Hi, all i have a 88 Camaro v8 tbi i think (correct me if i am wrong) yea so as u can see i am new to camaro's my dad has given me the car as a present. well currently i am working on the body as of now, not much to be done.

Just some minor repairs to the passenger fender (little dent) and a hole in the roof.. from rust.. and im going to repaint the car sometimes this week.

ok to the engine.. mean while as I prep to repaint the car. i also want to give the car some new internals =) to go with the paint.

so what would you guys recommend?

i figure i should get a TPI set up and get a new block..but I am a noob so what do i know right? lol

i did read the 305 build up links, but does that comply with my motor as well?

 

Welcome!

Do you have pictures of the car?

 

Welcome to the forums!

You never specified what engine you have. It could be a 305 or 350 but my guess would be that you have a 305. If the engine has never been replaced you can check the vin number. If the eighth number is an 8 then it is a 350. E or F means its a 305.

I am coming up on finishing my rebuild, but I this is my first rebuild. I am changing from a 305 to a 350 but keeping it TBI. If you wanted to change to a TPI setup you will have to obviously get a new intake manifold, air cleaner, wiring harness and I think even a different computer. As for performance increase from TBI to TPI I wouldn't be able to help you there to tell you if it would justify the parts and labor required to swap.

 

ah sorry, the motor is a 305 v8 tbi; and today i just got the dent fixed and ready for paint, on Saturday i will replace the the hole with sheet metal ,; weld it down and then grind it down, and get that ready for paint, on Sunday.

as for the TBI..im just going to keep it that way lol to much work finding TPI part in the junk yard, and they might not even work, so yeah.

can i just get a 350 block with victor jr heads? will that work?

 

honestly, unless you have somebody helping you do all this work. i wouldnt tackle a motor swap with as limited knowledge as yourself. Learn a bit more then give it a try. Ask questions, LOTS of them. Of course hands on is the best way to learn, but questions help.

could you get a 350 block? yea sure. but what about EVERYTHING else that goes with it? Or are you talking about a complete 350? If so, you can pull out that 305 and put in the 350 with minimal problems.

 

actually my dad has a friend who is willing to help me with the project, i dont have much knowledge on my Camaro,

i do have background in doing engine swaps in BMW's, Supras and even a LS2 swap in a RX7, i can find the parts for a 350 block it would take some time, but i have some of the parts in my garage already (just the block and crank shaft)

also i have a semi-built evo that i built my self for Time Attack's/ Daily Driving, that i built by my self, but tuned by my friend. if that counts xD

 

well maybe i was just misunderstanding what you were saying then. If you can i would put the 350 in. i had one in my RS with the TBI on it still and it ran pretty good. But like any gearhead, it wasnt enough.

 

Droping a carburated 350 into a TBI car is not too hard of a swap but as said above you will need some help if you are new to this kind of thing. But if you do try it i think you would be very happy with a 350 and vortec heads. Should make for a fun daily driver.