LT1 V8 to V6 swap
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
LT1 V8 to V6 swap yes, I know most people are going the other direction, but the V8 in my sons 95 firebird is beyond its useful life and we located a low mileage 96 V6 from a Camaro with engine, trans, AC, radiator, fans, ign coils, Ign control module, etc.
Not sure if the computer comes with it or not.
Is the computer different for a V6, or would the 95 V8 computer work with the right tune?
what else needs to be changed if we decide to go this route?
Not sure if the computer comes with it or not.
Is the computer different for a V6, or would the 95 V8 computer work with the right tune?
what else needs to be changed if we decide to go this route?
It would most likely cost you the same, if not less to throw rings/bearings/hone/valves and guides into your original engine than it would be to try and find all the parts necessary along with the time to do the conversion. Odds are the cylinders would only need a light hone and you could reuse the pistons and very likely the crank. Besides, if you live in an emissions conscience area the car will fail without the factory engine.
yes, I know most people are going the other direction, but the V8 in my sons 95 firebird is beyond its useful life and we located a low mileage 96 V6 from a Camaro with engine, trans, AC, radiator, fans, ign coils, Ign control module, etc.
Not sure if the computer comes with it or not.
Is the computer different for a V6, or would the 95 V8 computer work with the right tune?
what else needs to be changed if we decide to go this route?
Not sure if the computer comes with it or not.
Is the computer different for a V6, or would the 95 V8 computer work with the right tune?
what else needs to be changed if we decide to go this route?
The K-Member
The transmission
The fuel pump
The computer
The Gauge cluster
Even the fuel lines would need to be changed as the V6 cars have a return line and the V8 cars do not.
You will even still have to pay for the insurance of a V8 car with a V6 inside of it.
- you may get away with keeping the suspension.. but you would be much better off finding a used LT1, do an LS1 swap, or rebuilding the LT1. You will waste ALOT of money trying to go back to the 3.8.
If you want a cheaper alternative this badly you would be MUCH better off just selling the car for parts and buying a fully functional running 3.8 V6 car.
Do not, I repeat..do NOT attempt this swap, it will cost you BIG.
If this was going to a car that already had a V6 in it, then you would have found gold, but the 95 3.8's are the least desired of them all. They have horrible exhaust manifolds, prone to misfires and in comparison to the later years are just not really optimised. Avoid this at all costs.
Last edited by Need4Camaro; Aug 2, 2017 at 11:36 AM.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
OP
sounds like you and your son can pull the motor yourself from the bird....just tear that motor down and have a machine shop hone cyl, polish crank & resize stock rods. re-ring pistons and new bearings
This path is WAY les resistance than doing the v6 conversion and cheaper
sounds like you and your son can pull the motor yourself from the bird....just tear that motor down and have a machine shop hone cyl, polish crank & resize stock rods. re-ring pistons and new bearings
This path is WAY les resistance than doing the v6 conversion and cheaper
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I paid $400 for my craigslist (estimated 100k mile) LT1 and it's seen 15,000 miles and about 200 track passes. Shouldn't be hard to find a used lt1 and just swap that in, and save the rest of the budget for brake and suspension upgrades to make it safer for him, or performance parts and disregard safety.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 853
Likes: 32
From: Kernersville, NC
95 Computer is OBDI and the 96 v6 computer is OBDII, will not work.
You will need engine harness, and repin some of the connections.
Along with what everyone mentioned, I think you could find complete V6 car for less than the cost of this swap.
You will need engine harness, and repin some of the connections.
Along with what everyone mentioned, I think you could find complete V6 car for less than the cost of this swap.