So I posted an intro before about the car. 85 C4 Bronze 4+3. Engine knocking hard. Pulling the motor and have a Jegs 350HP/300 Small block that is right for my year coming. I debated going with the 383 but have a lot to get through to get the car running and read it may need a reprogram. Goal is to get the car running with the fresh engine, eliminate as much rework I can but,,,, eliminate complexity as I know there will be issues. Trying to balance just putting old stuff back on then swapping later.

Questions for the group...
1. When I pull the motor and swap from old motor to new, what should I just go ahead and replace (Water Pump, injectors etc.)
2. Should I remove the smog pump etc and just delete it altogether.?
3. Exhaust Manifold - if I replace the manifolds do I need to change entire exhaust?
4. Clutch etc. Same, while I have the motor out will inspect the clutch etc
5. I've heard the Intake Manifolds on L98's of that year are an issue, is there a better alternative or should I just bolt the original one on (if not cracked etc). If it is then what is a good alternative with the existing computer etc.


Will have a much longer list I'm sure but this is a starting point.

 

Id do a cliutch water pump...dont forget the pilot bushing get a good oil impregnated one
Summit/jegs may still sell the GM one its 10 bux. Id just leave the rest alone unless your injectors are original
Keep it simple, stays reliable that way

 

Thanks, that aligns well. Didn't think about the pilot bushing. As far as I can tell everything is original. Should I look at Injectors too (recommendations ?)
1. Motor mounts
2. Clutch (any recommendations?)
3. Water pump.

Also, Should I take the Transmission out when I pull the motor? Does it make it easier to put back in? Don't want to take the hood off if at all possible.
Injectors look stock.
Things that I've observed that need to be addressed also seem to be pretty common.
- Gas Pedal mount - found a stock one for $30 with mount
- Hood Cables (building a tool today based on pictures in this forum)
- Door window is loose and I'll address later

 

Opinions are like belly buttons.
everybody has one.
for all those who say i did it wrong, i drive it every day.
i took the 350 out and plopped a 383 in its place.
same intake, same injectors, same water pump, same 113 heads, same exhaust, same everything.
it runs fine.
what i did do:
1.k&N air filter.
2. bigger throttle body,
3.cleaned up the welding on the exhaust manifold flanges, and used an’89 rh exh manifold for the better EGR tube.
4. true dual exhaust with an H pipe, no cats.
5. 1991 vert mufflers.
6. relocated MAT sensor.
7. Iridium spark plugs
8. 1991 firebird 700R4 trans with different servo pin(longer for
more bite).
9. 86 corvette converter
10. 1996 Dana 36 with 3.07 gears.
11. 3 row chinese radiator.
12. it’s an edelbrock water pump.
13. C5 cooling fan motor inthe stock fan
14. wired the aux fan to come on with the main fan
15. 160 stat
1989 corvette eprom
car runs good.
i don’t abuse it, i couldn’t tell you if it runs out of air at full throttle because at 100 mph, i let off and it cruises fine.
it gets 23.5 on the highway and 18 around town.
it has a compucam for TPI engine, full roller block, 4 bolt mains, full roller timing chain, KB pistons , 1.6 roller rockers on exhaust, 1.5 on intakes. sounds healthy
no drone, quiet inside.
not bad for a 35 year old plastic car.
Other mods are:
C5 front brakes, adjustable rear strut rods, C5 wheels, all are 18”.
1991 corvette rear cargo area carpet and speaker covers, 1996 corvette collector car seats, 1996 mats,
right now, i put the stock iron ‘86 heads on it to clean up the heads.
Runs just fine, but a little down in power, but with bigger combustion chambers, i can run mid grade gas.
today, that’s pretty good
,