82 Camaro 2.8L to 3.4L Swap Information

[OdieTurbo]

Hi everybody! I've been lurking around this site and Thirdgen.org looking to find some information on swapping my 2.8L V6 up to a 3.4L V6 in my 1982 Camaro. I also wish to change the TH200 over to a T10 4-Speed or a T5 5-Speed. I have found a lot of information regarding a fuel injected setup, but I wish to stay with a carburetor. I also plan on ditching the AIR system and computer controls as they are caveman technology at best.

The car will remain mostly stock, no racing. I plan on driving it on nice days only.


Here are the questions I have:
1) 3.4L GM Performance Crate or used 3.4L? Besides the obvious warranty & new parts, is there a performance difference?

2) Carb & Intake? I have seen mention of a Holley 390CFM and an Edelbrock 2pc manifold. Are these the best bet for performance or are there other options?

3) Cam upgrade? What should I look for in a cam? How about rockers?

4) Ignition? Since I am ditching the computer, I assume I should switch to a non-ecm distributor. I believe these are available on S-10s of similar vintage. How about aftermarket?

5) Anything else? What else can I do to get the most out of a 3.4L V6?

I look forward to hearing from you guys/gals!

[geoffinbc]

Well you 82 is carb'd correct? If you have the cash on hand get the crate. It already has a great cam and will be a direct bolt in. The only thing I would change if it were me would be installing a set of 1.6 Magnum rockers from COMP. They are about $150 for the set and are roller tip. You simply can't go wrong.

If your picky and wish to build an engine like me and make some cheep yet effective upgrades then find a core and have it rebuilt. There are things like casting flash, valve seals, gasket matching and bowl blending which are all things that will make for a better performing motor but aren't necessarily essential.

You can bolt on your stock carb and intake if you want. I don't believe there is all that much improvement in using an Edelbrock manifold versus the stock one. But the stock carb can be replaced with better units and the intake can be machined to match the new carb's throttle bores to improve flow. Gasket match the intake runners to the heads and your all set.

The stock HEI distributor you have works fine. Maybe consider a refurbished one to get the new bushings and new gear and a re curve with lighter springs to bring in full advance a little sooner.

[ex-x-fire]

I think the 3.4s have no mech. fuel pump mounting, so you'd have to run an electric pump. I had an 84 that I switched over to non computer controlled, I used a distributor from a 82 s10(non cali.), your carb is of little use as its ecm controlled, so you can get an eldelbrock intake(I found mine at a swap meet), you could even go w/ a 450-500 cfm carb too, depending on your rear axle ratio(3.73s work great w/ T-5s). They say the hood clearence is tight, but w/ todays selection of filters I think it'll be alittle problem.
You could go w/ a total tbi set-up from an S10 2.8l, last time I went to the junkyard there were a dozen of those untouched. Get a 4.3-5.7L t body (for more cfm). That would be a cheap build.

[geoffinbc]

I don't think any carb in 82 has a computer controlled mixing solenoid. 84 and 85 would have.

[ex-x-fire]

Cars from 81 up have computer controlled carbs, trucks got CCCs around 84. Earlier in California. If it has an O2 senser then it has to have a m/c solenoid so the ecm can have control(usually out of control) of the air/fuel mixture. It also depends if the car was sold in the States or not.

[robertisaar]

i can confirm the 82 camaro 2.8 as having a mixture solenoid. should be a Rochester E2SE carb.