Hey guys I know it's been a few months but well it's tax time and I think i'm ready to buy my replacement engine for the camaro. In case y'all don't remember, my step-dad signed the death certificate on my 305 about six months ago. Well since the 305 is dead i'm wanting to swap to a TBI 350. Can I use my factory computer? Will I need to add a 2nd cooling fan? Can I use the water pump and other belt driven accessories from my old engine? And last but not least will I need to do any reprogramming or rewiring? Essentially I need to know everything about this swap. As always your help and comments are appreciated.....thanks.

 

www.thirdgen.org

Tons of people have done the swap and you will find a lot more info on that board.

 

everything from your 305 will bolt up to that 350 fine.

 

If your going to be replacing the engine anyway, why not go TPI or LT1?

 

dont go lt1, plz.

 

I don't plan on going LT1 as much as I like that engine it's going to be way to much of a headache to drop in. I talked to a guy at work last night and he told me that I will have to have the computer programmed? Is this true or can I just find a computer that ran a TBI 350 and put it in my Camaro?

 

change the injectors,esc to a 5.7,knock sensor to 5.7 and a few hours labor it will pay off bigtime

 

You'll want 61lbs injectors (stock 305 TBI is 55lbs), and a chip for a 91-93 Caprice with 350 TBI.

 

How does the Caprice chip differ from a regular 350 TBI chip?

 

I did this swap with my old 91 RS and it was pretty straightforward, the intake manifold and TB bolt up no problem. You will need bigger injectors, a different ESC module, tuning and a knock sensor. However, don't throw a Lo5 in there thinking it will be a beast....cause it just wont. Might as well throw a good set of heads and cam in there while you are at it, the Lo5 still has the crappy swirl port heads. GMPP makes a 350 H.O. that is rated at like 330hp and makes a nice home in a thirdgen. It ahs vortec heads though so you'll need a special manifold in order to keep TBI. Of course, you could always ditch the TBI for a carb or whatever you want.

 

Whats wrong with the Lt1? I've seen quite a few successful Lt1 swaps in thirdgens and all of which lay down some pretty impressive times and numbers. Its more work but Lt1's are getting cheaper by the day.

 

I realize an LO5 isn't going to be a beast but it's a starting point. I may not have a beast now but down the road I will. Right now i'm just concerned with putting a bigger engine in it. That way I can concentrate on how I want the car to look. Basicially i'm starting a project that I should've started two years ago. But i'm lucky not everybody gets a second chance with their first car. Thanks for your help guys i'll keep you posted on how everything turns out.

 

I have went from a 305 tbi to a 350 tbi. I just got a 350 tbi out of a chevy truck close to the same year and used the trucks computer. use the accessories off of the 305 and evrything else works perfect. Goodluck, Charles

 

If I got a remanufactured engine and just got the computer from a chevy truck or caprice with the right chip would that work as well?

 

Yeah it will work, I got my 350 from Jasper and got a chip from tbichips.com i dunno if that guy still makes em or not though...its been a while