Do I need a K-member?
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I hope to be swapping a shiny new Gen-1.5 383 into my '97 Camaro RS (V6) pretty soon. I assume I will need to change all the motor mounts to do so. Will I need to buy a tubular K-member? Or is it just recommended? I'm sure it's the most ideal thing, and I'd like to add one eventually. I'm just wondering if it's actually *required* to do the swap.
I have done some searching on this, and I have read the SBC/BBC conversion sticky (thanks cwaldt!), but that seemed to be geared mostly toward swapping in a BBC which is quite a bit more complicated. Anyway, I just want to ask before spending the money since I'd really prefer to put it into the trans., rear end, and other stuff that's prone to catastrophic failure.
Thanks!
Dave
I have done some searching on this, and I have read the SBC/BBC conversion sticky (thanks cwaldt!), but that seemed to be geared mostly toward swapping in a BBC which is quite a bit more complicated. Anyway, I just want to ask before spending the money since I'd really prefer to put it into the trans., rear end, and other stuff that's prone to catastrophic failure.
Thanks!
Dave
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If i were you I would add up the cost of buying a Z28 vs. the cost of replacing pretty much all of your drivetrain and suspension parts, which you will have to do if you are dropping a 383 in there. I was thinking about doing the same about a year ago and it ended up that a used 99 z would only be a few thousand more than what i could sell my v6 for. Just a thought.
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Wolf -
I get what you're saying, and thanks for the reply. But, even if I had a totally mint Z28, it still wouldn't be what I want. I'm not just out to have a "nice car" (which a Z28 certainly is of course). In fact, for now at least, looks take a back seat to performance. See I bought this car with a busted V6 just to give me something to toy around with... "toying around" meaning that I want the pleasure of building a wicked street screamer. I could have bought a Z or anything else for that matter, but I would still have to replace pretty much all the same stuff. Plus this - being an RS - was the perfect candidate for what I want to do. I just love the thought of a stock looking RS blowing the doors off some hot-rod Honda Civic at a stoplight.
So anyway, back to my original question -- do I *need* a K-member to do this?
Thanks,
Dave
I get what you're saying, and thanks for the reply. But, even if I had a totally mint Z28, it still wouldn't be what I want. I'm not just out to have a "nice car" (which a Z28 certainly is of course). In fact, for now at least, looks take a back seat to performance. See I bought this car with a busted V6 just to give me something to toy around with... "toying around" meaning that I want the pleasure of building a wicked street screamer. I could have bought a Z or anything else for that matter, but I would still have to replace pretty much all the same stuff. Plus this - being an RS - was the perfect candidate for what I want to do. I just love the thought of a stock looking RS blowing the doors off some hot-rod Honda Civic at a stoplight.
![Driving](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_driving3.gif)
So anyway, back to my original question -- do I *need* a K-member to do this?
Thanks,
Dave
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No you don't need a new k member. If you want to swap your k member eventually for the weight savings, I suppose the engine pull would be the ideal time, but its not needed.
Sorry to go off topic but I agree with Wolfgang. Compare it all to the price of a ls1. I never understood why you guys are passionate about beating Honda Civics. If you want, get a z28 and swap the badges I suppose....
Sorry to go off topic but I agree with Wolfgang. Compare it all to the price of a ls1. I never understood why you guys are passionate about beating Honda Civics. If you want, get a z28 and swap the badges I suppose....