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Necoa #: 12333
Location: 2(CT,MA,ME,NH,RI,VT)
Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 1
Year: 1986
Model: El Camino
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: 6 cyl - 350 swap,,,,,,,which transmission
i am restoring an 86 el camino and have a couple of questions. It is the 6 cylinder and I plan on dropping in a 350 from a 84 chevy pickup.
1-anything special that I need to know?
2-which tranny can i go with ( i assume that i can't use the one thats in there right?)
3- any other modifications that need to be done to make it fit?
Necoa #: 5
Location: San Antonio, Texas, after living in Hawaii for 31 years.
Joined: Apr 12, 2003
Posts: 612
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject:
When I did my switch to the 350 I left my tranny the same. But as I built it up, I went to a 350 tranny. When I got it to around 400 hp and gas prices started to go up, I changed to a 700R4 built to handle the extra power.
If I were to do it over again, I would go directly to the 700R4. But am sure others here like the 200R4 betrter for different reasons. Both would suit your needs well. You never know if gas may go to 5 or 6 dollars a gallon.
Just my .02 cents.
Mike _________________ mygallary
I did the swap too. I pulled out my 4.3 v6 and metric 200 transmission and put in a 350 with a 700r4. I can tell you a couple things that you will have to change to make the new V8 fit. The motor mounts will need to be changed out, the starter, fan shroud and an A/C line. You'll probably want to get a bigger radiator too. If you put a 700r4 in you'll need to shorten the drive shaft. I think thats was all I had to change out. Good luck with everything.
Necoa #: 7482
Location: 14(AR,LA,MS)
Joined: May 13, 2006
Posts: 266
Year: 1978
Model: El Camino
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:24 pm Post subject:
305 and a 200 metric replaced with a 383 and 700R4, had to shorten driveshaft 3 inches _________________ 385 stroker, brodix, weiand super charger,
6' in rods, predator roller cam, duration 238 int
246 exh, lift 576 int / 592 exh, jackson gear
drive, compcams roller rockers 1.6, afterburner
headers, 3' in exhaust with x-pipe, 700r4 trans
Necoa #: 7599
Location: 15(AZ,NM)
Joined: Jun 06, 2006
Posts: 121
Year: 1985
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:00 am Post subject:
Your 4.3 has TBi fuel injection and I believe the 84 350 truck engine will be carbed. You will have to change your intake manifold if you stay with the TBi. The throttle cable bracket from the 4.3 will not fit the 5.7 manifold. I had to fabricate a new cable bracket.
I kept the TBi set up when I did my changeover however, I replaced the 2 - 4.3 injectors with ones that were meant for a 350. I also replaced the computer for the 350 set up. (easy work though)
Doug is correct about the tranny's and drive shaft, those he mentioned will bolt right up. I'm still running a TH350 and it is plenty fast......I can pass anything but a gas pump. If I were to do itall again I would spend the extra bucks on the 700R4 and have the drive shaft shortend. You will also need a different cross member for the 700R4. I think the extra gear would probably take me from 12mpg up to about 16.
Since it is an 86 model it probably already has the TH2004r in it and that will work fine with the 350 engine as will the computer for the fuel injection.
I helped my cousin do essentially the same upgrade on his pickup and we even used the stock fuel injector.
Since its a throttle body injection system it has no idea what size the engine is---it simply injects fuel then looks at the O2 sensor to make corrections...we did later upgrade the injector to a Holley replacement because the little stock injector would only power the engine to about 4000rpm before it just went flat...its only 390cfm--the replacement was 670cfm.
The major change was the intake had to be one for a throttle body and still have the intake bolts at the correct angle for the early model heads---I forget which Edelbrock intake we used...............Dan _________________ I don't think I have ever had a car that was "FINISHED"........unless it was totaled.
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