ENGINE SWAP FAQ

Info

What's this?

I get literally a couple emails a day asking me a lot of questions about my engine swap.  I don't usually have the time to respond right away, and sometimes I forget to respond until a couple weeks later when I run into the message again.  So, here are some of the most common questions that I get asked...

I will be adding more questions all the time, as I get the time to do it.  So, check back once in a while to see the updates.

Table Of Contents

Submit a question

Do you have a question that you would like answered here?  Email me at z28boy@twcny.rr.com

 

Questions & Answers

How much did the swap cost to do?

The way that I did the swap it was pretty expensive.  I spent a lot of money that could have been spent differently, but I have my own little way of doing things that usually means I spend more than I should.  Right now, for the engine and fuel injection mods alone, I am at about 4 grand.  For a breakdown of the prices, go to the "Price Options" page on this site.

 
Was it worth it to do the swap?
YES.

 

When did you do the swap?

I did the swap in the early summer of 2000.

 

Mow much horsepower and torque do you think you have?

My engine was rated at 330 HP and 380 ft-lb. of torque.  This was with a 600CFM carb.  It is really hard to say how much power I am at, but I am guessing that I am between 300 and 330.

I won't know for sure until I get the car on the dyno this spring.

 

What does your can do in the 1/4 mile with the new engine?

That is another question that is hard to answer.  It depends on what "form" the car is in.

Right now, as it is, only a low to mid 14 second 1/4 mile.  That is because of a few reasons...I have terrible tires, only one-wheel-peel, and 2.73 gears.  Also, my car is NOT tuned at all.

Once I get the car tuned and get my rear end done this spring, I am planning on a high 13 second 1/4.  Maybe like a 13.7-13.9.

The next step after that is my suspension which will come this summer.  After getting all of that done, I am hoping for a mid-13 second quarter.

For more info on the tuning, gears, and suspension, check out the "Future Plans" page.

 

What kind of mileage do you get with the new engine?

Not good.

Well, it's hard to say.  I get around 10-11 mpg, but there are a couple reasons for that.

First, I am not exactly known for driving "normally"...I have my other car for that.  So, when I DO drive the Camaro, I like to have fun, which is BAAAD for the mileage.

Second, I don't have the car tuned exactly right yet.  So, it is usually running pretty rich, which I am sure decreases the mileage that I actually see.

I have however heard of a couple people that did this swap that get mileage in the high teens, so I am sure there is a better potential out there.

 

Is it too difficult to swap a big block into a Thirdgen Camaro or Firebird?

It is a pretty big job to swap a big block into a Thirdgen.  The reason is simple...there isn't very much room to fit an engine of that size in under the hood.

I'm not an expert on this type of thing, but I do know that it is pretty difficult.  I know that it required a LOT of custom fabrication, etc.

For more info, I would do a search on the 'net to see what you could find.

 

Did you get a new flexplate when you swapped in the new engine?

No, I reused the old one.  It was in pretty good shape, so I decided to stick with it.

I went to the dealer and asked them the part number for the one that came stock on my car, and it matched up with the ones that fit the new engine, so I kept it.

But, if I had to do it again, I probably would have replaced it.  Just because of the fact that it isn't easy to get to, and if for any reason I needed a new one, it would be a PAIN to replace it.

I didn't have an extra hundred bucks (or whatever it was) laying around at the time, so I didn't get a new one.

 

Where did you get the adaptor plate for the throttle body?

I got it from Turbo City, www.turbocity.com.

 

Does the Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake fit under the hood without modifications?

Somehow, yes, it does.  Not sure why, because a lot of people had problems with similar intakes.

It's a TIGHT fit, but the hood does close.  I use a non-drop air cleaner also, which is even higher.  But, I don't use the spacer ring that usually goes on top of the throttle body (between the throttle body and the air cleaner assembly).

I may not have any clearance problems because of the fact that I have original motor mounts, and the motor may be sagging a little.  Not sure why.