A buddy of mine just gave me an '86 z28 T-top...it isn't in great condition. The body is still good, the interior is good, but needs to be reassembled. It has no engine or transmission. I'm looking for a 350ci, I don't know really where to get one or which transmission would pair well with it. I want a stick, but I don't know 5 speed, 6 speed what? Get back to me
THnks,
Nate

 

six speeds were not available in F-body's until '93, so if you want a six speed in your car, the most straightforward way to do that would be to find a wrecked fourth gen and swap in the engine and transmission. This is not a trivial install, however. The easiest way to go about getting a good bang for your buck would be to get a good carbed small block and donor parts from a 5 speed third gen and go from there as everything should be a direct bolt in.

Good luck

 

Id try to find a wrecked donor car for the engine a trans. Someone I know found a wrecked 4th gen lt1 with 6 speed to put into his 1st gen camaro, so you could more than likely do it into a 3rd gen as well. Search this site for lt1/or ls1 if your doing that 3rd gens, im sure there are some of them, and ask them how the swap went.

 

Hey, I'm near Conroe (Cut-N-Shoot) myself. You don't say if that car started as an auto or stick, probably auto, but that would make a difference. If it's a complete conversion then you'd be best to buy a wrecked car. There were a lot of 3rd gen birds with sticks and TPI motors. It might be a 305 but it'd be a good place to start. I don't think they put manual trans with the 350 because the 5-speeds weren't too strong and that might be another issue to consider.

 

I believe it is an automatic. Do you really think the 305 is worth the effort? Granted it is a good place to start...where might I go about finding a wrecked bird or camaro? Carb or FI? Which is the best way to go?

 

Omg.. simple solution.. first budget.. find out how much $ you have to spend..

If it were me? I would get a 350, build it up decently.. and then mate it to a TH350 or 400 with manual valve body.. no need for clutch and you will be shifting when you want..
from there, start replacing parts that break..

 

Like I said I'm a noob...what are those transmissions? I've got a very limited budget....I think I've gotten ahold of a freshly rebuilt 350, but I need a tranny now. I'd like to have a manual, what are those ones you were talking about? Is it just an auto stick? Like with the button on top where you just throw it in gear...I'd rather have a clutch.... does anyone know an easy way to tell if I have posi-trac? I know it's an '86 z28 t-top but not much beyond that. Later

 

Visit thirdgen.org. They not only have TONS of threads about swapping parts from one year to another, but they have a parts for sale section where you might be able to nab stuff pretty cheap.

My advice - find a donor vehicle of some sort. Buying the engine, then the trans, then hooking it all up, then wiring, then....etc... it get REAL expensive even for a lame buildup. You could find another thirdgen that is all beat-to-hell but runs great...then swap over the whole drivetrain. Make one good car out of two...should work best for ya.