I love camaros and have wanted an F body since I was 10. On my 16th birthday my dream came true and I got a 2002 V6. I love the car, but now it is a year later and looks don't interest me like they used to. I need speed as well. I am wanting to change my car from a V6 to a V8. I know the practical thing would be to sell the car and go buy on older model V8. However, I don't have the money to pay the insurance on a V8 so I'm probably not going to report the change in engines to insurance. And 2 I have already spent a large sum of money on audio equipment (DVD player, componet sets, subs, amp). I was wondering if anyone could answer a very important question for me. I need to know what parts I will need to convert my car form a flashy V6 to a true headturning V8 LS1. I know the basics and my friend is a car expert on doing the work. But, all we could determine we would need is Engine, Transmission, Wiring harness, Computer, Engine mounts, Engine harness, Fuel tank, Front Springs (obviously the V8 is heavier). I'm not so sure about what else I would need maybe exhaust, fuel injector, and throttle body, If you know anything about what parts I would need or can put me in contact with someone who would I would greatly appreciate it. you can e-mail me at Seabass04@aol.com Thanks in advance.
Brett

 

You wont be able to re use any of the v6 engine parts..

You need a complete motor from air box to the manifolds. a complete harness and computer.. tranny.. drivetrain, fuel system.. everything..

its not practical at all... youl spend the same doin the swap as you would if you bought one including insuance for a year

 

what exactly is the drive train? and what part of the fuel system? are you talkin about the fuel pump and fuel injector? i know it isn't practical but i have my reasons for doing it. dad wants it done this way. something about me knowing about my car and he wants the parts new for warranty reasons. so buying a wrecked LS1 and just swapping parts is out of question i already tried. and when dad says something i don't ask why or come up with ways around it i just do it. i am getting a deal on the parts through a friend of my dads; however we don't know the parts required. dad wants me to do the research on it because it will show to him how bad i want it. and if i prove to him that i want it bad enough he will help pay for the parts. so if you could please supply any information on the parts i would need i would greatly appricate it. thank you
Brett

 

actually, he is right, just get everything you would need for an LS1.. The entire engine, transmission and rear end (drivetrain is the tranny and rear with the drive shaft if i am not mistaken)..

I actually think that if you were to get a complete engine.. from computer to all the cable and clips needed to make an ls1 engine run, you would surpass the cost of the car.. it isnt cost effective and unless you get it installed properly there goes your "warranty"..

I have seen LS1 engines and trannys going for (on a safe side) $3500.. When I recently just priced out cruise control alone it was at $750 (about $350 if you have a connection)..

I really dont think it would be wise.. just for grins.. go to any chevy dealer and ask him for the price of a crate motor LS1, a computer for an LS1 and the tranny.. that will tell you how much the parts are retail with "warranty"..


I have seen motors going for $1500 tho.. so you can buy two used ones and still be cheaper than getting a new one..


Your dad seems very unrealistic unless you have loads of cash to waste...
but if you did, i dont think you would be trying to "fool" the insurance company..

 

If you want speed, then you should just get a supercharger, it would add up to about the same horsepower as a Z28, or a cheaper alternative would be robvas' opinion of getting N20. But 3800V6 to LS1 would be very expensive.

 

Actually the fuel tank is the same, but thats about it. It would still be more economical to sell it and buy a Z28 and pay the insurance plus if something happened in the Z28 you wouldn't be accused of insurance fraud.

 

Dude, try to be different and make yours one bad *** V-6. I know I don't have much room to talk about this since I have a V-8 but there are parts out there for the v-6 to increase performance. There was a company that makes a super charger kit for the car, plus put on some freer flowing exhaust to get a better sound. You can change the ratio on the rocker arms, and maybe get the heads reworked. My point is there is a way to make one cool v-6. It will cost less, be more practical, and still be able to get the insurance company to fix the car after you wreck it from the new found power, which I am sure they wouldn't do if you do a swap. I say look hard for performance part and invest the money wisely and you could be taking down some unsuspecting Z some night. Good luck on what ever you but I would stay away from the swap.

 

trust me dude from someone that works for an insurance company your not going to fool them I.E. we saved 48,000,000
in 2002 by doing something called investigating claims thats only in 5 states

 

You probably don't want to hear this but I agree, make your car a bad-*** V6. My wife also has a V6 Camaro and I would really like to get her some addtional power. Have you checked out the GM3800 PowerPak at supersixmotorsports. Throw in a supercharger and your V6 is running with the Zs and eating up the 4.6 stangs. But if you're looking for the Z28 mystique you have to buy a Z28. Just like my Z28 will never be an SS.

 

Coming from a former V6 owner(2000 3.8 Camaro), I know how you feel. You just don't get anywhere near the same power, sound, and prestige that you would out of a V8. The ONLY way to really go fast in a V6 F-body is to spray it. Even then, your only keeping up with "stock" LT1's/LS1's depending upon how extreme your set-up is(what your car can handle). And superchargers, forget it(big waste of $$$ on a V6). After blowing over $2,000 on peformance parts, I learned the hard way.

However, with that all said, it is NOT worth it to try and do this swap. If you've got that much money to do a complete overhaul of your car, I don't see why you can't just trade it in or sell it privately in order to get an F-body that is already V8 equipped. I understand about your father not trusting a "used" car, but there are actually some very nice/mint vehicles out there for the taking that will turn out to be waaaaay more reliable than your transplanted Firebird. And as another option, if you really do have that much money to do this swap, you should consider a cheap 93-95 LT1 F-body as a second car that could be your project or toy in addition to your daily-driven V6. They can be had for a good $4,000-$6,000 depending upon year, condition, and mileage. Then have your dad put the car under his name for insurance purposes which will make it a lot cheaper for "you" to pay insurance.

If worst comes to worst, just wait until you graduate from college or move out, then you can finally get the V8. I mean, your only 17!

Mike

2002 M6 Z28

 

Hmmm... that sounds so familiar to me.. hehe.

Listen to them man.. I had 6 different v6 Fbodys before I got my SS, and my last v6er I worked my tail off to modify so it could be a fast v6. Of course I couldnt afford N2O or a SC so it was never fast enough. I like the suggestion of buying a 93-95 LT1 Z28 as a second car. If your dad wants you to learn about cars that is great, I think everyone should know about cars, but you if you buy an older LT1 and it messes up you can fix it. When you fix it you will learn a lot about it, and in the mean time still have a reliable daily driver that looks just as cool. Do you think all us LT1/LS1 guys like having to drive our cars as a daily driver? I know I dont, I would love to have a beater for daily driving. I love driving my SS, but I dont like putting all the miles on it and taking the chance that some idiot might hit it or even ding it in a parking lot. What ever you decide.. good luck!

 

I agree, my last Camaro was a Blown V6. It was fun to drive. But nothing compares to a V8.

 

Hmm, I would have to say that I love to drive my car and hate driving anything else. I would rather risk the damage than to drive a car I loathe.. I bought my car for the purpose of driving it and enjoying every moment possible in it. If today was your last day on earth, which car would you want to drive? Now, when is YOUR last day?

 

Here is what Im not getting. Correct me if im wrong, but youve been a fan of the F-body since you were 10. Then anyone who wants one of these cars for 7 years must have read somewhere along the line how much faster a Z28 is over a V6. Now obviously from what you say about your dad he has a big hand in this project. Now over these 7 years why didnt you mention to your dad that for a lot less money he could have bought you a Z28 for your b-day opposed to a v6 engine swap?

 

Good thought PsychoC. I love to drive mine everyday (the '02), the '95Z is fun to get into sometimes and looks bada$$, but the LS1 is much nicer. Live each day to the fullest, could be your last like PyschoC said.

And the original topic, I agree better to buy and old LT1 and redo the engine or by a remanufactored/boosted engine if it is shot. Look for a blown engine in a '95, the year most like for mods. You will get lots of mechanic practice on an older Z to make Dad proud. Later>>>>>>>>>>