Anyone here ever done a V6 To V8 Swap? I'm removing the 3.1L form a '90 firebird, and installing a 350 TPI from a '91 Z28. Was wondering if anybody knew things to look out for. Also, if anyone knows the proper hose routing for the oil cooler, I would appreciate any info. Thanks

 

any direct questions..I would be happy to help........you will find pages of info with the search feature......

 

well if you get the complete engine, harness with computer and all other tpi stuff from the 91 z28.. then it should be a bolt in job..

 

Just replied to your PM. Sorry, I was thinking you were going Carb....... .....I'm going to have to leave this one to the TPI Pro's..Sorry.

 

The Z28 engine came with everything, computer, harness, all accessories. The only thing it didn't come with was a charcoal canister, which I have an extra one here, so I'm not too worried about it. I just wasn't sure if the dash harness would work with it.

 

did you get the V8 transmission too?

 

Yes, I got the V8 trans too. It's out of a '92 Z28, the trans behind the 350 was junk, so I picked up another one.

 

is it true your front springs need to be updated for v8

 

its usually preferred... i mean just think, that V6 didnt weight as much as that V8... once you add a lot more weight to the springs that were designed for that small lil V6, its naturally going to go way down, and handle a little less than what youd expect...

usually you have to drop the springs and some more of the front suspension settup anyway to get at the motormounts, so why not throw in some used front springs from a V8 car if anything... ive heard of people using them successfully and getting them for like $20 at a junkyard.

 

Whereas a lot of the V6 parts will work with the V8, like the radiator, VATS, cruise control, etc., depending on your application, the coil springs are one that I'm not too clear on... given the fact that they were installed for a V6... I'll have to check the part numbers and see if they are the same or not. I'll let you know.

 

Whereas a lot of the V6 parts will work with the V8, like the radiator, VATS, cruise control, etc., depending on your application, the coil springs are one that I'm not too clear on... given the fact that they were installed for a V6... I'll have to check the part numbers and see if they are the same or not. I'll let you know.

 

The V-6 radiator will NOT work with the v-8...the outlets are reversed...I left my v-6 Springs in...it lowered the front of the car about an inch...I posted a pic some where but I cant find it...here it is again...with the 327 in...with stock wheels and tires..

 

That's what I thought too riley's, but I've checked on the part numbers to see what the deal is, and the existing radiator is the same part number for the v8. I'd better double check though, better safe than sorry

 

BTW that camaro looks pretty sharp

 

Trust me on this one..I still have the v-6 radiator and the inlet and outlet are reversed..strange they would have the same part #..thanks for the copliment on the car..ive put ALOT of time in it and I'm in the process of rebuilding the 327 for this summer

 

I'm not saying I don't believe you there.... maybe the trans am and the camaro used a different radiator? (the battery and canister are on opposite sides, so who knows what else was switched?) Sounds like me.... I'm forever working on mine... the project is never completed... I'll have to post some pics. Where did you get a 327 for that car riley's?

 

thats cool... never knew the V6 springs only drop it that much... sweet

ive heard of people cutting out V6 motor mounts and welding in new ones as opposed to dissasembling a lot to get to the bolts. is that an ok thing to do if you know how to weld and cut and will do everything yourself? or is it better to undo them the right way..? dam i dont even know if its possible to cut em out, i should stop talkin, i read to much lol any input?

 

The V6 motor mounts should just unbolt once the engine is removed... They are easily exposed once the block is out of the way, as far as I know, just bolt in new V8 mounts. Hope that helps... I will let you know once I get that far.

 

got my radiator out of a v-8 t/a....notice wich side the top hose is on....

 

drivers side......and the motor mounts are a bitch!!!! go through the springs with alot of extensions and swivels..you have to go inside the x-member to get to the nuts....no access holes.....
Put the v-8 mounts in the most forward set of holes on the x member...

 

when you reassemble the mounts put the nuts up top for easier access next time,,,

 

got it from a friend that ran it in a monza.......ran 13's consistantly with his set-up.

here is a pic of the v-6 radiator see the top hose pass side

 

please dont do any welding and cutting..leave that to the chop-shops

 

Thanks for the pic Riley's that was a help, but I have some news for you here... my existing V6 radiator top hose is on the Driver's side already (different radiator installed before I bought the car??) I have no idea but my radiator setup in my v6 is the exact same as that in your v8.. I'm not even joking. I guess camaro and firebird did use a different one after all.... I'll have to get some pics on here in the next couple days to show you.

 

I honestly have never looked under the hood of a v-6 bird.....Guess what I'm going to do on my next expedition to the wrecking yard???? This has been a fun thread. There have been others who swapped engines in firebirds, seems someone else would jump in here.....Quick_Trans_Am, Thanks for being patient with me on this one, I can be pretty stubborm sometimes especially when I THINK I know something.....I hope it does work out for ya ...save ya some $$$ and thats always a good thing..

 

No problem Riley's... I've only been under a V6 camaro once, and I didn't think to remember the radiator inlet/outlet location. I didn't think you were bulls**tting me either, I know things like that can vary greatly from year to year. I agree, enjoyable thread. I'm kind of surprised myself that not too many others have joined in. I'm stubborn too myself, especially when I think I know something. But hey, I'm not complaining about saving $$

 

i was going to say im going outside to look at my bros V6 firebird's radiator to see how its settup.. then i remembered my dad is out of town with it for a few days, ill look if i remember just for the hell of it hehe

nice find n good luck to ya!

 

Why didn't I think of that earlier? I have MY Bro's V6 camaro sitting right here too... let me check on this....

 

Riley's looks like we were both right on this one... I completely forgot I have an '84 Berlinetta sitting here . I put a new engine in it for my bro last year, but the new motor is ready to spit a rod... . Anyways... the radiator top hose is on the passenger side... I have no idea why GM would make different parts like that for two very similar vehicles.

 

look at this
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...91#post1105791

 

Am I the only one??? Somebody here has to have a radiator hose on the driver's side top... I'm not crazy!!!

 

this is kinda like the 87-88 fuel pump issue I ran into awhile back.....
And the :" Will my fuel pump work after the swap", question.....

 

Fuel pump issue? What all happened there?

 

let me get back to ya on that ill do some searches>>>LOL

 

let me clarify for the confusion:

82-89 V6's DEFINETLY used a DIFFERENT radiator than the V8
90-92 V6's I BELIEVE they used the same radiator as the V8's........thats why the part numbers prolly match.........................

 

sure is fun finding out all the little year to year changes...just when you think you have it figured out.. it changes
89 axles splines
87 maybe a electric fuel pump maybe mechanical...maybe both...some fuel pumps run after a carb swap some dont on and on.....

Looks like ya saved some money Quick_Trans_Am...although I paid only 15.00 for mine at a wrecking yard.......Bottom line 82-92 camaros and birds are not all the same ...heck 89 was a could be this or could be that kinda year for sure.
Let me know if I can help confuse you guys anymore..

 

Well that definitely would explain the confusion... thanks for the post 1991Teal....... Kind of clears it up a little bit.

 

Yeah I'll agree with you there Riley's.... I do know the fuel pump on mine won't work, but I intend to remedy that soon. Still, $15 isn't much to ask for a radiator at all... I'd pay it if I had to.... Ok you want to confuse me more? Here's a question... The Oil cooler on the 350 I have.... I'm not sure of the heater hose routing for it... and there's no provision for a heater hose return on the water pump... I have no idea where to route the hose... any ideas?

 

(.... I'm not sure of the heater hose routing for it... and there's no provision for a heater hose return on the water pump... I have no idea where to route the hose... any ideas?)

The return goes into the radiator on the top right side (special fitting)it's only on V-8's. (and some aftermarkets)
Check this thread for my swap: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=151164

 

is this the heater hose you are talking about?

 

I just did one to my 92 camaro. The purge canister line has to be changed to the other side, the fuel pump in tank has to be changed, front suspension has o be changed, and the cruise servo has to come from a TPI car since you need the bracket and cable.

 

(is this the heater hose you are talking about?)

Yes, that hose goes to the radiator on '88 and up V-8's

 

Riley's that's exactly what I'm talking about... there's a plug there on my water pump instead......

 

Thanks for the input.
What all did you have to do to the front suspension?

 

Simply remove the plug and put a male type, threaded, hose fitting
Napa has them just tell them what you are doing and they will know what you need..

 

Ok and I just patch the oil cooler into that?

 

No not the oil cooler...that would go to your heater core on the firewall.....I'm not sure about your oil cooler..Ive never used one.

 

i looked up the part numbers and my belief was correct

90-92, v6 and v8 use the same radiator

 

Is that just the Firebird ? Or does that also include the Camaro?

 

I don't know if the Camaro did that the same way or not. BTW I took the V6 out last night. Wasn't TOO much of a pain... Did anyone have to reroute the brake line on their swap to make room for the new motor mounts?