v6 to v8 swap
#1
v6 to v8 swap
Hey yall im new to everything having to do with cars, moding and fixing it or what not but i have been trying to fix my own car up and I just bought a 2002 3.8L V6 Firebird completely stock but I want to put an ls1 engine inside of it. I want to know or get some advice on how to go about that, any threads or complete v8 kits or salvage/junkyards that have the camaro/firebird. i have been to 6 junkyards and called about 5 more and still no luck on my v8 search. i live in houston texas and driving out of state wouldnt be a problem (although i would like not to) if anyone could please help me out im a 19 year old with absolutely no expirience in mechanics whatsoever so please try and speak in simple terms so i can have a better understanding on what I need to get done and how much it will cost. please and thank you cant wait to start on my project!!!
#2
TECH Senior Member
While it might not seems like it because these cars came with both engines, this swap is NOT for someone with 0 experience, its not something you just throw in and go. Not only will you need the engine and computer, you will need the transmission and K-member at the very least. There have been write ups on this if you search, but you will end up spending more money on this swap than just buying a LS1 fbody in the first place, especially if you have a shop do it.
Seriously just save your money, buy a nice example of an LS1 car and be done with it, you will not regret it compared to trying to do an engine swap.
Seriously just save your money, buy a nice example of an LS1 car and be done with it, you will not regret it compared to trying to do an engine swap.
#3
While it might not seems like it because these cars came with both engines, this swap is NOT for someone with 0 experience, its not something you just throw in and go. Not only will you need the engine and computer, you will need the transmission and K-member at the very least. There have been write ups on this if you search, but you will end up spending more money on this swap than just buying a LS1 fbody in the first place, especially if you have a shop do it.
Seriously just save your money, buy a nice example of an LS1 car and be done with it, you will not regret it compared to trying to do an engine swap.
Seriously just save your money, buy a nice example of an LS1 car and be done with it, you will not regret it compared to trying to do an engine swap.
#4
TECH Resident
Get a wrecked donor car. If your friend is all that experienced he should know where in the Houston Austin, San Antonio area to source the parts. Should be lotsa wrecks in Houston, the way those idiots drive....
#5
11 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
$15,000 budget will buy you a mint condition low mileage LS car of your choice: WS6, Formula, SS, Z/28...hell $11,000 will get you in the range of the cleanest of the clean.
Doing a swap makes less than zero sense. You will have a car you've spent twice as much on that's still worth as much as a v6 if it gets wrecked or you need to sell and you will have a higher likelihood of problems related to having swapped instead of just getting a factory car.
That said if you are just dead set on going about it backwards I have a friend with a z/28 LS1/6 speed car you could buy for $4000 or less and then you would have all the parts you need. It's a running driving car, body is just in rough shape.
Doing a swap makes less than zero sense. You will have a car you've spent twice as much on that's still worth as much as a v6 if it gets wrecked or you need to sell and you will have a higher likelihood of problems related to having swapped instead of just getting a factory car.
That said if you are just dead set on going about it backwards I have a friend with a z/28 LS1/6 speed car you could buy for $4000 or less and then you would have all the parts you need. It's a running driving car, body is just in rough shape.
#6
$15,000????????????
You could buy a 28,000 mile WS6 or SS for less than that, in car museum condition. And probably still have enough money left over for long-tube headers and an airlid. lol
(Both add HP and torque, more air in more air out.)
You could buy a 28,000 mile WS6 or SS for less than that, in car museum condition. And probably still have enough money left over for long-tube headers and an airlid. lol
(Both add HP and torque, more air in more air out.)
#7
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Your best bet is a junkyard donor v8 model, better if it still has engine and trans still in it but not necessary if you hit up craigslist or ebay for a direct pullout engine. That way you are just doing a swap over, otherwise you are going to nickle and dime yourself to death every time you have to stop and order a replacement part which is going to add a lot of time to your build.