Engine block swap

[Burnout]

Hi guys.
I am trying to collect some information on swapping out my old 86 carbed block with a new 87-88, carbed possibly MPFI block.

Will my current intake manifold be able to transfer onto the new block? (Did GM change the manifold from 86 to 87-88 on the camaro? Because I received information from two different sources contradicting one another.)

If I did convert to MPFI what new parts would I need to buy to complete the engine? (I know I would need a new wiring harness and new valve covers. Which others am I leaving out, so I can properly research how much it would cost me.)

Or is it even worth converting to MPFI?

And last but not least.

Is there anything else I should know about this swap?

Thanks. I appreciate your responses.

[Jessev]

i gotta ask why... the only major difference is the one piece rear main seal

[Burnout]

i guess the main reason is i've had some bad experiences with this engine. Broke down all the time. Bought it used at 270k...spent most of the 25k i drove in the shop. The last camaro i had (88 base model) had a reliable engine, with roughly the same mileage. Wasn't the 86 the crossover year? But then again i really don't have a reason to not stick with the 86 one.

[Jessev]

its just the block though man. its the internals that are gonna determine how long it holds together and shit. you dont know how differently those 2 cars were driven. definitely rebuild, but you dont NEED to swap blocks

[Burnout]

Well the story goes, i lent my cousin the car about a month back. He drove it for a couple weeks, it developed an oil leak. He didn't catch it, and the engine seized while he was driving it on the highway. Now i'm in this predicament

[Jessev]

well then the first thing i would do is get that engine out and tear it apart, see if the block is usable or if he fucked it up good.


second i would mention than i have an 88 350 block for sale

[Burnout]

Yeah that was the first thing i did. It's fucked to shit.

That 350 u mentioned, im assuming it's used or has it been rebuilt? How much mileage on it? And how much are you looking to sell it for?

[Jessev]

i said BLOCK. its just a block with crank and pistons in it. i have no idea how many miles, it was running though. i could get you the heads and intake (TBI) if you want but it would involve sneaking into the shop at my old house, as i forgot them there.

[89vert]

86 block could be a 1 peice rear main, its the cross over year,

if you don't already have a 1 peice rear main,
you'll need a new oil pan and dipstick,
flexplate or flywheel,
your intake will not bolt on to the newer heads but you heads will bolt on to the newer block,

a few other things wil need to be changed,

if I were you I'd just look for an older carbed block complete and running and drop it in

[MonkeyWrench]

if i where you i would get this http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=WRL%2D101210&autoview=sku

[Jessev]

i dunno...id go with the ZL1
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL%2D12370850&autoview=sku

[MonkeyWrench]

fuck that 454 small block

[Burnout]

if I were you I'd just look for an older carbed block complete and running and drop it in


That's exactly what i went with...thanks.

Thanks for all your input guys. I appreciate it.