I have a customer that wants me to completely swap out the drivetrain from a 91 camaro (305/700r4/10bolt) and swap in the drivetrain from a 89 GTA (350/A4/not sure on the rear axle).

I was curious how tough swaps are on these cars and whether or not I would run into any major snags. He wants to keep the same speed density TPI off the camaro so I would basically just be swapping the longblock, transmission, and rear end.

I was thinking of just completely unbolting the suspension and lifting the car to remove the motor and trans out of the bottom of the car, is this possible on these?

I have never done a camaro before, and was just looking for some general swap info

 

Yes this is all possible. And not that hard at all. I did it in a garadge with no tools, and 4 friends. We lifted the car up on beams, if you have a lift. It would take lass than a couple days, max. If you want, check out my site, it has pics of how I did everything. I am going more nuts on my buildup than your customer, but the pics give a good idea of what these cars look like taken appart. Oh its a 91 too,

 

Thats probably possible but I would just pull the engine/tranny together out the top. With the condensor, radiator,and fans out it frees up alot of space.

changing the rear would be easy,unbolt the shocks and panhard bar,brake lines,e-brake cables and that baby drops right out. Took me about 1 1/2 hours by myself in a garage w/ tools.

 

From what I hear, it takes about the same amount of time to pull the engine out of the top or lift the car away from the engine. That being said, since you are removing the rear too I'd say your way is a good one.

 

I would just pull the body and put it on the GTA frame and tell him his camaro is all ready to go. j/k

 

That might work if either car HAD a frame.

They're both tpi? The only thing I see that'll be a huge problem is the computer?

And if the only difference is that 350/305--why swap trannies/rears?

I don't know how well lifting the body off the front suspension would would, once you lifted up, it'd all collapse in on itself. (suspension-wise) If it was supported, then maybe.

 

I was thinking the same thing, but I assumed they had a good reason and just weren't telling us.

 

The GTA prolly has a 9 bolt rear, and who knows about the A4...might be built already or something.

I would pull the engine/tranny out through the hood (disconnect everything, pull radiator, remove hood - comes out easy).

- Justin

 

Don't understand why he wants the trans and rear end. In fact the 91 may have a 4L60E. Don't remember what year they changed. But physically the 700R4, 4L60, & 4L60E are all the same. The rear may have a different ratio in it, but otherwise they are the same.
You can take the engine out from the top or bottom. If you take it out the bottom you have to drop the cross member, which means disconnecting all the front suspension and steering. If you take it out the top you don't have to touch this stuff, but you probably want to remove the radiator.
I would talk to this guy again, maybe the 89 has really low miles.

 

4L60e wasn't in the F-body 'till 94. May not be the same rear - 9 bolt and 10 bolt are quite different.

- Justin