help with '84 firebird engine swap

['84 firebird boy]

I recently bought an '84 firebird t-tops with a 2.8l carb. i really want to put a bigger engine in it to make it perform at least decently. i have a 493 (454 bored out). however, i don't really want to put that in the car. i am going to buy a 350 next week and put that in it. i know i need a new transmission, but what else do i need to buy (parts wise)? also, if anyone could tell me how to do the swap from the 2.8 to the 5.7 step-by-step, i'd appreciate it.

[97cavalier]

lots of work, new wiring harness, suspention,pcm, or ecu. fuel upgrade, and maybe upgrade the rear end.

[driftinggrifter2]

gauge cluster, driveshaft, most likely you will have to do the rear end as well
for proper gearing, radiator and hoses.

['84 firebird boy]

i am getting a carbed 350. i know it would be better to get a fuel injected engine, but i am limited on budget and work time. i figure that a carb-to-carb swap is the easiest way to go. so i won't need the wiring harness, or other electrical stuff, but what else?

[CreepingDeath94]

Well, the fuel injection wiring harness won't be an issue with the carb., but you still have a computer, limited as it may be. If you don't hook the electronics back up, you may pop that check engine light. Correct me if I'm wrong here, I'm not 100% on the computer in pre-'86 cars as I have never owned a bird older than '86.

Aside from that, the motor mounts may be different or located in different spots. You'll have to measure them in relation to the frame and take care of that. Cooling fans are probably different, unless your using a mechanical clutch fan off the engine, the electric fans for the smaller engine may be smaller. Possibly swap out the radiator, not sure if the smaller engine birds in that year used different radiators, but you may want to put a new one in anyway and make sure you get the one for the 350, as drifting said. I'm pretty sure the rear diff. will be able to handle the motor at least temporarily. He can probably wait on that assuming they are different gearing. I take it you're going to run headers...if you do, most of the exhaust will have to be redone and fitted/fabricated. Aside from that, the carbed engine should fit otherwise. No fuel injection means, aside from a possible check engine light, it'll run fine. You may have to run a mechanical pump off the engine and redo the fuel lines/system a little if it was a fuel injected 2.8.

[driftinggrifter2]

If you wait to switch the diff I wouldn't gun it. Wouldn't want to take chances of screwing something up real bad on the road.