I was wondering, I'm going off to the Army for 5 years and should have plenty of money when I get to my first duty station. I really like my 96 purple camaro, and after all the money that i've put into the car. I really don't want to just sell it and try to find a Z28 or SS, so here's my dilemma. On a scale of 1-10, how hard would it be to fit an LS1, or LT1 into the car. I really want the V8, and possibly a manual transmission, but that would be a little harder. I know that I'd have to find a new ECU, and hang pedals and stuff like that. But is it possible to drop an 8 into the car?



Thanks

 

LT1 would be the way to go. It's possible, the cheapest route would be to find a donor car, you will need basically need everything off the LT1 car (fuel, computer, harness, motor mounts, k member, transmission or at least the trans bellhousing)

THE CHEAPEST and EASIEST route would be to buy a 93-97 Z28, you can pick one up for pretty cheap

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the LT1's and the LS1's have the exact same motor mounts? therefore, wouldn't it be the same difficulty to drop either motor in?

 

Not sure, LT1 is easier from what I've been told, plus you can find a LT1 w/ trans alot cheaper than a LS1 w/ trans

Either way buying a early Z will be cheaper

 

He's exactly right. Parts and pieces wouldn't be so much the problem, it would be finding the time, or having the money to allow someone to do it. Time is money, and this would be a timely project for a do-it-yourselfer. The easiest route is to buy an early 4th generation Z and be happy. Other than that, enjoy the V6, because it offers the best of both worlds: A sports like car with pretty good fuel milage given what it is. I bought mine with those two outlooks and I can honestly say I'm MUCH happier when it comes to the pump and the insurance payment. I may not be able to beat a Cobra or anything, but then again, I have nothing to prove.

 

Can you make 6's quick? I mean, I just took a girl to prom..and her mom let me drive her corvette (not a Z06, but still in my eyes..amazing) So, needless to say, that Vette was easily the fastest car I've ever been in. Driving every other seem's sooo slow now. My ultimate goal is to own a car that quick, and I love the body style of the Camaro, so Can you actually "soup" a V6 up to be that fast? I pretty much have it set in my head that a V8 will blow a mildly souped up V6 away.

thanks for answering these questions so quickly

 

Well of course a V8 would tear the V6 up. But there are a number of mods you can do to the V6. Check the top of the forum, there's a modification guide sticky. I have flowmasters on my car, a high flow cat, etc. There are air intake systems, and much more. You can even get into internals if you'd like to go that far.

 

Yes you can make a V6 quick, at the top of the V6 section is a sticky that lists a bunch of 'bolt-on' mods and where to get them.

You can make a V6 just as fast as a LT1 for only about $4,000 lol (or any V8 with enough time and money).

I've looked into alot of stuff, PM me if you have any questions

 

I was gonna swap my 454 that I had from another car into mine, then started talking to people and doing the math... seems like an engine swap isnt worth the extreme time and the extreme money you gotta put into it... if the car is running well right now dont waste your time.