Heart Transplant Ideas...

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Mar 27, 2013 | 11:46 PM

Halloran

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From: Carson City, NV

Heart Transplant Ideas...

I don't know if any of you guys out there have gone this route or not to save some money but I am curious as to just how many people have just tried to track down a rolling chassis F-body without the valvetrain just so you can build up your own 408/441/454 etc. It's been about 5 years since my last WS6 N/A build and now I am back in the market for something new and improved. Any suggestions or advice is always appreciated!

Mar 28, 2013 | 01:12 AM

mark21742

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Craigslist, eBay, your local paper and right here in the classifieds....hard times out there are making it a pretty good buyers market with a lot of people strapped for cash. Just keep looking for a while and take your time.

I love my 408 and the sound it makes at 8,000 rpms

Mar 28, 2013 | 08:23 AM

WS.666

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I found a '94 V6 on Craigslist for $500. Car ran fine, but all I needed was the body, so I stripped the car and sold everything (engine, trans, exhaust, interior) for almost $1000.

I've seen V8 rollers on here (classifieds) for between $1000 and $2500.

Mar 28, 2013 | 08:35 AM

mark21742

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Try to get one that originally had a v8. That makes putting another v8 in easier because there are several small differences between the 6 and 8 cars

Mar 29, 2013 | 03:35 AM

Halloran

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From: Carson City, NV

Well I am just sure glad I am not the only one that has considered this route. I think going the v8 chassis would be better as the electrical harness, overall bay size etc would match up more closely. I just figured it to be a waste to buy a fully loaded f body with an ls1 for 8-10k when I could possibly snag a frame, chassis, electrical etc for super cheap then go on a spending spree on TSP's website

Are there any known issues with going pre-98 like something that had or has an lt1 and dropping in a new 408 crate or should I just be lookin specifically for a 98-02?

Thanks again!

Mar 29, 2013 | 05:22 AM

mark21742

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You also have the option of buying a truck harness/ ecu and cutting it down to a standalone...that way you could drop an engine/tranny of your choice down in any body you prefer.

Pcms4less has ecus for $99 and www.lt1swap.com has all the pinouts and step by step instructions on how to rewire a stock harness to make it a clean standalone.

For the computer/harness, or if you want to run the cars computer/ harness is look for a 99-04 because of tunability for the ecu. Or 99-02 f-body

Mar 30, 2013 | 12:42 AM

Halloran

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Thanks for the information Mark! I guess I'll try to track down another '99 WS6 but this time one without the valvetrain. I got a couple local guys here that are decent with tuning with HP Tuners which is a bonus. It's time to be rid of my current 6.1L 300c daily driver slug and get back to some actual performance and unbridled GM horsepower.