New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech - what engine should i use?

ok i am thinking about buying a 1996 firebird v6 5 speed well i hear you can do ls1 conversions how hard is it? also i heard of ls2 ls6 ls7 which is the best out of all 4 engines? I am very new to this so plz help me out and which would be the best option for my firebird? and how much money we talking here?

what is best for your firebird is going to come down to what you want to accomplish. what are the goals for your vehicle or think of some that you would like to achieve. all of the motors you listed can be turned into beasts one way or another.

You may want to post another thread in the conversions section in regards to what's involved with doing a 3.8L to LSx swap. ;)

I would post up here and ask conversions forum (http://ls1tech.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=28)

As far as what engine...its just up to what kind of hp you want and how much money you want to spend. :judge:

Its gonna be cheaper to just buy a v8 optioned car in the first place most likely, there are some good deals out there....

Just buy the V8 optioned car to beigin with. WAY less drama...

exactly, unless someone is just handing you a free v6 car in great condition... just buy a 98+ v8 car. there's no way you will save any money buying a v6 car, and then buying a new lsx engine, tranny, computer, wiring harness, ext.... AND paying someone to install it (i assume you can't do that on your own).

just buy a used ls1 firebird or camaro. as for the other engines, ls1=350 hp, ls2 and 6=400 hp, and ls7=500 hp (this one costs well over 10k). but really, no one here buys these engines and keeps them stock anyway.... its VERY easy to get an ls1 into the 400-500 fwhp range.

Its gonna be cheaper to just buy a v8 optioned car in the first place most likely, there are some good deals out there....
:werd:

The 93-97 LT1's are pretty cheap these days.

exactly, unless someone is just handing you a free v6 car in great condition... just buy a 98+ v8 car. there's no way you will save any money buying a v6 car, and then buying a new lsx engine, tranny, computer, wiring harness, ext.... AND paying someone to install it (i assume you can't do that on your own).

just buy a used ls1 firebird or camaro. as for the other engines, ls1=350 hp, ls2 and 6=400 hp, and ls7=500 hp (this one costs well over 10k). but really, no one here buys these engines and keeps them stock anyway.... its VERY easy to get an ls1 into the 400-500 fwhp range.

how it it VERY easy to make an LS1 into a 400 horse motor? exhaust done right is a grand, cam is a grand (just for parts), intake is over 500, then you gotta get tires and traction help.

really... is there an easy way? cause expensive isn't easy unless your rich.

how it it VERY easy to make an LS1 into a 400 horse motor? exhaust done right is a grand, cam is a grand (just for parts), intake is over 500, then you gotta get tires and traction help.

really... is there an easy way? cause expensive isn't easy unless your rich.

That doesnt make any sense, if he buys the v6, he is going to pay just as much.

v6 car- $2-5000
Fully assembled ls1, and other parts for the swap $5,000+++

Thats way more then you could just go out and buy and ls1 car for. You can find a nice ls1 powered vehicle for around $8,000.

Not to mention if he did get the ls1 in the v6, he then is going to have to spend money on exhaust, and other bolt-ons like you mentioned above. And then hes also going to have traction problems in that car as well.

Save yourself some money, and a ton of headaches, and just get a ls1 powered vehicle if thats what your looking for.

Yeah just buy an LS1, I've been down the swapping road and it's alot easier and cheaper

how it it VERY easy to make an LS1 into a 400 horse motor? exhaust done right is a grand, cam is a grand (just for parts), intake is over 500, then you gotta get tires and traction help.

really... is there an easy way? cause expensive isn't easy unless your rich.

well, you answered your own question. its VERY easy to make an LS1 a 400 rwhp motor because all it REALLY takes is an exhaust and a cam. a 400 hp LS1 that someone just wants to have fun on the street with really doesn't NEED tires or suspension.

every thing is relative... from what i know of this whole car hobby thing, 2500ish to make a 400 rwhp motor is cheap.... you certainly won't be making ANY mustang GT into a 400 rwhp motor for that money...

besides, there are easy/cheaper ways for someone to get a hold of a 400 hp car besides buying an LS1 f-body and adding exhaust and cam, but there arn't many... and if you add reliability into it, you will be hard pressed to find any car that has the power/reliability/cost of a cam'd LS1. basically, for 10-11k, (ls1 car plus those mods), you will have a reliable, DD ready, 400 rwhp car. key words being reliable and DD.

so i say it again.... :eyes: it is EASY to make an LS1 car into a 400 rwhp motor.

Your probably better off getting a 98+ T/A. But if you have to , no sence putting an ls1 in. Get an LS2 402. If cash is no issue get a new LSX block and go bigger. LS7 is a lot of $.

how it it VERY easy to make an LS1 into a 400 horse motor? exhaust done right is a grand, cam is a grand (just for parts), intake is over 500, then you gotta get tires and traction help.

really... is there an easy way? cause expensive isn't easy unless your rich.
Very easy and relatively inexpensive. You could throw a 100shot nitrous kit on a stock LS1 and be at 400rwhp reliably for $600. Or you could go N/A with some Pacesetters/ORY/cut-out ($600), 230ish cam ($800), LS6 intake (if needed $380), lid ($100), and ported TB (free to $150).