CharlesP

Hey,

I bought a firebird last year with the 3.8L in it. I got it really cheap from a family member. Now, I'm wanting some power in it. I hear that beefing up a 3.8 is pretty silly. Do you think dropping a 5.3L in it would be something worth doing? I don't have the money to buy a trans am since they're mostly $8000+. I'm looking to spend tops $3000 on this car.

If I were to drop a 5.3 in it, would I need a new rear end? Clutch? I know I'll need new shocks/struts, k member, pcm, and gauge cluster...but what else?

I'd appreciate any help/advice!!

blackbyrd

iTrader: (14)

add a new transmission to that list the t5 wont work with the ls based motors (this includes the 5.3)

depending on the firebird you will also need steering rack (the input angle is different on the v6 rack this interferes with the alternator location) the only difference would be if the car came with the performance option (y87 rpo code) your rear end gears might need changing but rear end you can get away with. cant remember about the drive shaft or not. Front springs need to be changed to compensate for the added weight.

Radiator will need to be swapped out. fuel pump as well

honestly you will be hard pressed to pull off the swap for just 3k. The parts add up quickly and all the above is just the stuff I can remember

Daniel Richards

iTrader: (1)

Here is a list I put together when I was thinking of doing this swap, based on prices people where asking in the classifieds section or on craigslist.

It is not even complete and close to 2500


edit: you'll also notice those numbers don't have the v8 fuel pump either.

LETZRIDE

iTrader: (6)

cartuning turbo kit and run 11s all day. If you can't afford 5gs for it because your budget is at a hard 3gs, there are cheaper ways.

Go to the v6 forums, guys are modifying M90's to fit under the hood frequently now- the whole thing can be done for under a grand...

Don't buy into the v8 hype - if you spend your 3gs properly and wisely you'll be faster than your bone stock swapped v8.

I've had both. I have an LS now, the v6 was fun as hell and cheap to build. The LS is expensive in comparison.

Finally...weight reduction weight reduction weight reduction

Honestly the only reason guys swap the 6 out and give up on it is because they are too damn lazy to put a little bit of effort in to build the car. Yes, a v8 car will be easier to make power out of, but that comes after all your costs of swapping one in. By the time you spend 3 gs minimum to swap in your v8, you'll need another few grand just to make it semi fast.

M4N14C

iTrader: (3)

Hell I'd say just build the 3800 to have something different. With some supporting mods you can spray 75-100 shot on those motors all day.

ChristopherWelkin

I think it's silly when people give you hell for putting money on the v6.

Next time someone tells you, "should've saved money for a V8," ask them why they didn't save up for a Corvette neither

ramairetransam

iTrader: (18)

you can get some good cams from the 3800 grand prix scene . I think the zzp nic cam is a pretty big cam . and some ported heads can be had .

You should or could look for a wrecked ls1 fbody

J0S3PH98FireT/A

If u have $3000 now and a ls1 powered f-body is what u want id say save the money and buy one they can be had for cheap I got my 1998 trans am convertible for $4000 talked em down and besides the back window was broken but tbh wait it out and jump on the first sweet deal u can find. ����

Daniel Richards

iTrader: (1)

those 4k ones are few and FAR between, most LS1 cars start at 8k around here. in fact I've only seen one ls1 car listed under 7k in the last year in my area.

to the OP it depends on your ultimate goal, if your looking to make stock v8 power levels you could probably do it in that 3k budget by modding the v6, but if your ultimate goal is 400-500 or more HP then you'll want the v8 as the starting point for a build like that because you need it to make that kind of power regularly. the bottom end of the 3.8 being an Iron block is much stouter then the aluminum block ls1 so it can handle more boost.

I'll leave you all with this to remember the v6 can be built crazy wild and powerful.

FirebirdPhil

iTrader: (8)

It's all about what you want man. If you want a v8 then look outside of your area. Heck I took a spirit flight for $80 to SC and drove my formula home to FL after paying 4500 for it.

I'm not a v6 hater by any means, heck I just bought back my old firebird to DD. The 3.8 is a tough motor that with creativity can make serious power as seen in the video posted earlier. With bolt ons and a few suspension mods it is a fun DD which is what I wanted. I will say though, the v8 just has the power, sound, and feel that I always wanted out of my v6. Either way, it's a journey so enjoy it!

CharlesP

Thank you, everyone. I've made the decision to save for a 5.3L.