V6 to V8 swap?

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 06:22 PM

Hey, I am 16, and I am curious how hard it would be to swap a 95' V6 to an 00' LS1? Like a complete driveline switch and everything. I can't get insurance on ANY car with a V8 or even a convertible. Yeah, it's a nice car, but the whole point in a chick magnet is that it is supposed to have the power to rip their panties off for you

. My mom has agworkers or something and my grandpa has assigned risk, so liability through him would be like $3500.

So an engine swap is my only option for power. But I am just curious how hard the swap would be? I plan on buying an salvage SS or something and doing a complete swap. I am looking for tips/tricks, how hard it would be, alternatives etc.

I have considered the turbo route, but the cost is unbearable and it would only put me at like 300hp and it would sound like a rice burner.

demonpixel · 10-26-2008, 07:01 PM

VERY hard. I'm doing this to my 93 Camaro. You have to swap out the transmission unless yours is a 4L60e (mine was a 4L60) and the rearend. You'll also need a new k-member and front springs. Your car will also need a new pcm, and you'll have to figure out how to wire the ls1 pcm with your bcm and you might need a new bcm, not sure.

When I'm done I will let you know how it went.

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 07:07 PM

I was planning on buying a complete car though and swapping things over, wouldn't it be easier that way? If I did a complete car to car swap, I shouldn't have to worry about a pcm and shit right? And you live in Houston? Cause I do too

. Maybe we can chill one day and help each other.

But this is what I was planning on getting. I am sure buy the time I get $6000, there will be something cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___CHEVROLET-CAMARO-SS-REPAIRABLE-SALVAGE-2000_W0QQitemZ170273461946QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Truck sQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170273461946&_t rksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727|65%3A12|39% 3A1|240%3A1318

Mogg · 10-26-2008, 07:18 PM

It's not worth it.

Just sell off the V6 and get an LT1 f body. They are dirt cheap nowadays, and will not cost as much to insure.

demonpixel · 10-26-2008, 08:06 PM

Ah ok gotcha penguin. Yes, if you have a donor car it would be much much easier. Also, yes, EVERYONE will tell you it's not worth it. It's only worth it if you think it's worth it. Why didn't I just save all the money I'm putting into the conversion and buy an LS1 car already built? So I could go through the experience of working on a project car that's been with me through everything. To me it's totally worth it.

That'd be great to help each other out man. Sending you a pm...

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 08:09 PM

The thing is, I CAN'T get ANY V8 car through my moms insurance, that is just the way the rules work through Agworkers.. This is the only reason why I would buy an SS and swap it over instead of just fixing the bumper and such. I just can't get a V8 car no matter what unless I do it through my grandpa, and I just can't afford the $3500-$4500 a year to do that.

Even a Civic through my grandpa would cost like $3000 a year to insure.

And yeah demon, it is so much funner to work on your car yourself than having it already done. Plus, since I would be pulling the engine out, it would make it much easier to mod it.

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 08:33 PM

Here are some pics of my car too btw, I got it for $1000 actually.

SparkyJJO · 10-26-2008, 08:41 PM

$1000? Not bad!

I go back and forth on converting my 98 V6 to an LS1 but I can't decide. Mine is my DD so I can't really take it down for months doing a conversion, I have to get to work! So, I'm thinking I might end up just forgetting about it and saving my money for a 5th gen in the future.

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 08:44 PM

You could just do it one day at a time. Like one weekend, swap out the rear end, then the next swap the engine or something. It shouldn't take too long to do I think.

SparkyJJO · 10-26-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retardedpenguin

You could just do it one day at a time. Like one weekend, swap out the rear end, then the next swap the engine or something. It shouldn't take too long to do I think.

Well that's the thing we both need to think about. How long does it take to swap stuff? The rearend wouldn't be too bad (though we could probably get away with our stock 10 bolts to begin with). But the motor/tranny/suspension/wiring would all have to be done together. My guess is it would take more than a single weekend to do all that.

At any rate, if you do this, report back on how long it takes! I'd be interested to know what it takes and how much it costs (aside from acquiring the donor car as that varies).

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 09:11 PM

The thing is, our school has a real bad ass autotech program. So we have 5 lifts, a dyno, and all sorts of other shit. So, I am not sure if the time to do it would be the same between us. But I think it would cost like $5000 with a donor car. I only have like $1000 right now so I am not sure what I am going to do. Financing a $5000 salvage car seems kinda stupid to me but idk.

SparkyJJO · 10-26-2008, 09:22 PM

5 lifts? Lucky you! That should make life easier to have a lift and all that. I don't have such things available to me.

BTW, I saw a wrecked Camaro on here for under $3k a couple months ago. It was all body damage, the drivetrain was fine. Keep an eye out for deals like that. I wouldn't pay $5k for a wrecked car.

retardedpenguin · 10-26-2008, 09:44 PM

Yeah, but $5k for a wrecked SS ls1 isn't too bad. I would switch out all of the interior and stuff too.

demonpixel · 10-27-2008, 05:32 PM

Sparky, when I'm done with mine (which will be a long time from now), I'm going to post all about it on my blog, starting with the engine build. I'll include prices too.

1slo_camaro · 10-27-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonpixel

VERY hard. I'm doing this to my 93 Camaro. You have to swap out the transmission unless yours is a 4L60e (mine was a 4L60) and the rearend. You'll also need a new k-member and front springs. Your car will also need a new pcm, and you'll have to figure out how to wire the ls1 pcm with your bcm and you might need a new bcm, not sure.

When I'm done I will let you know how it went.

if im not mistaken the 4l60e wont work from a V6 to bolt on a LS/LT

retardedpenguin · 10-27-2008, 09:40 PM

W00t!!! Holy crap I just got hired at our local Chevy dealer!!! Now I should be getting enough money to do the swap within a few months. Or hopefully enough I can buy the car now and make payments. God this is so awesome!! like $80 a week at my last job wouldn't be enough to get it done. Hopefully I can get like 35-45 hours a week, and at $7 that should be decent money.

retardedpenguin · 10-28-2008, 10:36 PM

lemons12 · 12-09-2008, 09:21 PM

your going to find out you dont want to do this... most do.. a select few decide to go through with it.....

its expensive and complicated..

TSSC · 12-09-2008, 10:14 PM

here's a thought: instead of changing your daily driver, make a sleeper car such as an s-10, GEO, miata, lumina, ect. this way you still have something to drive and if anything BAD happens you still have your car the way it is. Thats what i did. I put a 427ci. in a short wide 92 nissan truck. After i did that i slapped a 150 shot of nitrous on it and raced an 02 ss camaro for its title and now i drive a pewter ss camaro. Its a fun route to take, and you learn ALOT. not old enough? im 18. i have faith in you bro.