v6 camaro work??
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: North richland hills texas
v6 camaro work?? My friend has a 1999 v6 camaro and is wanting to do some head work and cam work to it..I have already tried to talk him to a ls1 swap but he says no...Any one know of a place to do some port and polish work of v6 heads and get a cam for it...its a 3800 series 2 motor...L36
The v6s are pretty easy to work on, but these days it takes alot of money to really keep up with even the new hondas and such. 10 years ago it would be really worth it, but now its just a bad place to put your money.
My car was fun and somewhat competitive with the average kid with old mustangs and some imports, but now I just put gas in the tank and keep the oil topped off.
If he really wants to do it, i would would just say zzperformance, intense, thrasher, or even take the heads to a local shop, they can probably do as much work as anyone of the above shops.
Heads and cam with a good tune could see mid 13s if the gears are good and its stalled if auto.
My car was fun and somewhat competitive with the average kid with old mustangs and some imports, but now I just put gas in the tank and keep the oil topped off.
If he really wants to do it, i would would just say zzperformance, intense, thrasher, or even take the heads to a local shop, they can probably do as much work as anyone of the above shops.
Heads and cam with a good tune could see mid 13s if the gears are good and its stalled if auto.
Trending Topics
Gallant Technical Performance
in houston
cam, port cyl. heads, port upper and lower intake manifold, headers, n2o(50-75 dry), tune, TB, air intake, amsoil full syntho fluids -> 350ish HP
you can run boost but internals are so-so to hold up.
you can run 6-8 psi stock but ^
after that its going to get expensive most of the internal parts you'll need for a rebuild cost the same or more than most v8 parts. I decided to drop my L36 project and just buy a LS block. If he really wants to go through with the project Im willing to "Donate" a free set of 01 Firebird 3.8L;
stock cylinder heads
stock Upper intake manifold
stock lower intake manifold
so he can still drive his car while the parts get ported. catch he has to pick them up tho not wasting gas.
in houston
cam, port cyl. heads, port upper and lower intake manifold, headers, n2o(50-75 dry), tune, TB, air intake, amsoil full syntho fluids -> 350ish HP
you can run boost but internals are so-so to hold up.
you can run 6-8 psi stock but ^
after that its going to get expensive most of the internal parts you'll need for a rebuild cost the same or more than most v8 parts. I decided to drop my L36 project and just buy a LS block. If he really wants to go through with the project Im willing to "Donate" a free set of 01 Firebird 3.8L;
stock cylinder heads
stock Upper intake manifold
stock lower intake manifold
so he can still drive his car while the parts get ported. catch he has to pick them up tho not wasting gas.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
You can run over twice that much boost on a stock internal 3800SII if you have a decent tune and the right fueling system. Most people would stick with max of 14psi, but there have been a couple up to low 20's... water/meth is helpful at that point. Even though they have hypereutectic pistons, the compression ratio is 9.4:1 and it is relatively boost friendly.
Most of the places listed already in the thread are decent choices. As far as boost goes there really aren't any commercial kits readily available... which I suppose is ok since he said he wanted to stay NA anyway. He might be able to mess with the poor SN95 4.6L's if he builds it right with either the right rear gears or stall. If he went more radical he might be able to surprise some 99+. Depends on how huge a cam/gears/stall and weight reduction he is willing to do.
Most of the places listed already in the thread are decent choices. As far as boost goes there really aren't any commercial kits readily available... which I suppose is ok since he said he wanted to stay NA anyway. He might be able to mess with the poor SN95 4.6L's if he builds it right with either the right rear gears or stall. If he went more radical he might be able to surprise some 99+. Depends on how huge a cam/gears/stall and weight reduction he is willing to do.
I was told you can run 12psi with an intercooler but I would think most people would end up with having problems. cooling fuel and top end had issues
im not sure wheres the website but a guy made 500+ on a 98/97 Camaro that he swapped the internals he made 450-500+ on boost its a yellow V6 black racing stripes.
I know there are some badass 3.8L FWD cars out there with S/C mods and some with S/C -> T/C conversions.
im not sure wheres the website but a guy made 500+ on a 98/97 Camaro that he swapped the internals he made 450-500+ on boost its a yellow V6 black racing stripes.
I know there are some badass 3.8L FWD cars out there with S/C mods and some with S/C -> T/C conversions.
Teching In
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 0
Likes: 1
You can run over twice that much boost on a stock internal 3800SII if you have a decent tune and the right fueling system. Most people would stick with max of 14psi, but there have been a couple up to low 20's... water/meth is helpful at that point. Even though they have hypereutectic pistons, the compression ratio is 9.4:1 and it is relatively boost friendly.
Most of the places listed already in the thread are decent choices. As far as boost goes there really aren't any commercial kits readily available... which I suppose is ok since he said he wanted to stay NA anyway. He might be able to mess with the poor SN95 4.6L's if he builds it right with either the right rear gears or stall. If he went more radical he might be able to surprise some 99+. Depends on how huge a cam/gears/stall and weight reduction he is willing to do.
Most of the places listed already in the thread are decent choices. As far as boost goes there really aren't any commercial kits readily available... which I suppose is ok since he said he wanted to stay NA anyway. He might be able to mess with the poor SN95 4.6L's if he builds it right with either the right rear gears or stall. If he went more radical he might be able to surprise some 99+. Depends on how huge a cam/gears/stall and weight reduction he is willing to do.
BS, just looking at his posts, he is making 500hp and wants to run E85 to get to 750+
He said he has a grand prix which is not a forged motor and is using hypertonic pistons. 500hp is pushing his current motor no way it will be reliable with 800hp. Also looks like he probably threw a rod because hes looking to have some head work done.
The OP never said his friend wanted to turbo anything or make more then 800hp, he wants heads and cam and im guessing something that will work with a DD.
His friend said no to an LS1 swap, a turbo on a 3800 is harder then and would probably cost more then an LS1 swap and not be as reliable, (I had a turbo for my old 3800, I know)
don't bother putting money into a car like that. save up for one with a real motor.
I have a fairly quick v6 and I wouldn't even recommend doing it. especially if you're not going to go turbo.
I have a fairly quick v6 and I wouldn't even recommend doing it. especially if you're not going to go turbo.
BS, just looking at his posts, he is making 500hp and wants to run E85 to get to 750+
He said he has a grand prix which is not a forged motor and is using hypertonic pistons. 500hp is pushing his current motor no way it will be reliable with 800hp. Also looks like he probably threw a rod because hes looking to have some head work done.
The OP never said his friend wanted to turbo anything or make more then 800hp, he wants heads and cam and im guessing something that will work with a DD.
His friend said no to an LS1 swap, a turbo on a 3800 is harder then and would probably cost more then an LS1 swap and not be as reliable, (I had a turbo for my old 3800, I know)
He said he has a grand prix which is not a forged motor and is using hypertonic pistons. 500hp is pushing his current motor no way it will be reliable with 800hp. Also looks like he probably threw a rod because hes looking to have some head work done.
The OP never said his friend wanted to turbo anything or make more then 800hp, he wants heads and cam and im guessing something that will work with a DD.
His friend said no to an LS1 swap, a turbo on a 3800 is harder then and would probably cost more then an LS1 swap and not be as reliable, (I had a turbo for my old 3800, I know)
second, he did not throw a rod, he was on his way to a basement 10 second pass on high boost when a vaccum hose blew off and he popped a piston.
Third, hes looking for headwork because hes currently tackling one of his most aggressive builds to date, hence the thinking outside the box and looking at E85, JUST LIKE ALL OF US, amazing how that works. and the head you saw? that wasent his, someone was trying to sell it to him and he was trying to find out if it was worth it, in the end he did not buy them.
Fourth, he discovered an f150 flex fuel pump rated at 335 lph thats about 70 bucks new or less out of a junkyard, twin of those would be far superior to twin walbros in several different ways, plus, lol, get this! E85 and boost go great together! bet you didnt know that did you!?
Fifth, as I already stated, hes got probably 20 heads and cam swapped cars running around houston, as well as the modded supercharged cars, from basic bolt ons to 3800 swapped Fieros with T70 turbos.
Sixth, just because someone posts something does not mean its their car, and if you decide to bash someone do a better job reading what you already claim to have read.
Make big plans for it or don't waste your time and just enjoy it as a DD.
V8 cars are dirt cheap, even my LT1 puts my old V6 to shame in every category.
Unless it has major sentimental value or is really clean or you just want a V6 to shut people up its not going to be competitive enough without some serious cash.
When I had my V6 Firebird it ran 7.7 in the 1/8th and 12.2 in the 1/4 on a 100 shot with cam, 4.10s and a 3500 converter and I wouldn't recommend it.
It's fun...but starting with an LS1 is just so much better.
I was told you can run 12psi with an intercooler but I would think most people would end up with having problems. cooling fuel and top end had issues
im not sure wheres the website but a guy made 500+ on a 98/97 Camaro that he swapped the internals he made 450-500+ on boost its a yellow V6 black racing stripes.
I know there are some badass 3.8L FWD cars out there with S/C mods and some with S/C -> T/C conversions.
im not sure wheres the website but a guy made 500+ on a 98/97 Camaro that he swapped the internals he made 450-500+ on boost its a yellow V6 black racing stripes.
I know there are some badass 3.8L FWD cars out there with S/C mods and some with S/C -> T/C conversions.
I disagree with the first part. If you half *** the tune, fuel system, or intercooling I can see a problem. The first person around the boards way back in the day with a turbo on his 3.8L dynoed it at 15psi and that was with an FMU and MAFT+, without the benefit of a tuning solution... Granted that was a little T04E.
If you look at a couple people with modern tuning, injectors, and water/meth you will find that they can run 18-low 20's psi. The highest that someone has willingly run on the board on stock internals was 25psi. That is intercooled, water/meth, and 57pph injectors.
I guess this sort of derailed the thread... he just wanted to be NA anyway. Like Shawn said, it isn't all that cost effective to build one if you want to stay NA or are just looking for cheap power because the LS1 is so affordable now. However, if you want to be different then that is another story.
There have been decent suggestions for heads already in this thread. Most of the aftermarket is really geared towards the L67, but fortunately there is more or less commonality across the 3800SII. Heads and cam aren't really super cheap though.
first of all, yes Ive personnally seen his builds on other peoples cars put down well over 500hp on factory bottom ends, in the 3800 world thats normal. Dont ask me why or how, it just is, and they do it often enough to prove its not just a fluke.
second, he did not throw a rod, he was on his way to a basement 10 second pass on high boost when a vaccum hose blew off and he popped a piston.
Third, hes looking for headwork because hes currently tackling one of his most aggressive builds to date, hence the thinking outside the box and looking at E85, JUST LIKE ALL OF US, amazing how that works. and the head you saw? that wasent his, someone was trying to sell it to him and he was trying to find out if it was worth it, in the end he did not buy them.
Fourth, he discovered an f150 flex fuel pump rated at 335 lph thats about 70 bucks new or less out of a junkyard, twin of those would be far superior to twin walbros in several different ways, plus, lol, get this! E85 and boost go great together! bet you didnt know that did you!?
Fifth, as I already stated, hes got probably 20 heads and cam swapped cars running around houston, as well as the modded supercharged cars, from basic bolt ons to 3800 swapped Fieros with T70 turbos.
Sixth, just because someone posts something does not mean its their car, and if you decide to bash someone do a better job reading what you already claim to have read.
second, he did not throw a rod, he was on his way to a basement 10 second pass on high boost when a vaccum hose blew off and he popped a piston.
Third, hes looking for headwork because hes currently tackling one of his most aggressive builds to date, hence the thinking outside the box and looking at E85, JUST LIKE ALL OF US, amazing how that works. and the head you saw? that wasent his, someone was trying to sell it to him and he was trying to find out if it was worth it, in the end he did not buy them.
Fourth, he discovered an f150 flex fuel pump rated at 335 lph thats about 70 bucks new or less out of a junkyard, twin of those would be far superior to twin walbros in several different ways, plus, lol, get this! E85 and boost go great together! bet you didnt know that did you!?
Fifth, as I already stated, hes got probably 20 heads and cam swapped cars running around houston, as well as the modded supercharged cars, from basic bolt ons to 3800 swapped Fieros with T70 turbos.
Sixth, just because someone posts something does not mean its their car, and if you decide to bash someone do a better job reading what you already claim to have read.
There are only a handful of 500hp stock L36 engines out there and they are not the norm and are arguably on the edge, I wouldn't trust one as a daily driver.
L67 yes I have seen more. But you say 800hp on stock bottom ends with loads of reliability and I say bullshit to that, please show me an example of a stock motor L67 that produces 800+hp and is a DD.
He sure is asking a lot of basic questions if he has built 20+cars in Houston all making over 500hp, I am just saying. You say he has built 20+ heads cam cars but does not know where to get a head machined?
Blew a piston is the same thing he blew the motor all the while not doing anything extraordinary according to you.
Most aggressive builds ever????? Really?? Someone has already run 8's and dynoed over 800hp in a turbo V6 Firebird (built and forged motor, not a stock motor). Hes a little late and a little slow.