95 3.4 V-6 build it or swap it?
#1
07-12-2009, 08:16 PM
95 3.4 V-6 build it or swap it?
I got a 95 camaro with a 3.4 V6. got the 5spd tranny. I love this car. but I want more ponies. Ive woke it up a little bit with 8.8 mm plug wires, double platinum plugs, dual exhaust( cat, no muffler), and a k&n filter. What I want to know is, how much power can I get out of the 3.4, or is it just better to do a v8 swap? And if so, whats the best v8 to put in it and what exactly am I gonna have to do to the rest of the car... shocks, rearend, clutch, radiator, computer etc. I also want to keep it fuel injected. dont wanna mess with a carb. If some one could help me out it would be great. thanx
#3
07-12-2009, 10:25 PM
He's right.. Best bet is an LS1 or LT1 swap.. I've seen some moderately used LS1's for around $2k or so.. You could probably find an older LS1 or LT1 on craigslist for $1k or so, or you could find a newer one for around $3-4k... I saw an LT1 w/ 73k miles on it for $1650 on americancamaro.com.. I searched for a 93' Chevy Camaro.
#4
07-12-2009, 11:01 PM
Thanx for the info. What am I gonna need to do to my car for the swap? will my 5 spd hold up with a bigger clutch? and what other components will I need? shocks, radiator, rearend? thanx
#5
07-13-2009, 01:35 AM
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Helens, Oregon
Posts: 2,237
LMAO, a V8 swap will not be cheap. I'm getting tired of hearing that stupid comment thrown around like it's nothing to just toss a V8 in there. You'll need a wiring harnes, pcm, transmission, gauge cluster (possibly a complete dash), radiator, complete front suspension (sway bar, shocks, springs), tranny cross member, exhaust, and that's just a start. Can you do it? Sure. Is it worth it? 99% of the time no.
To get more ponies out of a 3.4, and yes it's possible, your best bet is a top swap. I can't fully detail the how to or components needed off the top of my head. But I do know that it's a hell of a lot cheaper to play with the 3.4 than it is to swap in a V8, even a 3.8 for that matter.
A good read: http://www.fullthrottlev6.com/forums...ead.php?t=6752
e-mail this guy for more detailed info, he lives for the 60* engine: http://www.60inclusive.com/
To get more ponies out of a 3.4, and yes it's possible, your best bet is a top swap. I can't fully detail the how to or components needed off the top of my head. But I do know that it's a hell of a lot cheaper to play with the 3.4 than it is to swap in a V8, even a 3.8 for that matter.
A good read: http://www.fullthrottlev6.com/forums...ead.php?t=6752
e-mail this guy for more detailed info, he lives for the 60* engine: http://www.60inclusive.com/
#7
07-13-2009, 05:29 PM
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Helens, Oregon
Posts: 2,237
If you want the car to handle right, you need the suspension. The springs are stiffer and the sway bar is bigger.
If you somehow find an LT1 with the guage cluster, pcm, complete harness, tranny, and radiator for less than 2000, and granted it has low miles and doesn't need a rebuild, AND the clutch is ok, then I guess it would be possible. But more than likely you are going to need a new clutch (if it's a t56), complete rebuild (there's a reason that engine isn't in the car anymore), and a whole lot of other stuff that you never planned on.
If you somehow find an LT1 with the guage cluster, pcm, complete harness, tranny, and radiator for less than 2000, and granted it has low miles and doesn't need a rebuild, AND the clutch is ok, then I guess it would be possible. But more than likely you are going to need a new clutch (if it's a t56), complete rebuild (there's a reason that engine isn't in the car anymore), and a whole lot of other stuff that you never planned on.
#9
07-13-2009, 05:53 PM
to the OP, putting a bigger clutch in wouldn't help your tranny hold any more power. it would only ensure that your tranny will take a dump (assuming you had the power). besides it wont bolt to the v8
#10
07-13-2009, 06:36 PM
If you want to make real HP you need the V-8 car. If you want to be different and have a fun car to drive then by all means play with the V6. V-8 convertion rarely make sense.
From a money stand point the only time the convertion is worth it is when you have a known good (real good) V-8 car that is wrecked and a decent shop and some knowledge. You can find a V-6 car with a blown motor for next to nothing. Then its worth in as long as you plan on keeping the car. Converted cars just do not sell. In many cases they are worth more parted out then as a whole.
But to take a car that is worth 3K now, spend another 3K and 100 or so hours of work so you can have a car that might be worth 3.5K with a used motor/tranny makes no sense. Sell your car for the 3K, Buy a V-8 car with a blown head gasket for $1500. Pull the motor/tranny get the tranny redone for 1K and buy a Reman long block for $1800 add in $500 for all the misc parts. Total cost of your V-8 with a all new drive line. $4800 minus the 3K you sold your car for, total cost $1800 and a lot less work then the convertion. And you will have a car worth 5K or more.
From a money stand point the only time the convertion is worth it is when you have a known good (real good) V-8 car that is wrecked and a decent shop and some knowledge. You can find a V-6 car with a blown motor for next to nothing. Then its worth in as long as you plan on keeping the car. Converted cars just do not sell. In many cases they are worth more parted out then as a whole.
But to take a car that is worth 3K now, spend another 3K and 100 or so hours of work so you can have a car that might be worth 3.5K with a used motor/tranny makes no sense. Sell your car for the 3K, Buy a V-8 car with a blown head gasket for $1500. Pull the motor/tranny get the tranny redone for 1K and buy a Reman long block for $1800 add in $500 for all the misc parts. Total cost of your V-8 with a all new drive line. $4800 minus the 3K you sold your car for, total cost $1800 and a lot less work then the convertion. And you will have a car worth 5K or more.