anybody do a V8 swap in an RS camaro?? 1998 to be exact, the engine is missing the body is straight, no rust, immaculate interior guy wants 500 obo so may throw an LS1 in there or part out. Im looking for a write up or info from someone who has done it before. posted on ls1.com but not much help there figured id try here, more people lol

 

Body is the same so it all will fit. A few here have done it, might want to do a advanced search.

You'll want shocks/springs out of V8, k-member,trans,motor,PCM and wiring, rear end (unless you want 1 tire fire). Pretty much everything out of a V8 car, your best bet is finding a wrecked V8 fbody, it will not be cheap otherwise.

 

I'm thinking of doing this same swap Ive found a v6 car with a bad motor in it. The only thing ive found a good 5.3L ill probably snag since its so cheap. Should this all be just plug and play? The 5.3L comes with harness and computer.

 

List of all the parts you will need right here i did it on an lt1 but dont know about ls1 but most likely similar

-your going to need engine and transmission complete with accessories. if you want i can recommend a place and they do ship.

-k member

- spring. struts and shocks dont need to be change though it would be a good idea.

-fuel pump on the lt1 you have to change the lines as well becuase of the location on the 3.4 and lt1. so you may need new engine bay fuel lines.

-gauge cluster.

-body wiring harness and engine wiring harness. though if you buy it from the place i recommend they come with the engine wiring harness.

-lt1s had different heater core lines then the v6s had so they had to be changed probably will be the same on the ls1

-pcm

- rear axle. though you could rebuild and yours and get a posi unit for it and change the gears though it ill be more costly you will have a like new rear.

-you will also need an exhaust for it

-radiator and fans

here is a good site
http://www.tacreationsusa.com/3_4_3_8_v6_to_ls1.htm

 

If its a true RS, you don't need suspension parts from a v8 donor car.
These cars shared the same suspension as ls1s.

 

you would still need springs.
.
oh and i left out the drive shaft

 

I've done it and i found it to be a big pain in the rear and wont do it again. right now im down to needing the wiring under the nose and it should all work

 

I've swapped a '98 and it was a cakewalk..my '95 was more complicated.

 

eh, not really, Driveshaft is the same. The springs? LS1's only weigh 60lbs more than the 3.8L motor. It won't sag and it's been done on stock V6 springs without problems before as well.

If you go with an Iron block however, you might be adding over 100lbs weight difference so yea springs would be a good idea.

 

Get some aftermarket springs..

Negative, big difference in a V6 vs. V8 Driveshaft. The V6's are two piece.

 

3.4 driveshafts are 2 pc. The 3.8s are a 1 pc just like the LS1. hes doing a 98

 

No sir..

I just pulled a 2 piece out of a 98 3.8l last week.

 

Only some of them received the 2 piece, Mine is a 1 piece. My 97 RS had a 2 piece. I think they all went to 1 piece standard by 99...