Yo

I can probably find a V6 Firebird pretty cheap... 2k and below in good condition. My friend has found a Crate Engine that comes stock with more hp and torque then the LS1 engine.

Its a 5.7 liter and my friend found out that it should fit in pretty good. He said he'd drop it in for me as long as I bought the tools... which shouldn't be more then 500$. The engine is worh 3500$ so all in all, thats 6k for a really fast Firebird. Problem is... I hate automatics!! I can't stand driving them...

Think it is worth all the labor? I mean, the engine install my friend said isn't to much of a problem. He could do it no problem. He doesn't know how to convert my auto to manual though... so that leaves me hanging. So I would have to go to a shop and have it done professionally... how much would that cost you think? I mean, I could always drive automatic for a little bit, then just convert once I have plenty of cash lying around, ya know?

Is there anything different between the V6's and V8's other then the engines? Suspension, handling, etc... thanks

 

Just get a v8 car... its much easier and you can pick up a used lt1 for about 4-5 k if you look around and spend the other 2 k in mods and bam you have a great car for 6k..

 

What engine is it and what rating of the LS1 are you comparing it to? The factory ratings of the LS1 were closer to RW ratings. All the crate engines I've ever seen are rated at the flywheel. This wouldn't be a very fair comparison.

 

Yo

Well... I hear the LS1 at the flywheel is 345hp and 350lbs of torque right? Or something like that...

The Crate engine was listend at 360hp and 380lbs of torque... 3500$ though... a LS1 is much more expensive as well...

 

it has to be higher than that. The average rwhp I've seen stock is 317 at the wheel, so it's hard to imagine it being 345 at the crank. That's only a 12% (28HP) drivetrain loss.

 

buy a v8....
...just considering the engine, you gotta worry about motor mounts, just because the engine size is near the same....doesn't mean its meant to go in the car the way it is.
...and i'm not sure how hard/easy hooking up all the accessories for a crate engine in our cars is....
...then there's the computer tuning you'll HAVE to do if your working with a v6 firebird.
then there's the suspension you'll want to upgrade, if anything, because you'll then have a heavier engine, therefore necessitating new suspension, at least up front, to supprt it correctly...or at least better than a v6 suspension would.
and then there's your want to change it to a manual.
well, for your crate engine, i'm pretty sure you can't just go out and buy an lt1/ls1 t56 and hook it up...you'd have to find a 6 speed somewhere that the crate engine will work with. and then i don't know how that tranny would mate up with the f-body....


all things considered, just buy an lt1 or ls1 for a little more. get a v8 6-speed. then you can just mod. the fk out of it with that wad of cash you planned on spending on a 6 speed for that v6.
everything will already be there for you...

 

By the way you can get an LS1 for about $3300 at www.texas-speed.com Just thought I'd tell you.



Edit: too bad I just noticed its a short block...sorry bout that

 

This question has been brought up a billion times..there is alot of work and $ invloved in makin a sixer a v8, not just a engine swap...just go get yourself a LS1

 

Buy a V8 car.

Yes, you *can* convert the V6 to a V8, but you have to deal with motor mounts, suspension, weight balance, swapping computer, wiring harness .... the list goes on.

 

Yea but none of us answered his question. Wasn't his question how much would it cost for converting the auto to a manual? I have also always wondered that myself.

Anyone know?

 

if he bought an lt1 or ls1 to go into the car, the question would be a bit easier. cuz then he could also then buy the corresponding t56 to go with it, and he'll know there won't be any fitment problems.

but if he goes with a crate engine, that opens up more variables...