84 engine swap
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
84 engine swap
I am looking to purchase an '84 needing an engine .I would like to upgrade to newer engine /transmission . What is needed to do do so and what models will work.? I there any written material to outline this swap. Thanks,
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,105
From: Central North Carolina
RE: 84 engine swap
It all depends on how much you want to spend. Starting at the top (lots of money) I'm pretty sure you can buy kits to install an LS1-2-6 or 7and a modern auto or manual trans inyour car -- I know such conversions have been done. The engine trans combo, engine computers, etc., and all the conversion will probably cost you about $15k - by the time it is done right: there are a lot of little messy details you have to get worked out, like getting the AC to work, power steering, etc. Its a mess but can be done. But you will not be done: the original drivetrain cannot handle that power reliably (even when new) and you'll have a lot of work there.
A much better idea might be to just drop in a new crate engine and a rebuilt version of the original trans. Good, relatively inexpensive (and stone reliable) crate engines that will fit with no problems can be had from GM from 290 HP (equivalent to about 275 once in the car -- about 20% more than what the car came with originally) to355 HP. This you ought to be able to do for about $4500 - $5500 counting the rebuilt trans, etc. You can get non-GM but reputable engine company crate engines with up to 434 cubic inches and 450 HP in a small block crate engine that will fit, for a bit more.
If it were my car, I'd probably put in something rather modest (300-325 HP -- about a 33% increase over stock), which is about all the drivetrain can handle when in good shape. I'd spend the rest of any money I had onrenewing and taking care of the rest of the drive train, new U joints, bushings, etc. etc., so that I had a very reliable and balanced version of this car.
A much better idea might be to just drop in a new crate engine and a rebuilt version of the original trans. Good, relatively inexpensive (and stone reliable) crate engines that will fit with no problems can be had from GM from 290 HP (equivalent to about 275 once in the car -- about 20% more than what the car came with originally) to355 HP. This you ought to be able to do for about $4500 - $5500 counting the rebuilt trans, etc. You can get non-GM but reputable engine company crate engines with up to 434 cubic inches and 450 HP in a small block crate engine that will fit, for a bit more.
If it were my car, I'd probably put in something rather modest (300-325 HP -- about a 33% increase over stock), which is about all the drivetrain can handle when in good shape. I'd spend the rest of any money I had onrenewing and taking care of the rest of the drive train, new U joints, bushings, etc. etc., so that I had a very reliable and balanced version of this car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5
RE: 84 engine swap
Thanks for the reply,I like your daily driver .I have been a Porsche owner on and off since 1963.Have been racing a 356 since 1995 , doing total rebuild to get ready for the third "Rennsport Reunion" at Daytona in November 2007.My son and I will compete with it .For the rest of the year we drive S-2000 sportsracing cars with SVRA. This '84 is Sunday or weekend car ,I thought it might be better and easyto replace the tired and noisy Cross Fire with a Tunedram Injection motor out of a 1986 -1988 C-4 with wiring and ECU, but a crate motor will work.Thanks again ,pushrodracer
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