hi guys, I'm new here, I'm thinking of swapping my 3.8 l v-6 in my 97 Camaro to a ls1/ls2 corvette engine or a crate engine, i was wondering which would be less work or which is better choice, I've had the car for quite some time, i bought it to learn how to drive a manual a few years back and i fell in love with the car, it just doesn't have enough power. if anyone has any input i would gladly accept it, i'm working on the body work atm, hopefully will get everything body wise finished within the next few months, ok well if any ideas let me know,

Thanks

 

Man, that’s a huge task! You're going to have to swap out a lot more then the motor! And it’s going to be very pricey!!! Hopefully someone will come along and give you a more exact answer! I think you would be better off selling it and getting you a V8 camaro and then go from there.

 

ive done a ****load of work and alot of money has already gone into the car over the past few years, it's my project car so i would like to keep it, everything, and i mean everything is new on the car, i was thinking if it would just be easier to swap out the engine with a v-8 camaro engine and trans, the car has been threw alot with me and being it was my first car i don't really want to sell it, and i won't be able to sell it due to the amount of miles on the chasis, i ahve the reciepts for everything ive done to the car, new 3.8 l v-6 engine, new tranny, new control arms, new drive shaft, new calipers all around + rotors, ect. ive been working on tis car for about 4 years, i have a few finial things that need to be done to make the car in perfect running order, but even with all that done 202k miles isn't a car someone wants. and i'm putting a body kit on it and getting it painted within the next few months. i can get the money back for the engine and trans being they only have 2-3k on them.

 

15 posts and the man can already answer the question correctly!

In order to do the swap it's recommended that you obtain an entire LS1 Camaro for donor parts, you're going to need (at the bare minimum) computer components, wiring components, transmission, K-member etc. It's not an easy or quick task and it's for sure not just "drop it in and you're done." Usually we recommend selling the V6 car and buying a V8 if you want one, it saves you tons of time and probably money.

 

You didn’t say anything about the rear end and I kno that is going to have to be swapped out as well! All I’m saying is it is going to get a whole lot more expensive if this is your plan with the car!!

 

i'm looking foward to the swap, i love working on cars, especially my car, hopefully soon i will be getting a job working with high end cars like Ferrari ect. so i would have alot of lift time.

 

Well if you really want to do, I think a carb'd creat engine would be easier to mess with. You'd still need to replace the stock V6 suspension (spings/shocks). I think the rear end is still a 10 bolt in the V6, so you wouldn't need to replace that, but if you're pushing some power then you might. There are a lot of different tranys that you would be able to bolt up to a crate engine, one that isn't computer controled would make for an easier install.

 

yea my suspension needs to be changed anyway, but i don't know what i want to do right now, just getting some ideas, maybe a supercharger/turbo?
who knows what i'm gonna do to my car, i just want more power, bigger sound, more muscle car feeling. all my friends are into these import cars, i despise them. so i want to work this car,

 

anyone know a good aftermarket parts website i could find turbos and such aftermarket parts for my car?

 

certain sites offer different things at different prices. since you're looking at LSx setups...i'd get ahold of speed inc(www.speedinc.com) and look around their site. they are some good guys and have great customer service.

i agree with everyone that this build WILL BE expensive, but you seem to have your head on straight and seem to know what you're doing, so i say you'd be one of the few i'd urge to tackle this process. keep in mind, we WILL demand pics! haha