onspeed

iTrader: (3)

Suppose I had a '98 5 speed v6 camaro with a spun rod bearing and I wanted a v8. Would it be cheaper to buy a new motor (~500-600) and sell the car (~3000, on a good day) or buy swap to a t56/lq series?

It seems to be like if I were to sell with a new v6, i'd get a net gain of around 2500, and a decent ls f-body is going to be 6000 at least. So I'd have to fish out 3500.

Would a t56 + lq engine + other needed components like AC, radiator, rear end (i think? i'm guessing the open diff will get destroyed, fast.), PCM, v8 kmember, etc. cost more or less than 3500?

I'd be doing all the work myself.

chevyboy91188

iTrader: (15)

I'm doing a 5.3 4l60e conversion in my 98 ill sell it to you when I'm done if you want lol it'll have 95k on the clock with a nice red and black 2 tone mint interior for 3500 and you can save some money lol full ss suspension including the 3.42 posi rear from the ss. 2000 ss car I got everything but the motor and shell

Ellsworth

Depends what kind of build you want..

it would probably cost just as much to just buy a higher mileage trans am/camaro

as apposed to buying an ls1 and transmission, kmember, wiring harness (98's are fauked up too for wiring) rear-end.. added suspension for the added weight.. etc.

but if you plan on building a built motor H/C etc.. it would save you some money to just swap it into your car you have now. depends if you want the car to be what exactly YOU want.

I would of probably of bought a T/A, instead of doing an LS1 swap in my 98' firebird if I could re-do everything again.. but I had a sentimental value to my car etc.

hope this helps, sir.

71ANTICARB

iTrader: (23)

Might not be bad if found a v8 camaro trot a swap car ie something crashed. Then you could sell the stuff you don't need to recoup some of the investment. I don't see buying the individual stuff coming out much ahead.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

if you find a wrecked car would be the only way to even consider it IMO

otherwise sell what you have and put money towards a v8 car

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Id replace the V6 and sell it. A swap will never be cost effective to buying a preconverted or original V8 car. Besides, LS1 cars are popping up frequently on this board for $4000 and under road ready

chevyboy91188

iTrader: (15)

I'm only going to have $2k or less in my swap got the car for $440 ss parts for 500 total for literally everything down to the fuel lines, but engine and accessories and harness. 400 for the 5.3l 75 for a radiator 100 for an intake 200 for harness and computer and some extra for some exhaust and misc parts

bczee

iTrader: (12)

Then little thing have a way of adding up..... and add on the countless hours chasing parts and the labor to buy, pickup, clean and install.. it is just easier to by one.

But if your into doing. Then it is worth it.

chevyboy91188

iTrader: (15)

If I hadn't fallen upon the deal of deals I got between the car and parts I would never do one lol my $440 car minus the wheels, it still looks the same only stock wheels

Datankid069

iTrader: (15)

I say go for it bro. You are definitley going to have to finagle, trade, wheel and deal to keep the cost down, but at the end of it all listening to that stock v8 with a nice cam is gonna be well worth it. Im in the same boat. I haven't even finished my first build and I'm pulling the v6 on my next one. I just picked up a 98 RS I have some plans for. Just think about how sad it would be to see another f-body going to scrap.

Datankid069

iTrader: (15)

Thanks for telling me this thread was dead guys, ahahaha! I guess I'm just over excited to get mine started.