Im sure this has been posted before and i tried the search but couldn't find much. I'm thinking about swapping my 2.8 v6 from my 86 rs to a 350. I've got a 5spd manual, i would need to upgrade to the 6spd huh? Is it worth all the effort and how about smogging? I live in California and the rules are strict. Any ideas? Thanks

 

worth the effort from a 2.8 to 5.7?!! O YEA, your tranny would last for a while with no 5k dumps and if you didnt drive it hard but the 6sp would be sweeeet! and as far as smogging im sure youd pass w/ an exhaust system just like any other 350 car. good luck.

 

the tranny will not bolt upto the 350, the bellhousing is different. That will need to be changed, and I dont think it will last very long

 

It's a complete waste of time and money. For what you can get a V8 thirdgen for, there's no reason to start with a 2.8 car. I had a 2.8 firebird that I'd had since I was 17. I built a nice 355 and had it sitting on a stand while I saved money for the other 2,000 parts I was going to need for the swap. I finally came to my senses, and even though I loved that car, I bought my IROC and sold the firebird. Swapping from a 305 to 350 is a weekend project and requires minimal finantial investment. Swapping a 2.8 for a 350 will take forever (mainly due to needing a million little parts) and will cost a fortune.

Plus, now instead of a no-option plain firebird with a 350, I have an IROC with a 350. Even without considering the drivetrain, I wound up with a nicer car, and I paid less for the IROC than it would have cost me for a transmission and other necessary parts. Take into account the money I got from selling the firebird, and I wind up WAY ahead finantially and I have a better car.

But anyway, if you're dead set on it, here's what you'll need:

1. Engine and all accessories (alternator and a/c compressor *might* swap over with new brackets)
2. Transmission & all related accessories (bellhousing, clutch, FLYWHEEL)
3. Starter
4. Radiator & radiator hoses
5. Motor mounts
6. Whatever induction you choose (and don't forget the necessary fuel delivery changes)
7. Exhaust system (headers, y-pipe, high flow cat & new catback)

Plus the stuff that you really *should* do:
8. Posi differential - your 2.8 is an open diff, which is a waste of time with a good motor.
9. Coil springs - the 2.8 springs are WAY too soft for that extra weight.
10. Sway bar - same deal... not big enough for the extra weight.

That's just the highlights. There are a million little things that you'll be chasing after until you're blue in the face.

 

but werent all the irocs with the 350 automatic? I'm going to stick with manual. Or are you saying i should switch my rs to an iroc (manual) and then drop in a 350? Im wondering if the 305 iroc transmission is good enough for 350. Also ive heard ill need to change my rear end, does that mean i need posi? Sorry im new to this... But thanks for all the opinions!

 

A good thing if i stuck with my 2.8 body is that my insurance would be cheaper

 

trust me dude, i had an 87 that i wanted to swap a 350 into. i eventually just decided to drive it until i found one that was what i wanted. i found my 91 L98 350 trans am locally using www.autotrader.com and got it for $3012 out the door.

your best bet is to just buy a car that is already a v8. insurance atleast where im at is the same no matter what car you have. if you have liability on it, then its gonna be the same no matter if its a 4 cyl. civic or a 03 Zo6. look into that.

on another note tho, i really shouldnt tell you anything about motor swaps because im lookin into swapping an Ls1 into my cart this winter...

 

is it really that hard to swap the 2.8 to a v8? i think the only problems would be electrical ****. but yeah a new tranny would have to come in for a v8 swap unless the tranny came with your 350..
but yeah i am almost doing the same swap as you, except i am swapping the 2.8 with a small block 400.. i bought a turbo 350 tranny for my block.

hey,maybe we could keep in touch so that if we ever do run into problems we could help eachother out.

Danny