b1u3m3th

Hi everyone, this is my frist post, and my first experience with camaro's. A friend has a 1985 or 1986 Z28 camaro that has a blown engine. He's possibly seeling it to me. I'm trying to find out what all I can swap into it without too much of a hassle, and without getting really expensive. I'm not going to be racing it, although everyone likes lots of power. I'd like to find a good complete 350 that I can get for fairly cheap that will work with this car. By fairly cheap I mean say around $1500 for everything, if possible. I don't know where to look for reputable businesses that sell engines, and I really don't know how to tell if it's complete or not. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Alan

Rice Killer87

Swaping motors isnt a big deal....after u have done it a couple times lol. Any small block will fit into a 3rd gen.

A 350 is a good way to go,but I dont think your going to find something w/ a lot of power for $1500 (a crate engine that is).

A good street setup (if u like carbed motors) is a set a Vortec heads (can be bought new for less than $600) and a Edelbrock Performer RPM intake (you need a special intake for Vortec heads b/c of the bolt pattern. Watch ebay for stuff like this,i picked up my intake off ebay for $133 or so and it was never run). Then find a nice Comp Cam's cam,and your set to go with about 350-400 HP depending on cam/intake.

hope that helps

b1u3m3th

If I get up into the 350-400 HP range, will I need to do anything to the transmission? Assuming it's still in decent shape, that is. I believe it's the auto tranny, but I'm not positive. I've read in the forums about the manual tranny having problems with that much HP, but some people have run them just fine, too. I would much prefer a manual, but I don't really want to put loads of money into this car right away.

Thanks
Alan

Edit: How do I know which 350 Vortec heads to look for? I saw on one auction that it was for years 1996-2002, and then others have casting numbers.

Edit: Nevermind, I figured it out. What would be a good carb to go with this setup? Money isn't the biggest issue, because I'm not going to be able to get everything at once, but it would be nice to get the parts somewhat quickly. Thanks again.

Marc 85Z28

Get an engine similar to the one you have in your truck. There is a ton of potential in those Vortec 350s. And they can be had cheap too. With that engine you're a few hundred dollars more away from over 400HP. That Vortec headed 350 with a cam like the Comp XE268 or XE274 with a Performer RPM and 750CFM carb with decent exhaust is a proven performer. Better yet, the cam, intake, carb, and exhaust can be had fairly cheap if you look around.

If the auto trans (TH700-R4) is in decent shape with low miles, it may last a little while behind that engine. But the 700 was never designed with that much power in mind, and neither was your rear end. They may last if not abused or driven hard, but what's the point of a strong motor if you can't enjoy it?

b1u3m3th

Ok, the car is an 86 Z28 Camaro with a 305 in it, not sure if carbureted, but I don't think so. I'm planning to put a carbed 350 in it. What all do I need to change to put the 350 in it? Computer, wiring, etc.? This is my first engine swap, and I want to get it right, so any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

ME Leigh

Find a junkyard Vortec Truck engine and swap the intake and cam. Be careful though vortecs can only take .470" lift before you have clearance and interferance problems. You have to have the have the guide boss machined for clearance.

Marc 85Z28

Carb or EFI, it should be computer controlled (unless tampered with or a rare Canadian carb car). That means the distributor needs to swapped out in favor of a mechanical/vacuum advance piece. The stock one's advance is ECM controlled. Also, if an auto trans, the 700r4s torque converter lockup is controlled by the ECM. You will need a standalone system to operate it. All other electrical systems are separate from the engine controls.

For more info, do a search on this topic. It comes up too often, so you'll find everything you need with a search

kandied91z

after dealing with several hassles on motor swaps i'd recommend saving slightly more and going with an ls1. they are becoming more abundant for reasonable prices and if you have the time the gas money you save alone will be worth it down the road.

97WS6SCharged

An LS1 swap is still a big hassle. If you're looking for an EFI setup, an LT1 is the simpler way to go. It will bolt right up to the existing tranny with very little modification, and you can keep the AC if you use the Corvette accessory brackets. Plus LT1's are cheaper than LS1's. Of course, a good ole Gen 1 350 is hard to beat for a budget swap.

kandied91z

valid points but around here a complete swap having someone else do the work with tranny as well can be had for 3-4,000 not exactly cheap in its own right but when you start comparing things doing up a standard sbc right you'll easily exceed that.

at least there are plenty of options.

b1u3m3th

Well, not going EFI, and I'm going to be doing it myself, with the help of my dad & some friends, so that'll cut down on the install cost, except for the supplied beer of course, after we finish. Anyway, thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. I'll let everyone know how it goes!

Alan