86z28RKT

Ok, so im thinking about buying a 350 HO Crate motor and im not sure how my car will handle it. I have a stock 86 z28 witha 305 TBI. Im not sure if my auto trans or rear end will handle the 330 hp and 380lb/ft of torque. Does anybody know if it will and if not... what sugestions do you have for a new trans and rear end.

Revolutionary

It will handle it just fine. I'd suggest a 2000 stall converter and a 3.55 gear for a strong street setup.

86z28RKT

Thanks, on that note is there any compatability issues i sould look out for (first time im doing this)?

87DJP2001

You will need a lot of money for all the small and major things when swapping a engine.

86z28RKT

do you have an example of the small things?

87DJP2001

You want example of small items: Belts, plugs,wires, filters,oil, coolant, hoses, fasteners,and etc and etc......

Ray86IROC

Other than the engine swap itself the main issues you'll have will be related to going from computer controlled TBI to a carb setup (assuming you've not getting the Vortec TBI intake)...

Without the computer you'll have to address things like wiring up the fuel pump relay to run with the key on, getting a different non-CC distributor, wiring up the fans to run without any computer input (not sure if that's actually required, I had mine wired up for manual operation already), getting a vacuum controlled lockup or similar kit to handle the torque converter lockup, getting a AFPR to drop the fuel pressure of the TBI pump for the carb (or installing a mechanical pump for a carb), etc. It's nothing major, but it'll nickel and dime ya...

Obviously all that is moot if you go with the Vortec TBI setup, but then you've got serious prom tuning to do to get it to run worth a crap...

The 700r4 can certainly stand up to that engine, but yours may be tired and close to worn out already. Dropping in a good engine may mean it's death, or it could last years... A good performance rebuild wouldn't hurt a thing...

The rearend should be fine, but if it's a open peg-legger you'll want a posi of some kind pretty quick if you enjoy any traction at all, lol...

86z28RKT

Thanks for the imput! This is the first time im doing this so I think i may be in over my head! Im really not taking in to consideration all the other things i would have to do if i sawp the engine! As for a performance rebuild on the trans, do you know how much that would run? Because i was told that a performance rebuild can cost almost as much if not more than a new trans itself!

87DJP2001

Not so simple as dropping a new enging in a car with the other parts being over twenty years old,but it can be done. Just remenber the engine is not the only major expense. When I did mine 3yre ago, I planned on 4K and I went well over that. But I didn't cut any corners,

Ray86IROC

By "performance rebuild" I more or less meant buying a good performance rebuilt tranny from someone like 700r4.com, Pro-Built etc. That can run anywhere from $1000-$1500... I recently took a chance and got one for a bit cheaper from www.maddogtransmissions.com, got their "MD High Performance" model with a 2200-2400 rpm stall shipped for $1000 on a special, haven't installed it in the car yet (this weekend I hope) but I'm hoping it will be pretty stout... I'm running a Vortec 350 not much hotter than the HO (XE262 cam, Performer RPM, more compression theoretically, etc) and it fragged my stock rebuilt tranny in about 1 year (but I'm fairly convinced it was a dud to start with...), I've been limping around on it for about 2 now but I have had to baby it, no more racing during that time, etc. Can't wait to actually "drive" my car again...

86z28RKT

Thanks alot for the information 87, Ray, and Rev! It has been a big help. But i still have many questions on what i would have to do if i drop that 350 in. Would any of u be able to inform me of some book so i can read or something that will help me identify what needs to be done and how to do it? Also, my car is an 86z28, it has only z28 emblems on it, and it says it is a z28 in carfax, but it came from the factory with an IROC hood and style package, does that make it an IROC? this has been bothering me for a while and no one seems to know one way or the other!

87DJP2001

Can't give you and DIY info here. You just need to do your own research and it may not be good idea if this is your first major mechanical project.

Yes, 1986 Camaro Z28's were offered as a stand alone model with the option to upgade to IROC-Z28 with RPO B4Z for the package. Unless you have that code you have only the Z28.

86z28RKT

Where do i look for the code?

87DJP2001

Unless they been removed, look under the console lid for all your RPO's that came with that car. Note: small sticker with three letter codes.

Z28James

Wouldnt it have come with a 145mph speedo as well if it were an IROC-Z?