Just bought my first Camaro, an 01 3.8l, auto tranny. Body and interior are in awesome condition. Got a good price for high mileage, 150k+, which left me with money to put into it. A good thing! Pretty sure I just popped a head gasket! Had it towed back to the house, checked it there and the engine is not locked up.......but boy is she smoking and smelling oh so sweet!

Sooo do I get a nice set of built heads and replace, or swap entire engine for another 3.8l? I found the sticky about swaps on these engines. (Excellent section by the way!) I've found a couple sites online that sell the engine. Anyone know a good place? Also, Does the V8 bolt up with the 3.8 auto transmission? I'm a bit confused on this, I've heard it will, but on the other hand also heard that it won't. What's the story?

I'm leaning toward an engine swap, due to the high miles. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

If you have the money, swap the whole thing. No sense in putting a nice set of heads on a worn motor.

 

Read the V6-V8 swap thread,,, no a v8 will not fit your tranny... I would go with the swap but it is alot more work. You could tears yours down in the car but when yur done your just going to have a 150K motor with new heads on it.