Should I drop a LS1 in my V6?

I was wondering if I should drop a LS1 in my V6. Everyone has told me that it would be too much trouble and would end up costing me alot of money, Because I would have to buy a bigger cam and a new transmission and so on.... I wanted to know if it was to much work/money to do so......? Please Post

Sell it, save up a few grand, buy a factory LS1 ;)

Thats what everyone tells me to do, but I love my car (Kinda attached) I just want more power. I race and my v6 ain't pulling enough to do what I want. Do you have any suggestions on what I could do other than sell???? Turbo, Supercharger?????? My parents gave me the car for Graduation. I doubt they will let me sell it. I have been thinking about selling it, but it would be hard to let go since it was my first car.......Thanx for your post*

You could supercharge it, but then it wouldn't be much more than a glorified GTP. Would cost more than the difference between your car and an LS1 also. Any way you look at it, getting some serious power in your v6 will cost more than the difference :(

Actually, thought about it a bit more...go over to www.ls1.com, there is a guy there that has a 6'er and runs very low 12's with some spray, bolt-on's, sticky tires, and a hell of a launch(key word here is nitrous). Could always go that route, but it's not power on demand, have to keep paying for your power :)

Test drive a LS1. I am sure you will be able to part with your car after a test drive. :) As for your parents not letting you get a LS1, I was in the same boat. I had a V6 Camaro and over time convinced my parents to let me get a V8.

Test drive a LS1. I am sure you will be able to part with your car after a test drive. :) As for your parents not letting you get a LS1, I was in the same boat. I had a V6 Camaro and over time convinced my parents to let me get a V8.


Hey, I don't suppose u still have ur old wheels? :)

You mean the 5 spokes that came with my SS? Gave them to a friend I don't talk to now. :(

I think I have talked my Mom and Dad into selling mine......might take a few months we will just have to see. I really want a z28 and they ain't wanting to pay no more than what I can get back for mine which is really going to be hard to do. My Dad is wanting me to race more since I'm the only girl out there so maybe I can't talk him into paying the difference for me. I think it would be alot easier than finding a Ls1 for my car. :D

Thats what everyone tells me to do, but I love my car (Kinda attached) I just want more power. I race and my v6 ain't pulling enough to do what I want. Do you have any suggestions on what I could do other than sell???? Turbo, Supercharger?????? My parents gave me the car for Graduation. I doubt they will let me sell it. I have been thinking about selling it, but it would be hard to let go since it was my first car.......Thanx for your post*

Test drive and LS1 and you will hooked. I sold my 2000 V6 bird not too long ago for the Hawk and the difference is night and day. Is the car fully paid for already or is it being financed? Do you pay for insurance or do your parents? These are some things to consider before getting the LS1.

We still have a few more payments I think around $3,000. I told my parents if they bought me this z28 that I'm looking at, that I would pay my own insurance since it will be the only bill I have since I'm still at home and in school. I think they liked that idea. I'm taking drivers ed just for the hell of it becoz its a easy A, so that dropped my insurance a bit and I'm a B student that dropped it some more. My Mom is talking to my Dad and since I took an Auto Body at school and had the highest score in my class my Dad knows how serious I am about racing and cars period. So things are looking better.

I’m in the same boat but have decided that I’m gonna drop a LS1 in my car. Yes it will be a lot of money at first but it will save me a bunch of money in the long run because I’m not going to tell the insurance company that I did an engine swap (and yes i know what could happen if the insurance company finds out.) But I have done some research and it would cost me around 8 grand for a pullout engine w/ tranny from tacreationsusa.com w/ all the other accessories like a new LTD read-end w/ 3.42 and new wiring harness, gauge cluster, etc... also the 8 grand includes labor, LT headers, GMMG cat-back, lid, and little things like that. I know that sounds like a lot at first and with 8 grand I can easily get a Camaro equipped w/ a LS1 by doing this swap I will save at least $500 a month, that’s also because I have 2 tickets, being 16, oh and not having the best grades.

so it took you how long to go from being attached to your car to deciding to get an ls1? 2 days? everyone thinks z28 insurance is some god aweful amount more than a v6 but it really isnt...id rather pay 20 bucks or so more a month than go through an engine swap with a v6...people dont realize what all goes into a swap half the time

I'm doing a 3.4 to LT1 swap in about a week. I'll let you know how it turns out. BTW, heres a decent site on the swap: V6 Conversion (http://www.v6conversion.com)

so it took you how long to go from being attached to your car to deciding to get an ls1? 2 days? everyone thinks z28 insurance is some god aweful amount more than a v6 but it really isnt...id rather pay 20 bucks or so more a month than go through an engine swap with a v6...people dont realize what all goes into a swap half the timeIt varies a lot from person to person. When I first got my 99 SS it was close to $4k a year for insurance, around the same time it was $2.5k a year on the 98 V6 Camaro. I agree that it's usually not worth a engine swap.

You mean the 5 spokes that came with my SS? Gave them to a friend I don't talk to now. :(

Bummer :(

I say you should. If you have the time, money, energy, and tools then do it. You'll learn a lot and in the end you will have the satifaction of saying I put that engine in. But if you do you better save. You'r going to need the ls1, new tranny, driveshaft, rearend, front suspension work, and redo the guages inside the cabin because they are not compatible. Not really sure you will have to change the d/s and rear end but thats what I was told. But its your car do want ever you want with it you have that right.

Gary

ps What engine do you have is it the series 2 3.8L because if it is I will take if off your hands if you do go ahead with the swap.

I’m in the same boat but have decided that I’m gonna drop a LS1 in my car. Yes it will be a lot of money at first but it will save me a bunch of money in the long run because I’m not going to tell the insurance company that I did an engine swap (and yes i know what could happen if the insurance company finds out.) But I have done some research and it would cost me around 8 grand for a pullout engine w/ tranny from tacreationsusa.com w/ all the other accessories like a new LTD read-end w/ 3.42 and new wiring harness, gauge cluster, etc... also the 8 grand includes labor, LT headers, GMMG cat-back, lid, and little things like that. I know that sounds like a lot at first and with 8 grand I can easily get a Camaro equipped w/ a LS1 by doing this swap I will save at least $500 a month, that’s also because I have 2 tickets, being 16, oh and not having the best grades.

I would do the same but my Mom thinks if we would spend 8 grand putting a ls1 in mine we might as well find a deal and buy a z28. Which my mom just wants a convertible z. So she is on my side. But I would like to know how everything goes when you get finished. The insurnace thing...everyone around here does that. But if you race at my track you hace to show your insurance papers and stuff so I could not get away with that.....might as well do it right and pay up.

so it took you how long to go from being attached to your car to deciding to get an ls1? 2 days? everyone thinks z28 insurance is some god aweful amount more than a v6 but it really isnt...id rather pay 20 bucks or so more a month than go through an engine swap with a v6...people dont realize what all goes into a swap half the time

Going to the races and watching all the guys racing and I want to hang with them. My v6 is far from doing that and why not sell it and buy a z28? Saves me money becoz I won't have to buy anything just take up the payments I have now.

I'm doing a 3.4 to LT1 swap in about a week. I'll let you know how it turns out. BTW, heres a decent site on the swap: V6 Conversion (http://www.v6conversion.com)

Thanx I would really appreaciate it...... :) Good luck

I say you should. If you have the time, money, energy, and tools then do it. You'll learn a lot and in the end you will have the satifaction of saying I put that engine in. But if you do you better save. You'r going to need the ls1, new tranny, driveshaft, rearend, front suspension work, and redo the guages inside the cabin because they are not compatible. Not really sure you will have to change the d/s and rear end but thats what I was told. But its your car do want ever you want with it you have that right.

Gary

ps What engine do you have is it the series 2 3.8L because if it is I will take if off your hands if you do go ahead with the swap.

Yea mine is a 3.8L but I really don't have the money to do a swap I reather just pay a payment of a new car I don't have the money up front and with school starting I need a car i can't be working on it..but it was a nice thought :)

I’m in the same boat but have decided that I’m gonna drop a LS1 in my car. Yes it will be a lot of money at first but it will save me a bunch of money in the long run because I’m not going to tell the insurance company that I did an engine swap (and yes i know what could happen if the insurance company finds out.) But I have done some research and it would cost me around 8 grand for a pullout engine w/ tranny from tacreationsusa.com w/ all the other accessories like a new LTD read-end w/ 3.42 and new wiring harness, gauge cluster, etc... also the 8 grand includes labor, LT headers, GMMG cat-back, lid, and little things like that.

are you planning on doing this sawp yourself? cause if you are let me tell you, you are in for a lot of work. to make the swap easier you are going to need a lift. because the motor comes out and goes in through the bottom of the car. take it from someone who has done the swap find someone to do the work for you. i know how to work on my LS1, but had i done that swap my car still wouldn't be running. there is too much wiring to try to do the swap yourself. where do you live? if it's anywhere close to tennessee i storngly suggest that you take it to tennessee auto parts. those guys hooked me up. they put my car at a 13.3 on street tires blowin tires off leaving the line with a stock LS1 setup. also if your car's a stick i suggest getting a pro 5.0 shifter for your LS1 with your swap. V8s are hard on the tranny and you will spend some serious dollars rebuilding it after you just paid all the money on the swap (speaking form experience). let me know if you want the number to the guys that did my swap. i am extremely happy with the results. a mechanic friend of mine said he couldn't tell the difference in a Z car and mine that they made the car look factory. just really research what you are planning and make sure you feel comfortable with who is tearing your car appart.

are you planning on doing this sawp yourself? cause if you are let me tell you, you are in for a lot of work. to make the swap easier you are going to need a lift. because the motor comes out and goes in through the bottom of the car. take it from someone who has done the swap find someone to do the work for you. i know how to work on my LS1, but had i done that swap my car still wouldn't be running. there is too much wiring to try to do the swap yourself. where do you live? if it's anywhere close to tennessee i storngly suggest that you take it to tennessee auto parts. those guys hooked me up. they put my car at a 13.3 on street tires blowin tires off leaving the line with a stock LS1 setup. also if your car's a stick i suggest getting a pro 5.0 shifter for your LS1 with your swap. V8s are hard on the tranny and you will spend some serious dollars rebuilding it after you just paid all the money on the swap (speaking form experience). let me know if you want the number to the guys that did my swap. i am extremely happy with the results. a mechanic friend of mine said he couldn't tell the difference in a Z car and mine that they made the car look factory. just really research what you are planning and make sure you feel comfortable with who is tearing your car appart.

[FONT=Garamond]I would not dare to do the swap myself, but I have Uncle's that own a shop and all they deal with is Camaros. So I'm really not worried about where I would have it done. I live in Muscle Shoals, Al. not even an hour away from the TN. line. My main worry is money. I'm in school and all I have is a part time job. So I figured my best bet would to be buy a Z28 and make my parents pay for it.....(the only reason I'm graduating) :D My car is an auto which is another reason I want to sell I rather race with a stick......All of the reasons to sell over ride all of the reasons not too.....I'll save more money probably selling and buying a v8. I really can't have people working on my car right now anyways school starts Monday and I'll need it everyday. But I really appreciate your help and if I don't sell and decide to swap you will be the first to know and I'll get that number. Thanx alot![/FONT

are you planning on doing this sawp yourself? cause if you are let me tell you, you are in for a lot of work. to make the swap easier you are going to need a lift. because the motor comes out and goes in through the bottom of the car. take it from someone who has done the swap find someone to do the work for you. i know how to work on my LS1, but had i done that swap my car still wouldn't be running. there is too much wiring to try to do the swap yourself. where do you live? if it's anywhere close to tennessee i storngly suggest that you take it to tennessee auto parts. those guys hooked me up. they put my car at a 13.3 on street tires blowin tires off leaving the line with a stock LS1 setup. also if your car's a stick i suggest getting a pro 5.0 shifter for your LS1 with your swap. V8s are hard on the tranny and you will spend some serious dollars rebuilding it after you just paid all the money on the swap (speaking form experience). let me know if you want the number to the guys that did my swap. i am extremely happy with the results. a mechanic friend of mine said he couldn't tell the difference in a Z car and mine that they made the car look factory. just really research what you are planning and make sure you feel comfortable with who is tearing your car appart.

No I will not be doing the swap myself but will lend out a second hand to the shop if they need it. But I have a couple of shops that can do the swap for me. There is a shop in Gardner called Auto Stop that can do the swap and they have also done a LS1 swap for Brian aka FAD2BLK on one of the Missouri boards and I have talked to him a few times and he said they did good work up there. I also have my friend’s dad that can do the swap and I trust him because he has had numerous of Camaros and T/A's and know what he is doing and not to mention he just finished his 9sec. T/A project so I know I can trust him. But like a lot of people say most people don’t even know half the things that are needed for a swap but I have done my shares of research and know what is involved in a LS1 swap. So good luck on whatever you do/choose and hoped this helped

Hello. Yeah, you'll be happy with their work. They did a good job for me, and I love having the swap. I was able to keep everything I had put work into the appearance but still get the engine I wanted as well.

Good luck with everything, and hope to see you out soon.