Hello, im new to the site here. I do not own a LS1 (yet aleast one day i hope) But I do have a 96 camaro 6 cylinders of hell. I'll be rebuilding the engine this summer with a forged pistons, rods, ported heads, intake, turbo spec cam and so on. All nessissary fuel system and ignition upgrades. I hope to push out some effiecient boost from a Garret t3/t04e 60 trim compressor, .57 a/r turbine. May have to go bigger to make some big power but we will just have to find out. 4l60e will be rebuilt. Maybe if one of you guys would know of a spare rear end laying around with disc brakes, maybe you could help me out I hate drums and i may have a bent axel shaft.

http://www.cardomain.com/id/black96camaro

Don't laugh at the front end is ugly, i had to spray bomb it because a bunch of rocks came off a truck with some sort of paint and made it look worse than it does now. So that will be repainted soon with a base/clear.

The car is completely stock for now, this summer I hope to be ripping it apart.

BTW, I come to the LS1 forums because many of V6 forums are filled immature groupies that have nothing better to do than talk crap about others cars. Some even claim to beat V8's easily all the time when they can bearly pull a 14 second 1/4. Many of them spend a good 2 to 3 thousand $ on there car (mostly rice crap) and it still runs a high 14 second 1/4. So, I try to help them and I get bashed and told "You don't deserve a turbo kit" or "You are a poser with nothing" It must be jealousy.

So i called them ricers, and I got banned.

But forget that, I see what the LS1's potential is, and yea, in the future I for sure will buy one. But right now im just not going to pay $4500/yearly to the insurance company for a V8.

Well, It looks like many of you are already boosted. Perhaps if i run into any brick walls you guys could give me some tips and advice? That would be great!

Well, how many people total on this forum run a S/C or Turbo?

 

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be easier to drop an LS1 in your car tghan a turbo? I bet you could find a wrecked LS1 and pull all the neccessary components out for a lot less than a custom turbo or blower kit would cost you. Your insurance will still be that of a V6, but you got the V8 powa I'm not trying to sway you away from FI, but if insurance costs are a factor, then FI is gonna be way too costly. It's seriosuly an expensive venture. Not to mention the tuning issues you'd have with your computer might be more trouble than it's worth. Get the LS1 in there and then later on when you have the money to spare you can throw on the blower or turbo.

Not trying to shoot your idea down, just a suggestion as FI = big $$$

Mike

 

you can setup a FI setup on one of those cars for under $2000 if you know what your doing, and can do the fabrication yourself.

there is a lot more room to work on a custom turbo setup on a v6 car, vs a LS1 car.

a frined of mine, built shanes' setup on his 1995 firebird 3.8L, very impressive times and a fairly easy setup to copy.

tuning, your right, there is no tuning for a 1996 3.8 as of right now, so thats bad a FMU setup works alright for shane, but im not a fan of them.

Ryan.

 

Magnus is a friend of mine and he did an LS1 conversion on his car, it was maybe $4k for the drivetrain. To put a turbo on your car you might be at the same number, it's up to you. www.firebirdv6.com has a few FI folks.

 

Yes, I did consider a swap, i maybe should of gone that way But then i thought to myself. Well, I want manua with v8. I'd be better off just buying a manual equiped Z28 or Trans Am. Well, I Already stepped half way in the door with FI, since the turbo kit is already bought(2800$) I'v recieved everything it includes except the pipes and intercooler, which are on delay.

As far as tunning goes, yes sadly they don't have the 96 year as an option but... I was told to just swap a 97 Computer along with an LT1 Maf and then it can be tuned, atleast thats what i have have been told by people who asked companies for tunning. I guess 97 does have tunning now!
I got a Vortech FMU, but uhh, I'll have to see how everything works out, but first before the FI journey, i'd like to have the engine machined and rebuilt with a stronger bottom end. And I really want to get rid of this crappy excuse for rear end. Drums, Open Diff, 3.08 gears. I figure if im going to boost a v6, i might as well go all out, if i can reach a 450+ RWTQ mark, i'll be one happy guy. 450 would sure be easier with a v8, but heck, you don't see to many fast V6 camaros. So I thought, damn, since a FI kit is being produced, I might as well take a chance.

After reviewing the ignition system, I believe its strong enough to deliver quite a powerful spark. Not too worried about ignition upgrades, again its tunning that stumps me. I'll have to do some research.

I guess my big problem will be with the fuel system. I can just see the tunning headaches arising. I'm going to have to read alot more on fuel systems. I'm quite limited in that field I feel more comfortable with a wrench. But maybe this guy in my neighborhood can help me out. I just learned he is quite familiar with supras and from what he's said, he has good experience with tunning them.

So what is this costing me? haha, get ready...

I'v spent about 600$ for 3.73 gears, install kit, LSD, 1 piece steal driveshaft, shocks, poly bushing boxed control arms, full 3" exhaust system, tubular manifolds (custom Y pipe will have to wait.) None of this is on my car.

420$ for another engine/transmission with 50k miles. (sitting in garage)

$2600 for turbo kit. Everything needed for a stock v6 f-body. (sitting in room)

Hybrid to4e/t3 turbo internally wastegated at around 7 psi.
Spearco Intercooler
Bosch Blow off Valve
Vortech FMU
MSD High pressure inline pump
Manual Boost Controller
All piping needed
Silicone connectors
Autometer Boost Gauge
Required lines, fittings, clamps, etc.

So the above all came to about $3600

Car still remains stock, except for thoughs flashy blockouts that give me 20 extra hosrpower on the freeway. (yes im crazy)

Now im looking at a used rear end with disc brakes for about $200
97 Computer, LT1 Maf, Higher flowing Injectors $200-$300

Engine Rebuild Cleaned/honed/machined crankshaft $400 (quoted at local shop)
Forged pistons $650 6 w/ pins and rings
L32 Rods $250 for 6
Turbo Spec Camshaft - $300
Ported heads with new valves/springs/retainers/rockerarms $600 (not bad www.supersixmotorsports.com)
Match the intake with to heads
New Bearings/ARP Bolts/Studs/Gaskets

Should run me about $3000 for parts and labor for engine. (not too shabby)

Oh yea, and tunning. $$$$

So by the time im done. Im guessing about 10 thousand will be dropped all together. Luckly, I can install the rear end myself.

Is it worth it? Probably not to many people. But a LS1 Z28 or SS thats hardly been drivin can go for $15000 to $25,000 easily. My car car was $6000. So I look at like, new parts, strong rebuilt engine, prayer for the transmission, dime a dozen rear end YAY! And I for sure will be making more power than the stock LS1 and maybe even a good chance to pass the LS6.

Well, guys, if ya guys happen to run across anything else that may assist me, please let me know I'd appreciate it greatly.

About the 4l60e transmissions, who does a good job with making these strong enough to handle a good 500+ pounds of torque? I do not plan on doing hard launches at the track with slicks and a high stall. So thats a plus in keeping my transmission healthy I guess. I mainly will be looking big accelleration after the launch. I rather not try to pull of a 1.5 60 foot

So yea, people can call me stupid I guess for setting up a project like this, but atleast im not doing this to a hyundai or kia.

 

Just try and see if you can find a way to adjust your timing. When you say a 97 computer, are you referring to a 97 3.8 or 5.7 computer? Going to an LT1 computer should be an interesting exercise. Do you know what compression the 3.8 comes with stock? Might want to think about lowering that with either pistons or heads(if such a thing is made). But pistons can definitely get the job done. You might be able to run stock timing if you properly adjust your compression ratio. 8.5 - 9.5:1 is preferrable. Be sure to factor this in when building up your lower end.

Mike

 

97 3800 computer, from what iv heard it will work, flash and program. but again, it could be a rumor.

The rebuild will include a 8.5:1 compression ratio, for sure. Diamond Racing makes them for a good price, I will be going with the uncoated pistons. I was told coated pistons were mainly for use with nitrous. Which I have no plans to ever use spray.

 

Oh yea, there is a a big demand and growing in the aftermarket of the L36 N/A and L67 S/C and now new engine L32.

Bottom end is totally swapable with all 3 of these, valvetrain is mostly also.
Intakes and heads are different due to the L36 being N/A, the L32 and L67 have a roots blower. Something that is not an option for me, unless i do some major cosmetics. (FWD 3800 intake is reversed on RWD 3800 intake. Also starter and coils are mounted reversed i think.)

But internals are same whether its a FWD L36 or RWD L36 engine.

They all use the same crankshaft.
Already 2 companies I know if sell machined heads/intakes. They sell Blower, N/A and Turbo spec cams. High strength push rods, titanium valves, retainers, an assortment of springs. Rocker arm kits up to a 1.9 ratio. 3 sites advertise forged pistons.

I havent seen much about forged connecting rods, but im assuming its because the stock L32 connecting rods have been recorded on a L67 engine with 700+ horsepower by www.intense-racing.com. ScottC told me they seemed to have no problems yet. (3 weeks ago when he emailed me.)

So I mean, the parts are all available, the thing is, V6 fbody's arnt the focus of these companies. The grand prix GT and GTP are the main focus's for thoughs sites, but since we share the same block, it all works out pretty good

 

HP Tuners is coming out with 96-02 3.8 tuning software, that will include your car. It's $499 and it includes a very good datalogger.

I would just use your stock engine for now, it's in the 9:1 range and I would build another engine on the side.

Frankly take the money you were putting towards the shortblock and apply it towards a good fuel system.

 

Thanks a bunch john, that is awsome!

Oh yea, bottom end will diffinately get some good beefy parts. Fuel system is going to be something I will have to change if im going to make efficent power. But for now, im hoping the junkyard will sell me this rear off a 01 trans am. They are being a bit greedy

 

I would steer towards 42lb injectors or more if you plan to make big power.

A bigger 340lph intank might get you there, but a voltage blaster to boot should support over 500rwhp maybe up to 600rwhp?

I think a stock L36 3.8'er is 9:1 or so, so you can boost it up. Several folks on www.firebirdv6.com are running low 12's, and could go 11's if they did more R&D into their total combination. I believe that Shane is turbocharged and he posted going 12.5's right now. Tiago on our board is a great guy to use from what I hear he's going very fast and he's a V6 expert.