I have a Chevy small block I'm rebuilding and wanna know how terrible it would be to try and put it in the Camaro. I think the carburetor might have trouble fitting under the hood. 97 Camaro rs automatic

 

can't find the build that was done doing this. yep you gotta cut the area forward of the windshield to get carb to fit, distributor is also a pain. this is all I got. https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...wap-how-32391/

 

Well I've got two options really, I can rebuild this sbc and put it in or I can get a used low-ish miles 3800 and then I'd rebuild it and maybe put a turbo on it before putting it in. Will the automatic transmission work with the sbc? If it'll work fine and motor mounts aren't difficult to figure out I might not mind a little cutting. My plan is to replace the motor with one that's more reliable (is why I would rebuild a low miles engine) and have more power
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You may have a swap-able bell housing. You will have to look. Most are not. The 3800 has GM standard V6-I4 bolt pattern. Even if you could make it work the V8-V6 share a model number but the parts inside are designed to handle the torque of the engine they were put behind. Most people just buy the V8 sub frame. It would be cheaper to buy a LT1 car that was wrecked in the front and use your clip to repair it. Or find on with a blown motor and build that.

Just my opinion but the mechanical side is the easy part. Your 97 has a Body control module. That controls everything in the car except the lights. AC/power window and locks, anti theft every engine related gage ect ect. that BCM needs a work PCM. You will have to rewire most of the car. One of the guys that did do it spent $500 just in gages and a dash panel. I been on this site for 15 years and I have seen dozens of people start this project and I think three finish it and of those three two said it was a mistake and the third said he would not recommend it but called it a great learning experience. I think it took him a year. This assumes you want a street car. If you are building a race car then your buying a generic wiring harness that starts the engine and maybe a few light.

Now if you want to go fast for cheap find a Engine Transmission out of a Early 2000's 2WD pickup with the computers. You can find customs harnesses to connect your BCM and everything should work. This will take a ton of research. When your done you have a LS 5.3 and most junkyards have a sea of parts for you. Heck even the 6.0's with the 480Le are getting cheap.

 

I got a low miles series 3 from a 06 Buick for 400 bucks https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...-change-80747/

 

100% the best way to get down the road with the most reliable and cheapest car. Basically what I did with my 96 and I drove it for 100K after I was done and still sold it and got 75% of the money I put into it back.

2nd finding a wrecked 97 Z28

3rd https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...v8-swap-78734/

Pretty much everything else you are just using the shell of your car and building the rest.

 

my boy got mine, been driving it for 4 years now without issue. told him just change the oil on time check fluids often and change coolant every 5-6 years or so. I use the green stuff so should be good for over 5-6 years.