ok i have a 1988 of americas finest ever build vehicle call CAMARO! its a RS with a 305 tbi with well over 265,000 miles well put in it.(5 speed manual). And im looking around for an upgrade. I have seen other camaros at shows here in the san francisco bay area and i was quite thrill to see how creative many of could get! Any how to the point im looking to swap my 305 tbi with a 383 (which is a 350 four bolt block) or a 454. My question s would be "how difficult would it be to fit the 454 has it be done.? which would be a good tranny (manual) for it? also please keep in mind that this is a daily driver so im not looking for no high end super duper engines just something reliable but respectable on take offs and long runs!!!!! sorry if i made this to long!

 

if you have the t tops, I would shy away from the 454. I have read that the body will twist unless you give the body more support. the support stuff can easily be bought. a 383 wont be an issue. as for fit it has been done but I dont know whats involve except that it will be a tight fit. so tight, from what I have read, that a plug change will require you to all put pull the motor for 1 plug on the driver side. as far as the 4 bolt 383 I dont think a 4 bolt is really all that neccessary unless you plan on pouncing on it alot, and thats just me. I am going for a 2 bolt main on my 383 unless I find a good deal on a 4. I drive a truck ( 18 wheels) and cant afford a ticket for doing burnouts, but there is a city here that allows it on a 1000 ft piece of road 1 time a year, so that will probubly be my limit.:\

 

jim, even a mildly built 350 will cause the chassis to twist in a 3rd gen. with a 383, he's gonna need subframe connectors. with the 454, he's gonna need that and a little more (possibly cage)

if you're wanting a decent dd, i'd actually go with a mild 350. mine made 351rwhp and was quite docile around town (before i made an idiot move and blew it up). though you are DEFINITELY going to have to upgrade the T5 if you want to stick with the factory trans. they are horribly weak transmissions. if you really want to go 383, they can make decent power and torque, but they don't get the absolute greatest of gas mileage.

 

thanks so much for the feed back jim022659 and 1990camaroRS is highly appreciated and i think i left out that my 88 maro is a convertible and yes i heard that it would be a very tight fit before. You both right but i also heard that since is a convertible the body and chasis have a few extra welds and supports. Im kinda hesitant now with the 454 but still like the feeling of leaving a few pony's behind!!!. As far as gas mileage o well. I just wont be going to them strip joints on broadway for a while!! LOL

 

you also have to remember smog. a mildly built 350 will pass. 454 definately not

 

yea you right too mtn_maro but with the 383 since it looks like a 350 just on the outside and hoping that the cop does not know the difference if i get pulled over ha ha ha. Any how if im going to keep it legal yea the 350 would be my option but since you only smog a vehicle in CA every other year i wouldnt mind paying a few extra dollars to get someone to pass the smog. wink wink

 

I agree with them, stick to the built 350, and go with a t-56 its a six speed that is very strong and it fits almost anything. Make sure that once you build ur camaro that u make sure the diff can hold the power and the drive shaft can also. But definetly go with the 350

 

i looked at a 350 heavy duty of a truck the guy total his truck (rear end) collision and i might go that way. but my friend is a machinist and he gots the 383 on his it just roars like a champ LOL! there some good deals on craigslist. Yea i have to check on the trannie and gears too thanks Chevy_man45

 

just erase the 454 idea from your brain. NOT good for a DD, wont pass CALI smog regs, and its WAAAAY more work than a begginer is ready for. a 383 will drop right in place of the current engine, you can even use the current tranny if you get it rebuilt. But as stated before, dont depend in it lasting long. I personally think you should stick with a MILD at best 350. If you go too radical your talkin about a new rear and tranny, not to mention stiffining up the chassis ( convert or not, you will need it). Good luck buddy. If you are really wanting more power and have LOTS of money.. go snag a LS series motor to build up. Its a bit more work, but it can be made smog legal, have lots of power, be very reliable. Plus, its just cool. lol

 

thanks 350rs totally right and yea its best for me to just let go of the idea of the 454 and just settle for a 350 or 383. now my next thing will be the trannie and gears. sadly but truly gm did not gave a whole lot of power to stock t5 thats going to be what im going to be hunting for.