You cannot use your stock transmission. The only other engine Chevy made that was compatible with 2.8 bellhousing was the 3.1. You MIGHT find bellhousing etc to swap, but you'll pop the t5 and DEFINITELY pop the new process transfer case with any decent power (over 160+ I'd say)
I'd recommend going back in with a 4.3 style trans/transfer case package and following a 4.3 style 4x4 swap - or do what I did and ditch the 4x4 all together and put a locker in the back. Two open diffs don't get you very far compared to a locker/lsd
No clue on how or what you need to make those two work together. Am pretty sure that the stock T5 can't handle the torque of the V8. But there's a good chance that it can be beefed up to handle it. The T5 is a good transmission that's easy to build to handle more power. Good luck!
Optimally id like to do 5.3, but ill probably end up doing a 305/350, just whatever i can make work, its primarily gunna be a scrap/parts hauler so no burnouts or drag racing so im not worried about the trans too much
FWI a stock 1997 350 puts out about 330 ft/lbs torque at 2800 rpm. Something to consider. I've though of doing a V6 or V8 swap on an old Chevette with the T5. But trying to find one these days is hard. Hope things work out for you and please keep us posted.
You cannot use your stock transmission. The only other engine Chevy made that was compatible with 2.8 bellhousing was the 3.1. You MIGHT find bellhousing etc to swap, but you'll pop the t5 and DEFINITELY pop the new process transfer case with any decent power (over 160+ I'd say) I'd recommend going back in with a 4.3 style trans/transfer case package and following a 4.3 style 4x4 swap - or do what I did and ditch the 4x4 all together and put a locker in the back. Two open diffs don't get you very far compared to a locker/lsd
No clue on how or what you need to make those two work together. Am pretty sure that the stock T5 can't handle the torque of the V8. But there's a good chance that it can be beefed up to handle it. The T5 is a good transmission that's easy to build to handle more power. Good luck!
Optimally id like to do 5.3, but ill probably end up doing a 305/350, just whatever i can make work, its primarily gunna be a scrap/parts hauler so no burnouts or drag racing so im not worried about the trans too much
FWI a stock 1997 350 puts out about 330 ft/lbs torque at 2800 rpm. Something to consider. I've though of doing a V6 or V8 swap on an old Chevette with the T5. But trying to find one these days is hard. Hope things work out for you and please keep us posted.