Ok, Ive got a friend, hes dropped every kind of engine into every kinda car you can think of. He tells me he has a friend selling a 350 turboed with the trans pulled from a first gen, and that he can drop it right in with only motor mounts trans mounts and a wire harness and that we can do it right in his garage. Whats the possibility of this? Im skeptical.

 

why would you want to go backwards in technology for less HP and mileage. Unless that engine has been built it will not produce the same amount of HP the 3.8 does. The 3.8L HP is determined with all accessories attached, the 1st gen Camaro engine was rated with no accessories and using different methods that overrated the actual HP. Also the TH350 tranny is not as efficient as the 4L60E that is in your car. The 4L60E has a lockup converter for better mileage and also an overdrive for the same reason.

As for putting a SBC in the 4th gen, this is possible but it is more than just engine mounts and wiring. You will need a K member from a LT1 car first off, you are going to have to figure out something for a distributor, or some method of changing the cap and rotor, I am sure that you are not going to want to drop the engine down to get to it. The OptiSpark system was developed for this car, used in other cars yes but developed for the Camaro. Stick with the 3.8L if you ask me, if you want a V8 then you have 2 options, buy a Z28 (easy way) or find a totaled 96-97 LT1 car or a LS1 car as a doner and swap everything over... check the engine swap thread in the V6 forum.

Massey

 

amazing isn't it? How many 1st gen small blocks into 4th gen frame questions we get and each time it is phrased differently. Anyway, forget that technology now allows over 400HP from a normally aspirated 5 liter engine. I say do it and post pics

 

well probly could but a sawzall will most likely be involved. and then it would not last long. the v6 engine bay is built lighter than that of the v8,,,same goes for the suspension its not made for the weight or torque of a v8.

 

Ya I figured the same thing craby, and ya I know the whole process of switching to a lt1 or ls1. I just dont have the money to go the easy way. And I dont have the know how to do a full swap.

 

find an ls1 thats been wrecked and swap your body panels that seems to be the best way to do it also that solves "but my car looks soooo good" lol thats my case my car does look sooo good prob the nicest looking camaro in my area and i do want the V8 with the 6 speed but id crash that so ill stick with the 3.4 good and limited

 

u guys are responding as if he said it was an sbc with a turbo350 trans.
i read his post as a turbo'd 350 sbc with a transmission, in which case it wouldnt be that unusual of a swap. people have put older sbc's into these cars before in order to go with a carburated setup to make some easy power. u dont see it as much in 4th gens, but i saw a 3rd gen not that long ago with a carbed crate engine in it. unless im missinng something I think that is more the route the OP is talking about

 

thats why a sawzall would be needed to make room for the dizzy and the intake.