Hi I am thinking of buying a 3rd gen soon. I like the body style but I might like to have a bigger engine than the 305 with a manual trans. What do you guys suggest for a v8 and manual trans combo????? Is there a common swap that the Camaro guys do?

 

Your best bet is going to be a 350. It'll have the same exterior dimensions as the 305 and should bolt right in. However, the stock manual transmission is very weak- they broke under the stock 305. You'd be wise to either learn to love an auto, or buy a stronger transmission, too.

Unless you're doing all of the work yourself, expect the cost of the swap to far exceed the value of the car. I spent $10k going from a 305 to a 350.

 

What would you suggest for a transmission......would the drivetrain (engine and trans) from an early 4th gen (93-96) work, they have 350's with 6 speed manuals correct.

 

Tremec is a good brand. Anything from them that can handle the torque of your engine is a good bet.

If you've got a donor car, then an LT1 could be good. You're gonna need a lot more than just the engine and transmission. I've never done such a swap myself so I don't know all of the things you'd need, though.

 

3rd Gen Manual Trans Conversion Info

 

The stock T5 manual trans will hold up depending on your driving style. The exact number is debated, but generally its only rated for about 300lb/ft of torque. If you don't plan on beating on it hard, it should hold up. There are a lot of people running T5's behind 350s, 383s, etc and they've survived for years.

Having said that, there are a lot of better options for transmissions out there (T56), if you have the money for it. T5 is good for a tight budget though.

 

I have a high performance 350 shifting through my T-5 and have had no issues yet *knock on wood* and I beat the hell out of the thing. My motor is putting a minimum of 350 HP to the ground. Car originally had a 305 TPI. However, being a '91 I have the World Class T-5, which was put in Camaro's from '90-'92. The have some different bearings in them, I believe, that aid in their ability to handle the power.

Your best bet is to upgrade to a 350. Very reasonable in price, and if you want to go ***** out you can stroke it later and put heads/nitrous on it to make a serious streeter.

 

I have had many T5 transmissions behind 350s and my only issue would be the first year syncro would go out but was a very easy fix only had to be done once. Would deffinatly suggest it!!