Converting a 96 RS to a SS
07-26-2005, 08:32 AM
#46
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Offutt Air Force Base
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Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by GT KILLER
Well, it'd still be cheaper in the end for you to just find a nice SS and get that. But it's your choice.
Chevrolet Camaro SS 2000 Red New Tires Clean Perfect $11,200.00
Chevrolet Camaro SS 1998 66,272 $7,600.00
1998 Camaro SS 6 SPD Hardtop Very clean L@@K!!! $12,995.00
All these are prices for SS's on Ebay. I doubt it will cost me more than $3000 With me doing the labor and My father-in-law getting the parts at the discounted rate. So where is everyone is the cheaper part of just buying an SS, REALLY, cause i don't really see it...
Not taking into count that i if i found an SS cheap enough i would still have to replace parts. So how would it be cheaper.
07-26-2005, 08:58 AM
#47
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by Thailog81
Chevrolet Camaro SS 2000 58,000 $7,100.00
Chevrolet Camaro SS 2000 Red New Tires Clean Perfect $11,200.00
Chevrolet Camaro SS 1998 66,272 $7,600.00
1998 Camaro SS 6 SPD Hardtop Very clean L@@K!!! $12,995.00
All these are prices for SS's on Ebay. I doubt it will cost me more than $3000 With me doing the labor and My father-in-law getting the parts at the discounted rate. So where is everyone is the cheaper part of just buying an SS, REALLY, cause i don't really see it...
Not taking into count that i if i found an SS cheap enough i would still have to replace parts. So how would it be cheaper.
Chevrolet Camaro SS 2000 Red New Tires Clean Perfect $11,200.00
Chevrolet Camaro SS 1998 66,272 $7,600.00
1998 Camaro SS 6 SPD Hardtop Very clean L@@K!!! $12,995.00
All these are prices for SS's on Ebay. I doubt it will cost me more than $3000 With me doing the labor and My father-in-law getting the parts at the discounted rate. So where is everyone is the cheaper part of just buying an SS, REALLY, cause i don't really see it...
Not taking into count that i if i found an SS cheap enough i would still have to replace parts. So how would it be cheaper.
If you sell your car for $5000 and buy a SS for $9,000 for example. It cost you $4000 to upgrade. Now compare that $4000 to what it would cost to get all the SS goodies and install them.
hood- $750
spoiler- $300
paint for above- $600
ramair box- $250
rims- $550
tires- $700
exhaust- $500
suspension- $500
differential- $600 installed
floor mats- $30
emblems- $45
the fact it is a *real* SS - priceless (sorry had to say it :P)
add all that up... $4825.
That is with you installing everything yourself, except paint and differential.
almost 5 grand. You might find deals on some of the parts, but there will also be little things you end up having to do as well that will add to the cost. I bet it cannot be done for under $4000, unless of course you skip some details.
Now, add to that $4825 the fact your car is a V6 and needs to be converted over to V8. Buying a wrecked V8 car for parts is the cheapest way to do that, so say the swap project costs $1700 for a donor car and another $300 in additional parts. That is at least another $2000.
Add the $2000 to the 4825 in SS stuff and now you have spent $6825 to make your RS into an SS. I bet your car is not even worth that much.
it would cost almost 7 grand to upgrade your car, or just 4 grand to actually buy one and then it would be real! Even if my prices are not completely accurate the difference is too much to overlook. I'm sure you would come out ahead by selling the RS.
Last edited by TraceZ; 07-26-2005 at 09:00 AM.
07-26-2005, 09:25 AM
#48
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Location: Offutt Air Force Base
Posts: 15
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by TABAHR
It would be cheaper once you sold your current car.
If you sell your car for $5000 and buy a SS for $9,000 for example. It cost you $4000 to upgrade. Now compare that $4000 to what it would cost to get all the SS goodies and install them.
hood- $750
spoiler- $300
paint for above- $600
ramair box- $250
rims- $550
tires- $700
exhaust- $500
suspension- $500
differential- $600 installed
floor mats- $30
emblems- $45
the fact it is a *real* SS - priceless (sorry had to say it :P)
add all that up... $4825.
That is with you installing everything yourself, except paint and differential.
almost 5 grand. You might find deals on some of the parts, but there will also be little things you end up having to do as well that will add to the cost. I bet it cannot be done for under $4000, unless of course you skip some details.
Now, add to that $4825 the fact your car is a V6 and needs to be converted over to V8. Buying a wrecked V8 car for parts is the cheapest way to do that, so say the swap project costs $1700 for a donor car and another $300 in additional parts. That is at least another $2000.
Add the $2000 to the 4825 in SS stuff and now you have spent $6825 to make your RS into an SS. I bet your car is not even worth that much.
it would cost almost 7 grand to upgrade your car, or just 4 grand to actually buy one and then it would be real! Even if my prices are not completely accurate the difference is too much to overlook. I'm sure you would come out ahead by selling the RS.
If you sell your car for $5000 and buy a SS for $9,000 for example. It cost you $4000 to upgrade. Now compare that $4000 to what it would cost to get all the SS goodies and install them.
hood- $750
spoiler- $300
paint for above- $600
ramair box- $250
rims- $550
tires- $700
exhaust- $500
suspension- $500
differential- $600 installed
floor mats- $30
emblems- $45
the fact it is a *real* SS - priceless (sorry had to say it :P)
add all that up... $4825.
That is with you installing everything yourself, except paint and differential.
almost 5 grand. You might find deals on some of the parts, but there will also be little things you end up having to do as well that will add to the cost. I bet it cannot be done for under $4000, unless of course you skip some details.
Now, add to that $4825 the fact your car is a V6 and needs to be converted over to V8. Buying a wrecked V8 car for parts is the cheapest way to do that, so say the swap project costs $1700 for a donor car and another $300 in additional parts. That is at least another $2000.
Add the $2000 to the 4825 in SS stuff and now you have spent $6825 to make your RS into an SS. I bet your car is not even worth that much.
it would cost almost 7 grand to upgrade your car, or just 4 grand to actually buy one and then it would be real! Even if my prices are not completely accurate the difference is too much to overlook. I'm sure you would come out ahead by selling the RS.
hood- $500
spoiler-$0 not changing.
paint for above- $0 Father-in-Law will do it for free.
ramair box- $250
rims- $0 Not a priority
tires- $0 Brand New
exhaust- $300 FlowMaster.
suspension- $500
differential- $0 Father-in-Law
floor mats- $0 Are you kidding me!!!
emblems- $50 Custom (not SS)
that adds up to $1600
engine-$400 (with wiring harness and sensors)
Rebuild kit-? haven't talked to F-n-Law
that's a little over $2000...
realizing it is cheaper for me to upgrade instead of buying another car- PRICELESS!!! "sorry had to say it"
07-26-2005, 09:34 AM
#49
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by Thailog81
I have a 96 RS with engine problems. 150,000 miles i would be lucky to get $3000.
hood- $500
spoiler-$0 not changing.
paint for above- $0 Father-in-Law will do it for free.
ramair box- $250
rims- $0 Not a priority
tires- $0 Brand New
exhaust- $300 FlowMaster.
suspension- $500
differential- $0 Father-in-Law
floor mats- $0 Are you kidding me!!!
emblems- $50 Custom (not SS)
that adds up to $1600
engine-$400 (with wiring harness and sensors)
Rebuild kit-? haven't talked to F-n-Law
that's a little over $2000...
realizing it is cheaper for me to upgrade instead of buying another car- PRICELESS!!! "sorry had to say it"
hood- $500
spoiler-$0 not changing.
paint for above- $0 Father-in-Law will do it for free.
ramair box- $250
rims- $0 Not a priority
tires- $0 Brand New
exhaust- $300 FlowMaster.
suspension- $500
differential- $0 Father-in-Law
floor mats- $0 Are you kidding me!!!
emblems- $50 Custom (not SS)
that adds up to $1600
engine-$400 (with wiring harness and sensors)
Rebuild kit-? haven't talked to F-n-Law
that's a little over $2000...
realizing it is cheaper for me to upgrade instead of buying another car- PRICELESS!!! "sorry had to say it"
transmission w/TC
or - clutch
K-member
front springs
gauge cluster
radiator
all hoses
driveshaft
posi/disc brake rearend
crossmember
exhaust manifolds/headers
y-pipe
& too many other little odd and end parts to even think of
07-26-2005, 09:56 AM
#50
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Offutt Air Force Base
Posts: 15
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by TABAHR
You are missing a few things. If you are going to install that $400 engine you will need:
transmission w/TC
or - clutch
K-member
front springs
gauge cluster
radiator
all hoses
driveshaft
posi/disc brake rearend
crossmember
exhaust manifolds/headers
y-pipe
& too many other little odd and end parts to even think of
transmission w/TC
or - clutch
K-member
front springs
gauge cluster
radiator
all hoses
driveshaft
posi/disc brake rearend
crossmember
exhaust manifolds/headers
y-pipe
& too many other little odd and end parts to even think of
I know about the hoses and gauge cluster. The RS has 4 discbraking sys.
Salvage yard should have the driveshaft and cross member. A place in town will do the exhaust.
07-26-2005, 09:58 AM
#51
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by Thailog81
The trans. is the same between the RS and Z-28. It is automatic.
I know about the hoses and gauge cluster. The RS has 4 discbraking sys.
Salvage yard should have the driveshaft and cross member. A place in town will do the exhaust.
I know about the hoses and gauge cluster. The RS has 4 discbraking sys.
Salvage yard should have the driveshaft and cross member. A place in town will do the exhaust.
I've got a good background in V6 - V8 swaps, and you really are better off buying a donor car. All the parts are going to nickel and dime you to death.
You'll need new front springs too, the V6 spring will sag under the extra weight of the V8 and it will constantly bottom out on bumps.
I've been there and done that.
07-26-2005, 10:03 AM
#52
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Offutt Air Force Base
Posts: 15
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by TABAHR
The trans is not the same. The bolt pattern is different. The V6 trans will not bolt up to a V8.
I've got a good background in V6 - V8 swaps, and you really are better off buying a donor car. All the parts are going to nickel and dime you to death.
You'll need new front springs too, the V6 spring will sag under the extra weight of the V8 and it will constantly bottom out on bumps.
I've been there and done that.
I've got a good background in V6 - V8 swaps, and you really are better off buying a donor car. All the parts are going to nickel and dime you to death.
You'll need new front springs too, the V6 spring will sag under the extra weight of the V8 and it will constantly bottom out on bumps.
I've been there and done that.
07-26-2005, 10:09 AM
#53
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by Thailog81
Is it the trans or the bell housing that won't bolt up.
07-26-2005, 10:13 AM
#54
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Noble, OK
Posts: 60
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by TABAHR
It would be cheaper once you sold your current car.
If you sell your car for $5000 and buy a SS for $9,000 for example. It cost you $4000 to upgrade. Now compare that $4000 to what it would cost to get all the SS goodies and install them.
hood- $750
spoiler- $300
paint for above- $600
ramair box- $250
rims- $550
tires- $700
exhaust- $500
suspension- $500
differential- $600 installed
floor mats- $30
emblems- $45
the fact it is a *real* SS - priceless (sorry had to say it :P)
add all that up... $4825.
That is with you installing everything yourself, except paint and differential.
almost 5 grand. You might find deals on some of the parts, but there will also be little things you end up having to do as well that will add to the cost. I bet it cannot be done for under $4000, unless of course you skip some details.
Now, add to that $4825 the fact your car is a V6 and needs to be converted over to V8. Buying a wrecked V8 car for parts is the cheapest way to do that, so say the swap project costs $1700 for a donor car and another $300 in additional parts. That is at least another $2000.
Add the $2000 to the 4825 in SS stuff and now you have spent $6825 to make your RS into an SS. I bet your car is not even worth that much.
it would cost almost 7 grand to upgrade your car, or just 4 grand to actually buy one and then it would be real! Even if my prices are not completely accurate the difference is too much to overlook. I'm sure you would come out ahead by selling the RS.
If you sell your car for $5000 and buy a SS for $9,000 for example. It cost you $4000 to upgrade. Now compare that $4000 to what it would cost to get all the SS goodies and install them.
hood- $750
spoiler- $300
paint for above- $600
ramair box- $250
rims- $550
tires- $700
exhaust- $500
suspension- $500
differential- $600 installed
floor mats- $30
emblems- $45
the fact it is a *real* SS - priceless (sorry had to say it :P)
add all that up... $4825.
That is with you installing everything yourself, except paint and differential.
almost 5 grand. You might find deals on some of the parts, but there will also be little things you end up having to do as well that will add to the cost. I bet it cannot be done for under $4000, unless of course you skip some details.
Now, add to that $4825 the fact your car is a V6 and needs to be converted over to V8. Buying a wrecked V8 car for parts is the cheapest way to do that, so say the swap project costs $1700 for a donor car and another $300 in additional parts. That is at least another $2000.
Add the $2000 to the 4825 in SS stuff and now you have spent $6825 to make your RS into an SS. I bet your car is not even worth that much.
it would cost almost 7 grand to upgrade your car, or just 4 grand to actually buy one and then it would be real! Even if my prices are not completely accurate the difference is too much to overlook. I'm sure you would come out ahead by selling the RS.
We're just doing an engine swap.
07-26-2005, 10:39 AM
#55
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by madcat
We're just doing an engine swap.
You will need many more parts than just the engine and harness. See my above posts. I've done this conversion and all the "surprises" nearly killed me. There are a ton of parts required to convert the V6 to a V8. Plan on replacing litterally every single moving part in the car.
Also, I'm not sure if this was already mentioned but if the V8 is from any car other than a F-body you will also need new accessories and brackets for the front of the motor.
It would really be cheaper to sell that $400 motor, add another $1000 to that and buy a $1400 wrecked Z28. Then you'd have just about everything required for the swap and it might even be fun!
Let me know if you need any more details on the swap and good luck.
07-26-2005, 10:43 AM
#56
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Noble, OK
Posts: 60
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by TABAHR
I picked up on that. The title of the thread mislead me.
You will need many more parts than just the engine and harness. See my above posts. I've done this conversion and all the "surprises" nearly killed me. There are a ton of parts required to convert the V6 to a V8. Plan on replacing litterally every single moving part in the car.
Also, I'm not sure if this was already mentioned but if the V8 is from any car other than a F-body you will also need new accessories and brackets for the front of the motor.
It would really be cheaper to sell that $400 motor, add another $1000 to that and buy a $1400 wrecked Z28. Then you'd have just about everything required for the swap and it might even be fun!
Let me know if you need any more details on the swap and good luck.
You will need many more parts than just the engine and harness. See my above posts. I've done this conversion and all the "surprises" nearly killed me. There are a ton of parts required to convert the V6 to a V8. Plan on replacing litterally every single moving part in the car.
Also, I'm not sure if this was already mentioned but if the V8 is from any car other than a F-body you will also need new accessories and brackets for the front of the motor.
It would really be cheaper to sell that $400 motor, add another $1000 to that and buy a $1400 wrecked Z28. Then you'd have just about everything required for the swap and it might even be fun!
Let me know if you need any more details on the swap and good luck.
07-26-2005, 10:47 AM
#57
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by madcat
I have a place here in oklahoma I found that has everything we need for about $2400 is what they priced me. Thats just a wrecked Z28.
Also, you can sell some of your V6 stuff as well as parts from the wreck after you are done to recoupe a little of the money you spent.
Last edited by TraceZ; 07-26-2005 at 10:52 AM.
07-26-2005, 11:20 AM
#58
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 406
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by Thailog81
Maybe you just don't...
I don't understand how people can spend time fixing thier cars making memories in them and then toss them because they don't want to make an effort to improve them. I could have got a z when i got the RS but i was in school and couldn't afford the v-8 and insurance. Now i don't need another car i got 3 already. The Camaro is no longer my primary means on transportation so it is now a project car.
I don't understand how people can spend time fixing thier cars making memories in them and then toss them because they don't want to make an effort to improve them. I could have got a z when i got the RS but i was in school and couldn't afford the v-8 and insurance. Now i don't need another car i got 3 already. The Camaro is no longer my primary means on transportation so it is now a project car.
I could have gotten a viper instead of the firehawk...just couldnt afford the car or the insurance either.
07-26-2005, 11:31 AM
#60
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madison, Wi
Posts: 1,526
Re: Converting a 96 RS to a SS
Originally Posted by Kraest
You need to install the RPO codes amoung other things...whoops....can't do that 
I agree with Joe.
Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat *ding ding*
I agree with Joe.
Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat *ding ding*