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Turbo v6 camaro?

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Old Apr 8, 2009 | 10:13 PM
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Default Turbo v6 camaro?

I have a 95 v6 camaro and i had intentions on swapping an ls1 into it but im only 17 and its kind of hard to find a cheap ls1 and a nice shop to work in to do this swap, so instead i was contemplating just turbocharging the 6, anyone have a turbo setup suggestion thats somewhat friendly on the wallet and possibly i could install myself
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 10:56 AM
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The 6 is not worth upgrading, get a job, save up, sell your V6, and pick up a '98 Z28 or T/A that already comes V8. You save yourself a lot of time, money, and effort if you buy a V8 F-body rather than converting a V6 to a V8. Remeber it's not just the motor, MANY THINGS HAVE TO BE CHANGED. You can pick up a used V8 LS1 for very good prices nowadays. A few weeks ago, I saw a '98 red Z28 with 117K asking price was $5,900 car was in excellent condition with a clean and clear title.
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 11:05 AM
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I would have said it a bit nicer then omore but I do feel as though he is right. lol - even an LT1 z28 would be a nice choice.
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 05:30 PM
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Trust me, from personal experience (read sig), save for a v8 swap or trade for a v8 car. Don't do it unless you're looking (and can afford) to do something different.
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 05:38 PM
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I say save for the LS1, you can make 550+rwhp with a cam and nitrous pretty cheap. But if you really want to do the turbo v6 thing there try PMing Tiago, I think I read about him doing some turbo v6 stuff.
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by nuclearxp
Trust me, from personal experience (read sig), save for a v8 swap or trade for a v8 car. Don't do it unless you're looking (and can afford) to do something different.
Agreed. I actually thought of doing a turbo 3.8 in my car...went as far as buying oversized valves/springs/reatiners,different heads,etc to get started on it....then fell into a killer deal on a lq4, then....the addiction hit.

Bottom line...yes, you could do like many folks have done to the 3.8 cars....build a set of log headers and the hot piping, fab in an intercooler, change injectors, get HP Tuners to tune with, upgrade the fuel system, run 10lbs boost, and have a car that might do roughly 12 in the 1/4.

For the amount of money spent, go with the LS-based setup. Hell, a stock 5.3 swap should be pretty cheap and a hell of a lot more fun IMHO than the 3.8. If your car is one of the unfortunate 3.4 cars, then a v8 swap is not even a question....just do it
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 06:47 PM
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yeah my camaro is a 3.4
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Old Apr 9, 2009 | 07:18 PM
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Unless you have a strong sentimental attachment to the car, I would recommend trading it for a V8 car. The turbo setup is probably not worth it, and the V8 swap is probably not worth the hassle when you can just trade for a V8 car.
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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 03:25 AM
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You can make a V6 fast if you want to. I helped a guy put less then $3000 into his V6 and can run constant 7.9's in the 1/8 mile with the only upgrade to the motor being valve springs

for hte 3.4 you can do a top end swap and add some good HP to it. check out the V6 board, the only answer your going to find here is to buy a V8

and yes tiago is the guy to talk to if you want a Kit

you can easy put this motor up to 400-450 RWHP without taking off the valve covers, sometimes you have to upgrade the valve springs if they are wore out but that's it (3.8)
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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 01:28 PM
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These guys are all correct when saying just save your time/money and buying a V8 equipped car. I know the tendency to believe you can do it on the cheap by buying a 6 cylinder and swapping the motor is strong. The best way to understand the reality is put it all in an excel spreadsheet and add it all up. Give your 'labor' an hourly rate and be realistic. Whatever time you instinctively think it will take you to do a given task, double it, then triple that. You're far more likely to be close to that time than your instinctive guess. Remember, You'll be doing this for the first time. There would be all kinds of evaluations and bad assumptions on your part since you won't have a history/background of doing this. I put a turbo on my LT1 and I'm immensely happy with it. But just search for my user ID to see all the trials and tribulations I had with getting it running right. It was not easy nor cheap. I'm happy with the end result but it would be lying to say I'd recommend it to anyone else because it's a no brainer. It takes immense patience, a fair sized financial commitment, being on a first name basis with Jegs/Summit and a second car (for the 1,000 trips to autozone) not to mention all the hours you'll spend on it. If it's a labor of love, like it was for my car, then go for it. But if your goal is to have a relatively frustration free fun ride, just save every extra dime you can, work a 2nd job, work overtime, etc until you have the cash to get the V8.
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Old Apr 10, 2009 | 07:59 PM
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yeah people are saying to trade mine for an 8cyl camaro but im sure id either have to have work done to the car or add a good handful of cash
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 09:45 AM
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i would personally sell it and buy an LS1 car to begin with. Its cheaper and easier for most than doing the swap.


That being said a turbo V6 can make good power and be different. Plenty of room up front for a turbo.

Ever hear of a Grand National
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 12:40 PM
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Buy LS1 and get a life.
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 01:13 PM
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buy an ls1 and get a turbo
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Denali08
Buy LS1 and get a life.
Not a cool way to give out advice, so take a chill pill newbie.

Turbo V6 Camaro, you also gotta realize he has a 3.4, a whole different animal than the 3.8 like yours and the one I used to own. The last time I checked camarov6.com, there were only a very few 3.4s that hit 13s with force induction. He will probably come off the same amount of money you did just to hit 13s or even 14s. It's not worth it on a 3.4 IMO.
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by shortdog
Not a cool way to give out advice, so take a chill pill newbie.
Relax and enjoy life.
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by shortdog
Not a cool way to give out advice, so take a chill pill newbie.

Turbo V6 Camaro, you also gotta realize he has a 3.4, a whole different animal than the 3.8 like yours and the one I used to own. The last time I checked camarov6.com, there were only a very few 3.4s that hit 13s with force induction. He will probably come off the same amount of money you did just to hit 13s or even 14s. It's not worth it on a 3.4 IMO.
the 3.4 can swap in the 3500 AL heads and intake......... there are some guys that have some sick 3.4 cars

the stock 3500 heads nearly flow better the 3.8 race ported heads

and fullthrottelv6.com is the new V6 hot spot

I would rather start with the 3.8 but the 3.4 has options now can't wait for the track to open so they can get some numbers; the low 13's should fall to mid 11's this year
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Denali08
Buy LS1 and get a life.




LOL
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Old Apr 11, 2009 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by nuckifuts
i would personally sell it and buy an LS1 car to begin with. Its cheaper and easier for most than doing the swap.


That being said a turbo V6 can make good power and be different. Plenty of room up front for a turbo.

Ever hear of a Grand National
Yeah i love the buick GNs man theyre badass
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Old Apr 13, 2009 | 01:09 PM
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if you like the car and just want to mod it for fun id say do it. if you want to be fast id do the swap. it also depends how much you already cash you have wraped up in the car.
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