500 into Camaro

[KY Jim]

Hey, how y'all doin'? My question is, what will I have to do to install a 500 Cad mill into an 87 Camaro? I saved the big mill and it's Turbo 400 from the Crusher. Not a GM fan at all, but NOT letting a 500 be converted to ricer parts, and don't like to see it sit there and rot. And I believe that a Cad-powered Camaro might be interesting. I KNOW that there is another lunatic out there somewhere like me, who has done this. Have torch, will cut, if neccessary. Any suggestions much appreciated.
KY Jim

[CadillacPat]

KY Jim,
We ALL thank you for saving ANY 472 or 500 from being used as foundry metal for more ricers!

[Big-Daddy]

Jim-
I cant believe nobody has offered up any help on this yet.
I'll take a shot based on my knowledge of swaping this engine into a GM A-body, also I'v owned a couple 3rd gen camaros.

First off, contact the owner of Diamond auto service and salvage located in New Washington Indiana. It's about 20 miles north of Louisville. I *think* his name is Tony. He just finished swaping a 454 into a late 80's Camaro, and it is an extremely clean and professional looking swap. If nothing else, he could give you some pointers about BB weight and clearance issues that you may find usefull in your swap.

Also, check out the post right here in engine tech about swaping a cad into a Chevelle. Click on the link about the Monte Carlo. There's a picture and good explination about how to use some plate steel and a set of SBC motor mounts to put the cad into his car. The frame engine valley has the same geometry as the Monte, as both were designed to hold a SBC, so you can use the same setup as him.
I used Cad Company's motor mount kit, and was pleased with it. MTS also sells a kit, which I'm sure is excellent,,, but to be honest with you, both kits are about $100 shipped. Why spend that if you can do the same thing with a $20 set of SBC mounts, $10 worth of steel, and a couple hours worth of your time??????

On my swap, I used a forward engine wiring harness from a Buick Skylark 350 because all the electrical and sensor connections are in the same place as a cad motor. The harness pluged right in without any modifications. I know GM used 231 V6's in the camaro, and the 231 is basically a buick 350 missing 2 cylinders. The V6 harness might be a little short, but it will be much closer than a Chevy harness.

Depending on what tranny is in the camaro now, you have a couple options. The 2nd gen camaro uses a torque strut bar that physically connects the tranny to the rear-end. It's an integral component of the rear suspension, and you cant just remove it and expect it to work.
If you have the 200R4 tranny now, it's most likely a uni-bolt pattern and it will physically bolt to the Cad motor. No, it wont handle the massive torque in it's stock form, and needs to be power-built. If you must install the T-400, you will need to have the drive-shaft re-sized and have a strut brace welded to the rear end to replace the torque strut bar. I'v seen these for sale in Camaro magazines.

Like I said, I'v never done this swap, just sharing what knowledge I have.
I hope you find some of this helpfull.

[KY Jim]

Thanks,fellers. The wife has another 87 that she had when we met, it has a 305 and 5-speed, and is fairly peppy. I just keep thinking about a REAL engine in that light little body.Kinda like imagining Jessica Simpson undressed, only better.
KY Jim

[Ted in Olympia WA]

As far as I know if you do this swap you will be the first. It has been talked about before but I have not seen any one do it yet.
TED

[KY Jim]

Must be a reason for it. I better break out the tape measure.
KY Jim

[cadipacer]

KY JIM,.,, I dont have a GM body,, but installed a 500 in a AMC Pacer,, with the hood shut and a metal air breather with ram-air ,, so go with your project I'm sure you have more room than I did.. also I'm in Louisville KY.

[Ted in Olympia WA]

I did not mean not to do it I was just telling you why you did not get any replies. I think it would be great and I know they put BB chevs in these so a Cad should fit.
TED

[KY Jim]

I figgered as much, and I have a torch and a grinder. Thanks, guys. 8)

[nappydawg]

i would like to stuff a 500 in my 89 rs. does anyone have any websites or anything where i can look for info. thanks alot

[cadiac]

I'd like to drop a non foundry candidate on the roof of a ricer.

[thirdgencaddy]

Ky Jim- im also doing a 472 swap into a third gen camaro. so far i have found that u only need an engine swap kit, a turbo 400 conversion kit from jegs or year one, and to convert the oil pan to rear sump. im doing my swap in the next couple of weeks so ill keep you guysd posted ive included a pic of the camaro im putting the motor in... i saved it from the crusher too...

[caddy camaro]

hi,i have a 500 in my 88 camaro.wasnt too bad to install.i used 2 flat pieces of steel for my motor mounts.the steering is a little close to the exhaust.put a cowl hood on for clearance.using a 350 trans.