Hello, this is my 1st post here so forgive me please. I just purchased a 68 firebird sprint convertible and would like to put a V8 into it insted of the cyl. My question is, what will I have to change in order to put the V8 into it [k-member, fuel lines, mounts, etc..]? Any help would be appreciated. Corey

What are you going to do with the Sprint 6 parts?

I haven't done the Bird swaps of 6's to 8's, although Im in the process of swapping one 8 into another car, etc... But Ive known others who have swapped Mustang 6's for 8's, and Id fathom its probably similiar.

You're likely looking at: suspension parts (heavier springs, etc.), mounts, fuel lines, trans?, driveshaft (might be different length). Plus misc hoses, and some electrical wiring that will probably be slightly different. Perhaps shifting linkages as well? Your differential might need swapping out as well depending on how big a change you're doing.

Hopefully someone here who has done it before can give a little better specific detail, but thats the stuff off the top of my head. If Im wrong on any area, Im sure the gurus will correct me..

btw: If you need a bunch of those V8 parts to make that project happen, let me know as Ive got two donor cars Ill be putting up for sale soon.

Welcome Corey,
It's a very easy swap. As far as getting the V-8 sitting in there all you'll need are the correct engine mounts. The 6 will bolt right up to the trans you have so nothing behind that needs to be changed. It would be a great time to upgrade some things like coil springs and radiator. This picture will help you see the difference in mounts;

I would suggest thinking about this for a while. Sprint 6's are kinda rare and being a convertible - even more so. This is one model I would keep original, if it was me.

Welcome!

Put in the v8, and keep the sprint engine in a cratebox..
-That way you'll keep the ORIGINAL parts safe..

-No need not to fully enjoy your car, because it MIGHT be collectible..

Drive it and build it to enjoy, in my opinion.

Claus is being most generous with his MIGHT be collectible. The only place 6 cylinder cars or thier components is here on this board from a number of people you can count on one hand. In the real world, not this little click, V8 cars are more valueble. It's not my opinion; rather, the market proves this fact time and again.

Got to agree with Amervo on this, but I'd be interested in the Sprint engine complete as I'm changing a standard 6 to a Sprint 6 and need some parts.
I've thought about changing mine to a V8, but I've already got one and would rather have the vert a bit unique, even if it's not as collectable.
Years from now it "might" be worth more with the Sprint, but for now, they're not.

Well I feel that value, is not what it's worth if it's sold...
-It's driving pleasure (not that the sprints aren't fun)..

-What too many people are worried about, is 'how much can I sell it for?'

There is nothing wrong with storing away the collectable engine, and using what is cheaper, and more enjoyable..

-Why would anyone restore a car just to sell it???? -for money! -but I suspect that MNCOREY wants to keep this car for driving..

How many of us in here have our cars just so we can sell them??

-Not me...

-This is ofcause just my 2 cent's and I think a cool idea would be to put in a v8, and restore the sprint, and store it away, untill it 'eventually' is to be sold.

Being one of OHC six guys that can be counted as such, I agree, make the car what you want and keep the original parts.

I have my numbers matching 2 bbl 350 engine and ST300 in the shed - because I'm putting a Sprint 250 and 200-4R into the car so I can have fun! The OHC engine will be a little "warmer" than stock - turbos, intercooler and EFI - and I'll still be able to afford the gas to drive it as often as I want - daily if the weather's nice (convertible as well). As far as resale, I'll bet that my car would fetch a much better price with the 400 hp turbo EFI OHC 6 with 4-speed auto than the stock base V-8 and 2-speed auto! But maybe that's just me! And I'm not building it to sell either.

I also want to get the better handling that will result from using the lighter engine - hey, maybe you already have the best engine package for the times! Which transmission do you have?

i'm with clause on this one! make the car as you wish but keep ALL parts for it as original. you can always change it back to a ohc 6 car if you have the original gear but if you sell it your out ALOT of cash because it becomes just another one of "those" birds who changed over. stash the 6 and build an 8 to put in it and enjoy it all you want!

also in the diagrams, the ohc 6 mounts are on the top. the v-8 mounts are the ones at the bottom. good luck and god bless!

Here's a source for the mounts;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Fire...135109632QQrdZ1

Thanks for your help. As far as selling the parts coming out, I think i'll hang on to them so I can make it original if I ever do sell it [like CLAUSE said, i'm not building it to sell]. As far as the motor goes will the 400 or 455 bolt up fone with the change of mounts? What about the fuel lines, will they bring enough fuel? Any other concerns before I get started? Thanks so much, this is a great site.

As long as you're not building something over 400hp the stock lines will be fine. I have a sprint car w/ a 400 in it. I have changed the front coils, rad, and in the process of disc brakes up front

Mark.

As far as the motor goes will the 400 or 455 bolt up fine with the change of mounts?

Yep, all the V-8's take the same mounts.

Corey, think twice about pulling the Sprint-6 out. These cars are rarer than you think. So many were lost to just the idea you have. If your car is a true Sprint you will be surprised at the performance of these mills. So it's not a V-8.

Vikki (yellowbird) had a '66 LaMans Sprint that kept up with V-8 cars at the Woodward Cruise. My 1bbl OHC does quite a good job of getting around. I get more positive comments on my cammer than I do on my convertible. Do the research for you will be asked over and over again about this wonderful engine. The other thing to consider is the value of the car. Once you pull the original engine the value of the car takes a dive.

If a guy were to sell the car, what do you guys think I could get for it be as rare as i'm being told it is? It runs great and drives but needs restoration.

Rare and high value don't always go together. I have a rare Vega (Cosworth Twin Cam) but I couldn't sell it for the same price that a low mileage Yugo recently was sold for. Go figure!

Right now, any V-8 early Firebird will sell for more than the same car with a six in it, even the impressive OHC six. Market determines the price, not how many or few were produced. I'm not too current on the price range but I'm sure others here are.

If you just bought the car, you have an idea of a fair price. But there is no way to judge condition or value without a full set of very good photos.

Sprints ARE rare. That doesn't mean they currently fetch exceptional pricing. But just because the $$ are not yet there does not make them less worthy.

Some will say yank the Sprint and put in a V8. Others will say keep it stock. It's your car...but I really enjoyed owning and driving my Sprint Le Mans (drove it to Detroit from northern Wisconsin, and all over Michigan) and it got great mileage and attracted a lot of attention because it was different.

That car was too pristine to modify, and I eventually sold it to a collector with no intention of altering it. It had the 2 speed trans, and needed a 3 or 4 speed to perk it up off the line. I couldn't bring myself to modify a 37,000 mile car.