Alright I got the point of that cartoon and all and I understand theres alot of other stuff that goes along with swaping engines but I think I definitely want to do it as a long term project to help maintain my sanity as I enter the doorsteps of becoming a full fledged adult. I am currently the owner of a 2001 V6 convertible who is fondly attached to his camaro. When it is time for me to buy a new car I do not want to trade in my camaro. Instead I want to keep it, restore it, upgrade it, and take it on weekend summer cruises when I am old and gray. I probably should have gotten the V8 but since I was a sophmore in college and money was kind of tight, I settled for a V6 instead. My engine currently has over 100,000 miles on it. My question is, if I want to swap the engine, what is the the best engine for the best price I should get? I know there are plenty out there but I am clueless as to which one! If anybody can give suggestions I will be very thankful! And if someone knows or can give me a ballpark estimate of the cost thatd be cool too!

 

i guess the logical choise would be the ls6. they run 7 to 8 g's for a crate motor.

 

Yep, I'd say ls2 or ls6. ls7 is way too expensive, and the ls1 isn't really worth the money since neither the ls2 nor the ls6 would be greatly more expensive.

 

theres on a website i went to
small block 383 with 474hp and 450 ft of torque for $3,988
small block 408 with 510hp and 500 ft of torque for $4,784
small block 408 with 530hp and 530 ft of torque for $5,725
small block 408 with 575hp and 525 ft of torque for $5,999

 

This all depends on what you want when your done and are you going to be doing the work? That will have a huge impact on the cost. Cheapest and easiest thing to do is to find a low miles wrecked 01. Pull the motor and trans and get both rebuilt. You will have about 8K in between the doner car the the rebuilds IF you do the install. The other above quotes do not address the transmission, frame, wiring harness, Etc,,

This is why we say it does not make sence. Right now your 01 is worth $4000. If you traded it for a low miles 02 SS you would have to come out of pocket with about 7.5K. And you will own a car worth about 11.5K that many collectors would love to have or you can put 8K and about 100 hours of work plus buy lord knows how many tools. When you done you would have a tuff time getting $6000 for the converted car that very few people would even look at.

Generally the only time this convertion is worth it is when you already have the wrecked V8 in good shape and you buy a V-6 with a blow motor. This way you are looking at very little cash out it all labor. But to tear apart a fairly valuble car just does not make sence.

 

i would do a ls1 swap its what i should have done with mine and still might down the road i put the 383 in because i had it it was built for another car that i am now selling ls1is a strong motor saw some today with little mods pushing over 400hp on dyno there getting over 400ci out of them if you really want to go crazy with it

 

I'm with Gorn on this one,trade it in on a Z28 or SS.
Forget about the sentimental value,you'll be way money and time/work ahead.
As soon as you drive off in the new car you'll forget all about any thought of regret at letting your baby go,your new baby will be instant love lol.