Hey guys, I have a project going on currently. I'm taking an 88 Firebird GTA 5.7 liter fuel injected engine and the accompanying transmission and installing it into my once V6 88 Camaro. I've never done an engine swap before and I have gathered much of the information on how to do things through my own experience in working on cars and reading internet forums and of course buying how-to books. I was originally going to just pull everything out and slap it in my camaro and make it run but then I determined it would be best to rebuild the motor check out the trans for serviceability and take my time and also do a lil dressing up of the motor and much needed cleaning of any applicable parts but I am concerned with what exactly I need to take out to make the install clean and be sure the motor will run because my knowledge of electrical systems is minimal.

I have successfully pulled out the donor motor and most of the equipment that I think I will need to install it into the Camaro but I'm not entirely sure about what electrical parts are needed. I would appreciate anyone that can give me a detailed list of things that need to be pulled out, so far I've pulled all engine accessories (alternator, power steering, etc) excluding the air compressor. I have also removed the transmission and driveshaft and the wiring harness is almost out completely. I'm pretty knowledgeable on the mechanical side of things but when it comes to wiring and control modules I get in uncharted territory. Would it be best to just use the wiring set up from the donor or something else? If so should I remove every electrical component in the donor and transfer it to the receiver or attempt to connect it to the existing wiring. Thanks, if you need me to elaborate on anything just ask. I know it's hard to give advice on something your not there looking at.

 

You will need to remove everything from your donor car to place in the v6 car, PCM sending units, all sensors and wires. Do make sure your sending units will work with the camaro gauges....they should...I think. You also may need a new/different fuel pump from what is in the camaro so it can supply your now tip engine. Interesting swap, to me that does seem like a lot of work and a lot of potential headaches getting everything squared away for a 240hp motor. No offense intended, just an atypical swap.

 

It was more of a repair than a "just for fun" swap. In a way my motor and transmission from the camaro had been stolen in an attempt to have a V8 put in it after the transmisison went out. I have another motor and transmission sitting in my camaro that is a V8 but I don't know what it came out of and won't until I take it out. It's very possible that I could use that engine and transmission but I have no parts for that motor. At this point it's seeming to be more affordable to just buy the original motor and trans for the camaro.