V8 swap

[Pewter99Camaro]

Well, I have decided to scrap the 3.8 rebuild I was going to do and throw in a 350-carburated of course! I don't want any computer crap in my car...it's too much of a hassle and a wiring nightmare plus too costly to buy new "windows hardware." Any hints to make this work?

[Wicked 3800 V6]

Dude ... THERE IS A 110 MESSAGE POST RIGHT BELOW YOU.
-Rob

[nino]

but arent all those posts for a fuel injected engine?

[Magnus]

How good are you with a welder? Cause your going to have to fab up a lot of stuff like motor mounting hardware, tranny mounting hardware, etc. etc.

If you can fab up mounts, AND your distributor doesn't interfear with the cowl (GOOD LUCK!) then you will be ok.

[John_D.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Pewter99Camaro:
...throw in a 350-carburated of course! I don't want any computer crap in my car...<hr></blockquote>

I think Painless Wiring makes some stuff to help with that. I believe you need their VATS bypass to tie into the existing wiring. Not sure what their website name is. Jegs and Summit carry some of their products.

Beyond that, you can probably wire up the basic engine stuff yourself. (alternator wire and coil wire would get it running...).

Gauges would be the only other main thing. The sensors in the carb engine may not give out the right signals for your existing gauges, so you might be looking at some aftermarket oil and water gauges.

Tach wire can be spliced into, but without the v8 cluster, tach will be off. Swap to a v8 cluster, or go with aftermarket there too.

That would cover the basics.

And a switched hot wire to the electric choke on the carb, unless you have a manually operated choke on it.

Speedo... if you have an automatic, you may need a non-electronic tranny. Early 4L60 (before the E got added), or a 700R4. There are places making auto tranny computers for the 4L60E, but they're high (around 600-700 I think). Retain the electric speed sensor if you want to keep your speedo.

Different fuel pressure regulator will be needed. 40psi will be way more than the carb can handle.

[naptown]

A couple of questions.
1. You have a 99 3.8 WTF? Why would you do a swap. Its only been 3 years.
2. A Carburated 350 WTF? There is only going to be about a 40 hp increase.

If I were you I would put a EFI 350 with headers, cam, heads, 12 bolt rear end then you would be pushing around 450-500 hp.


IMHO the only reason to do this is for bragging rights but even still its a crate motor that puts out 260 hp. at the crank.

[navyblue2000]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by naptown:
A couple of questions.
1. You have a 99 3.8 WTF? Why would you do a swap. Its only been 3 years.
2. A Carburated 350 WTF? There is only going to be about a 40 hp increase.

If I were you I would put a EFI 350 with headers, cam, heads, 12 bolt rear end then you would be pushing around 450-500 hp.


IMHO the only reason to do this is for bragging rights but even still its a crate motor that puts out 260 hp. at the crank.<hr></blockquote>

oh, crap. i guess my buddy with a 84 carb'd 305 really wasn't running 12's in his street car :rolleyes:

[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: navyblue2000 ]</p>

[naptown]

Well, those cars came carb'd :rolleyes:
also, I can make a 02 Ford Focus run 10's with a 302 v8 in it whats your point? :rolleyes:

[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: naptown ]

[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: naptown ]</p>

[navyblue2000]

a carb'd 350 done right will be more than 40 hp gain, that is all.

oh, and my buddy's carb'd 305 was in an '84 TA, full interior.

[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: navyblue2000 ]</p>

[Magnus]

Carbs suck *** !

The only thing carbs are good for is saving $$$.

[Bliggida]

generally, a SBC will make at the very minimum 1 HP per cubic inch. If it doesn't you're not doing something right.

450 horses out of a 350 is no sweat. But why put that in a '99 car. Get an LS1.

Don't agree with you Magnus. There are quite a few cars out there getting 20 MPG and 12 seconds with a carbureted engine.

[Camaro Bob]

All I have to Say is Daemon Carbs rock! You can easily get 600 horse out of a carbed 350....it may cost a small fortune, but it's very possible. If you don't believe me, go to your local dirt track and watch the late models and the modifides. They all run right around 600 horse. Oh, and that's with a 2 barrel, which is regulation. Only a 40 horse gain....geeze. It only takes money, it is all possible.

[panman79]

I've heard you can't even put a carb under our hoods, unless you want to cut the hood of course.

[Camaro Bob]

Well, I fit a supercharged carbed 383 under my Z-roc hood....it is possible, just takes the $$!