I have an 87 RS camaro with a 2.8L engine and a 5 speed manual transmission. I want to put a 5.7L tuned port engine in it. What would I have to do? New mounts, computer, harness, fuel pump????? Is the 5 speed manual trans the same one used on V-8 engines??? Or would I have to change the trans too???? I have asked numerous people how to do this, inc, shops, forums, and 3rd gen parts seller, but no one can help, or there info contradicts each other. Please help!!!!!! Thanks,
Joe3

 

anyone have any info at all???

 

youve got the idea, harness, computer, motor mounts. Not sure if the fuel pump is any different. Would need a donor tranny too.

If you were putting a carbed motor in it then the project is feasable. But if your putting in a stock fuel injected motor in the car its almost always cheaper to just sell you V6 and buy a car with what you already want in it.

 

why would it be so much cheaper to put a carberated motor in???? I actually wouldnt mind doing that. I used to have an 84 Z28 with a 5.0HO 5 speed. I loved it. Anyway your not the first one to tell me to put a carberated motor in it instead. Why is that???????

 

The pump pressure is the same, but the volume it can support may be less. I don't know for sure. Call a parts store and ask if it is the same part number.

 

good idea, but if I went to a carb motor I wouldnt even be using the electric fuel pump. I still dont see why it would be more feesable to put a carb moter in than a tuned port....

 

Actually, I just bought a car that has this exact swap on it. He went from the 2.8L FI engine to a 350 short block from Chevy and then an Edelbrock intake, Holley street avenger carb, and 202 heads (off a '69 I believe). I forget exactly what he did, but we now have an electric Mallory fuel pump on it, and we had to change the motor mounts. I'm not positive what has to be done on the computer, sorry. I can't help you much on the tranny either since it was swapped out for a Doug Nash 5 speed.

I'll try to call the guy that did the swap and get some more info from you in a few days, just let me know what you need to know.

 

I would really appreciate it if you called the guy and got back to me. I am determined to put a V-8 in this car. Yes it might cost the same to buy a different camaro with a V-8 in it already, but I have all fall and winter to do this, also I can make any mods while doing it. The car is in excellent shape, matter of fact the 2.8L only has just over 50,000 miles on it.
any other info would be appreciated...

 

bump

 

any more info??????????

 

I would also think about the following non-motor related:

1. Tranny / Driveshaft / Rear.

I'm sure your new 5.7 liter puts out more power than your old motor. I'd make sure your existing setup can handle the increased torque.

2. Brakes

Now that you have more power it would be nice to be to stop.

3. Tires

Did 6-cyl come with Z-rated tires? If not, upgrade to the type of tires used in the 350's. But of course keep the old ones on for some "test" burnouts in an emply parking lot.

4. Suspension / steering.

Same rational for brakes. I'm sure the suspension for an IROC w/ 350 is better than a stock RS with a 6 cyl.

 

Why carbed? Then you dont need to buy a wiring harness and new ECM, those are freaking expensive, not to mention a pain to wire up. Means you dont have to pay for injectors. Im sure you save money in a bunch of other areas. Just make sure your call will pass emissions stadards in the place where you live, and what the rules are on changing motors.

Your trans will not bolt up to a V8. I forget why but it wont.
As far as a new tranny i wouldnt reccomend putting the 5 speed from the 305 cars behind a 350 unless youre going to baby it because even the World Class T-5's from the umm i think 88+ cars? are only good to around 300 ft lbs.

If you want a manual either get a used t-56 6 speed from a 93-97 f-body (preferably 94-97 its got better internals) or if you cant find one of those at a wreckers due to them being a very popular trans, you might want to talk to Ray at www.5speedtransmissions.com and probably look at the TKO-600 5 speed, it costs 1800ish for the bare tranny then you have to buy a bunch of other stuff. Mine will be in my car in a couple days i just ordered it in.

If you want auto i would just build up one of the stock 700-R4 trannies for $1500-2000 they can hold 500 hp. a TH350 is cheaper and stronger but if its a daily driver you want the 4 speed overdrive that the 700 has the 350 is a 3 speed.

Your suspension is awful for everything except drag racing. The v6 springs are very soft. So be looking to upgrade that.

Youre going to want to buy a Wonderbar from a company like www.spohn.net all of the Irocs came with one its a brace for the front end that keeps your steering box from ripping out of its mounting holes.

I would think that your driveshaft would be fine. Rear end would be the same thing they put in the 350 cars however its a dog **** rear end, if you beat on it youll break it. Be ready to upgrade to a $2000 moser 12 bolt or ford 9" if youre going to really push the car hard.

hmm what else what else....i cant think of anything else right now if i do ill post it

 

Thanks doug. If anyone else has any info,, give it up!!!!! Thanks,
Joe3

 

If you go carbed you can actually keep the fuel pump and use a FPR instead of getting a manual pump. It will save a few HP. The tranny from the V6 is the same T5 as from the 305s but the bellhousing bolts are different so it wont bolt up. As said before, T65 is the way to go. You will need new front springs to support the weight of a bigger engine and probably some new fuel lines up front if you go carbed as I believe they have different routing. As with all third gens, I would advise sub frame connectors, some new suspension parts like rear lower control arms, and of course an upgraded rear end.

 

Sounds good. Ill definetely go carbed then. Can the T5 tranny handle a 350??? Also Im still not clear as to the computer thing. I wouldnt need a computer at all if I go carbed, even with my current tranny???? What is a T-65??? Did you mean 56??? Im not dead set on keeping my current tranny, but Im leaning that way now. If I ruin it then mabie a Ill swap to a different one.