Hello everybody,

I have a 1988 Camaro that I just recently purchased. It is equipped with the 2.8 V6/700R4. I would like to put a 350 TPI in the car and I am not sure what I need to do this. I asked this same question in F-Body general forum and one member suggested that I ask here. Can I change the Bellhousing to accomidate the V8 or should I just buy a new 700R4. Will this affect my driveshaft length? And what about the current wiring? If I change the engine harness and computer, will this affect things such as Tach/Spedo? Any Help or suggestions where I can find a kit or something would be very very helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

You cannot change the bellhousing on GM automatic transmissions as they are a single integrated casting. You're better off buying a better transmission and swapping it in with the engine. I'm not sure how it will affect your driveshaft length, but it may be a good idea to swap in a larger unit to handle the increased torque of the TPI 350. The tach should not be affected, however it may be a challenge to get the speedo calibrated.

 

Quite the contrary on the tach and speedo. That stock tach is set up for 6 ignition pulses per rotation, whereas a 350 would produce 8, making the tach read 33% high. The speedo will work just fine if you take the calibration gears out of the stock tranny and put them into the new one.

You'll need nearly everything from a V8 car....engine wiring, dash wiring, ECM, gauge cluster, engine, tranny, driveshaft, radiator, front springs, etc. You'll end up spending more than if you just bought a 350 car (if you factor in the time you spend on the swap.)

 

too much work, to many thing to change, buy a camaro with a v8 to begin with

 

Guess I've gotten used to aftermarket tachs with the switch on the back. Doh!

I agree with Valo though.

 

Unless you're competent enough to do everything yourself, or you're filthy rich (probably both), I'd recommend just picking up a V8 camaro. There are quite a few L98's in decent shape still laying around...or just buy a 305-powered for cheap and build a 350 to your specs. Just my $0.02

 

I appreciate everybodys input on the situation. After carefully reviewing all of my options I think I will follow everybodys advice and just try to find a decent 88 IROC already setup. I found one for 2,200 that was in pretty good shape and even if I had to do some engine and tranny work I would come out ahead in the long run. I love my Camaro, but I don't want to be an idiot about things either. Thanks again everybody. -Chris

 

Good luck man. Send pictures. :-D

 

I have the same problem: 88 camaro 2.8l STARVING for an L98 motor. I cant even find an L98 really. if i could find one in a junk yard near by i'd take EVERYTHING out of that car and swap it into mine, but i cant, and it sucks. Finantially it would be smarter to replace the car instead of everything else, but i love this car. I love everything about it: the color scheme, the condition, the rims, the interior, the t-tops... its almost new! i've put 15k on the rebuilt motor sinse i bought it, i just put in a rebuilt tranny not even 1000 miles ago, ive put in a new computer, distributor, ignition control module, wires, coil, fuel pump, brakes, tinted the windows, replaced or redid EVERYTHING on the inside, including an ABS plastic backed headliner, custom work inside the car, and today i just put in a new radiator. its practically new, but I want to keep this car AND build up my L98.

anyone have any suggestions of how to get a donor car cheap? even if i could find a complete L98 that doesnt run for a decent price i'd be compeltely thrilled. I dont feel like selling my car and paying for a 5000 dollar Z28 that i cant afford and then end up replacing just about everything anyway (700R4 to T-56, rear drum to disc brakes, computer, standard drive shaft to aluminum, engine's rotating assembly, heads and stock TPI intake system and fuel rail, convert everything over to manual clutch [cause we all know the t-5 cant hold an L98, so they put a 700R4 with all of them]) so it seems like for such a major reconstructed engine and driveline it would make just as much sinse to keep the car i love instead of settling for some redneck's rusted out z28 just because it has the engine already in it.

what do you guys think????

 

You probably aren't going to find many/any TPI motors in junk yards. They usually go to strip shops before they are sent to the yards. You best bet would be to scour the local trader papers and the net.

 

I TRULY FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!! My 88 is beautiful. One owner, owned by a couple that bought it brand new and they were in their 50's. They obviousley enjoyed this car. The interior is in excellent condition. Other than needing a slap shifter upgrade of course. One of my friends at work said that he would help with the change if I wanted to try it. He is a redneck, of course, but a great mechanic. He built a 355 Malibu that he won't even drive becuase he says that it is just a ticket waiting to happen. I didn't think there was such a thing. Oh well, back to the Camaro. With a car that is in this good of condition it makes a great base to start with. I have not been completley talked out of doing the swap. But how much money is too much. I guess if I was rich I wouldn't have these things to worry about. OVERTIME HERE I COME!