 pass PA smog test, too.
The VIN gives away you had a V-6 in there.
Honest.
IN CA, you do a V-8 swap, you pay $300 to the state for them to approve before you get smog test.
That's also why I did a V-6 swap, no one knows!
Good luck with your efforts.
I vote for a great running solid V-6 swap and sell the V-8 for several hundred, too!

 

Well the 350 is my uncle's and the parts car is my good friends, The body is in rough shape but the engine runs smoothly. He runs thick oil in it. It's not really really thick but it's thicker then normal oil. And the parts car is EXACTLY the same as mine. It's an 85, I have to get a couple of more parts for it, aka, Heater Core, Shocks. Well reply back

 

IF you had a 84 & lower V-6 DO THE V-8 SWAP.
You have an 85 & above V-6.
That has stuff you'll end up throwing out, working around to get a V-8 in there.
HONEST
You know what ya got.
IF ya wanna give your car life again, throw in the V-6.
It's such a way easier project.
The only thing I'd add is a new timing chain and water pump. That's $50-ish for both.
Then mix & match the best of the remaining parts you have from the V-6 car.
AND you can make a V-6 run well for awhile.
ESPECIALLY WITH A STRONG REBUILT IGNITION SYSTEM.
BUT in your area, how much hilly driving ya do?
MEANING - torque rules.
SHAME YA CAN'T MAKE THE V-8 car road worthy and dump your V-6 bummer car.

ANYONE ELSE CARE TO ADD THEIR $.02?

 

Well, I live in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, It's not EXTREME hills around here but some are pretty steep but it's not like I have to drive up them. I just want it back on the road again. His Camaro matches mine in everyway except for the body his is in rough shape.

 

buy the parts car, dothe 2.8-2.8 swap, TomP has pics on this, drive away in 1 afternoon.

 

K thanks Karl, My name is Rob by the way

 

Rob,
Hey glad to throw some common sense on your mission.
There is no reason why ya can't take all your left over "Parts" and sell them on ebay and basically have a free fixed car.
But again, if your V-6 is in good shape and you do slip in a new chain and work on the ignition, your ride will do well.
AND IF IT FAILS AGAIN, all the fixed/new V-6 stuff swaps right over to the next V-6 you install.
Timing chains wear out after 50,000 miles. Ignitions go for many many miles!
Look at your pile of choices and do the easiest swap, most secure choice of parts.
OH PLEASE PLEASE NEW HEATER CORE!!!!
I once cheated on a used heater core. Actually, my old one, I got repaired.
It broke while racing, lost the engine.
Common sense works very well when repairing a car, for the long run.
IF you don't have the bread, by all means, bypass the old core!
I've screwed up many times.
Wish I had this internet when I was still learning how to play/fix my own rides.
My 3.4 swap was my third engine swap and the FIRST that worked correct. And still does.
My fourth swap is still a work in progress (my motorcycle).
PLAN PLAN PLAN.
And ask.
About 6 cylinders.
My Wife's 1968 Camaro still has her old 6 in it.
I will install a V-8. I'm driving the 6 until I kill it.
BUT, by "fixing" it, I keep giving it life. Drat!
Pull out your old engine, now, strip off all the good stuff (ignition/distributor, injectors or the whole intake set up, exhaust manifolds).
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOUR OLD ENGINE AGAIN?
Rod knock, right?
Or it boiled over/head gasket/water in cylinder?

 

I looked into putting a 350TPI into my 90RS 3.1litre they are really a lot alike but there are a few pricey problems. First I know 6's have the same auto but the bell houseing is different. Also the torque converter is different, and there are half as many clutches in the 6's tranny so it won't last. The rear will be fine as long as you like to do one-leggers and the driveshaft is the same. There is already holes dirlled in your crossmember for the motor mounts and they be the same as the 6's. The radiator is similar but if your lookin at a tpi some have things like power sterring coolers so you may not be able to use it. The fuel pump is different and obviusly so is the computer and wireing harness. Basically its not worth if you plan to switch to a tpi but I am sure a carb would be pretty easy....but it think you'll need a new gas tank becasue i don' t think carbs have a pump in the tank. Personally I HATE CARBS!!!! i wouldn't trade my tpi for anything.

 

It was the coolant boil and then the bang. Head Gasket etc