Engine interchange

Tiny
MS1980
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 PONTIAC TRANS AM
  • 140,000 MILES
Could someone please tell me step by step what I need to do and what I need to change to be able to put a older carburetor Chevy 350 made into a 383 stroker into a fuel injected 1987 gta trans am and I don't want to use the fuel injection please include if all the gauges will still work and if the transmission will bolt up if not what do I need to do about the transmission please help me I can't find anyone to help me yet your my last hope :-)
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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 5:01 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
First you need to check your state's smog laws. Most states will require you to keep an engine that your vehicle was available from the factory with. Some states allow that requirement to fall away after 30 years.

Next, to list everything that would need to be done would take an hour or so. Basically, you'll need to remove the motor. Remove the ignition system and electronic controls. Then you'll need to swap those over to what the stroker engine has.

The trans should work. The gauges should work as long as you have the proper sending units. You may need to change the transmission crossmember and center mount.
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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 6:01 AM
Tiny
MS1980
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Thank you. Is there anywhere online that I can find step by step instructions of everything I need to do? I'm desperate.
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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If you change to a chevy engine, the tyranny might also need to be replaced, Tm made chevy bellhousing different.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
You could check hot rodder forums. You could pick up a Haynes manual:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals

The manual is going to be your best bet. It'll have everything you need listed. But there really isn't a 'checklist' for pulling the stock motor and installing an older one. You're going to need to know the year of the car the older engine came out of, so you can find what equipment and components it needs to run.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 11:26 PM

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