Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Jackson MS
Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3
Would a motor out of a late model trans am or z28 camaro be easy to put in a c3. When and if I get my vette I will want more power and to have something newer and more reliable as it will be a daily driver. So would a trans am/z28 engine be as easy to put in as a crate engine, I figure if I could find a car like that in a salvage yard it would probably be good bit cheaper.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
Re: Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3 (IWantAC3)
I used a '95 LT1/4L60E Camaro engine/tranny in my C3 vette. You will need to change the accessory bracket to a Corvette system. See my web page for more details. I don't know how easy an L98 Camaro engine will fit into a C3 vette. I know a guy currently putting an LS1 into his '70 C3. It seems to be coming along pretty good. You will love the way your C3 perform with modern running gear.
Dan
My web page:
Dan
My web page:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: Gig Harbor WA
Re: Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3 (IWantAC3)
A crate motor will be an comparatively inexpensive and easy swap.
I just bought a 360 hp 383 stroker motor from Cylinder Head Service in Edgewater Fl for $2000 including shipping coast to coast.
It should be here on Monday.
All the brackets and accessories swap straight across.
ebay # 595559756
Tell me what you think
I just bought a 360 hp 383 stroker motor from Cylinder Head Service in Edgewater Fl for $2000 including shipping coast to coast.
It should be here on Monday.
All the brackets and accessories swap straight across.
ebay # 595559756
Tell me what you think
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3 (IWantAC3)
IMO, unless you are VERY capable technically, it's not worth the money to do the swap with junkyard parts...too much to be left to chance and searching for parts...unless you have the time and enjoy that sort of stuff....like me....
an engine rebuilt to your specs, or even a new crate GM engine will be losts easier to work with, not to mention installing the probable L98 FI system...
have to do your own wiring harness though...
GENE
an engine rebuilt to your specs, or even a new crate GM engine will be losts easier to work with, not to mention installing the probable L98 FI system...
have to do your own wiring harness though...
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,244
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
Re: Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3 (mrvette)
I installed a LT1 TPI engine that was for a 93 Camaro. It was a fairly simple swap. You will have to install a electric fuel pump, computer and harness. It was costly, as I used new parts, motor and computer and ECM harness ets. I also used shorty headers and side exhaust The 93 Camaro engine has no coolant fan and I used a dual electric fan. I also used a serpentine belt syustem from Street and Performance for my accessories. I am real pleased with the results. There are also many ways to do the swap cheaper. You can use salvage parts for most of the swap. I chose new because I did not want to be worried about the quality or durability of the parts, plus it is much cleaner and easier to work with new parts. If you want pictures or more information you can e-mail me at Gibbys@home.com. In an earlier post Dan was a lot of help to me in my installation. Roger
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3 (IWantAC3)
It is important that you know that pontiacs used to have their own unique engines until around 1980. A few years used either the Pontiac or Chevy. All later pontiacs had chevy small blocks with a little different bracketing but are still Chevy. The old Pontiac engines are completely different and will not even bolt up to a chevy trans. So you can use a late model Pontiac trans am 350 as long as it is a "chevy". You can not use a Pontiac 350,389,400,421,455. No GTO engines either.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: MO
Re: Will a Trans Am engine work in a c3 (IWantAC3)
This winter I am going to install a LT5 engine and a ZF-6speed tranny in my 80 Vette, and it will be very detailed ( many pictures and how to do this and that ) so when I go to put the LT5 in, I will post to let you know if it fit or not.
[Modified by C3sharkattack, 9:07 AM 9/29/2001]
[Modified by C3sharkattack, 9:07 AM 9/29/2001]
