Im having trouble finding an L98 for The 3rd gen Camaro's. I can find plenty of the 4th gens, but I would like to stay with what is supposed to be in my car (even though I have the 305, I'm looking to get the L98 350). I checked GM Performance Parts, and they dont sell them, only the newer L98's.

I guess it wouldnt be a problem to upgrade to the newer L98 (more power, and I'm assuming better quality?) but this would be my first engine swap that would not be made for the car I owned, so I'm a bit concerned about avaliable space for my 1989 IROC.

If anyone can help me locate a L98 for the 3rd gen, that would be greatly appreciated. If not, would the updated L98 even fit (im assuming it would)?

I have the time, money, and engine building experiance, I just dont have the knowledge of the avaliable space, and dont feel like makeing a $5,000 mistake for a crate engine that wont fit.

Thanks, Profane.

 

dont worry about fit, you can squeeze a big block in there if you really wanted to. Post a wanted add on this site for the motor, somebody may have one, but it will probably need to be rebuildt if they took it out. Since you have a 305 in it, the 350 swap will be a much easier process than the v6 or even straight 4.

 

Thanks alot man. I found a 350 TPI online after alot of searching. It was the ONLY fuel injected 350 I could find that wasnt from a gen 4 camaro.

Buying it today, and ripping the 305 out tomorrow.

Rebuilding is not a problem for me. I was planning on it anyway. I'm determined to get the car to sound like a early 70's camaro, with the nice gurgeling in that horse galloping pattern (thats what I always thought it sounded like when I'd see one roll by me at a car show.)

Ive got alot of experiance rebuilding engines. Hopeing to get a light weight crank, rods, and cams. I'll be getting some nice heads, headers, new intake manifold (if I can find one. Seem to be having trouble finding one that I trust to buy. Im afraid of buying parts off the internet. Havent been able to go to a camaro swapmeet or anything.)

Ganna be a great summer project. Cant wait to get it on a dyno after

 

are you wanting that lopey sound like in the 454 chevelles? if so, the only way to get that is with a... you guessed it, a 454. You can get a bit of a lopey sound out of the SBC though. with the right combination of parts. good luck, let us know how it turns out

 

Welp, I delayed ordering an engine for a little bit, but the 305 is out. It had a rod-knock when I bought it so I'm ganna fix that up, maybe sell it, who knows?

I tend to think about things to much, that I confused myself on what I really would like to do.

I'm not sure if I want a fuel injected anymore. All the cars that are fuel injected tend to get away from that "chug-chug-chug, chug-chug-chug" sound I really want. But I've also never built, or even driven a carbed car in my life. My dad has a 66 Nova SS with a rebuilt 350 from a 69 z28, and it always takes forever to start it, and it always runs rough. But its that "running rough, galloping lopey" sound that I love and would like. What can I say? I'm from the fuel injected era, I dont know what Im talkin about when it comes to carbs lol.

That gurgle depends alot on the exhaust to. Exhaust is always one of the first things I do to a car.

So, with that being said. Im now considdering a Ram-Jet 350

 

the ZZ4 crate is almost exactly the same as the l98

 

the ZZ4 is NOT emissions legal though if you need to pass that. Otherwise, go for the ZZ4 if you wish, cant argue with 350 horse out of the box!

 

didn't know that the ZZ4 wasn't legal!!! crap, better not get pulled over then!