I have an 97 camaro with a 3800 series 2 motor the motor is knocking, I was wondering how had it would be to swap in a gen1 v8 it is a five speed car so I doubt the bell housing will work but I don't know much about the 4th gens.... Any help is appreciative, thanks

 

its been done many times easiest is to use a carborated motor u might have to modify the kmember along with the cowl under the windsheild. also might want to use a trans that is for that motor. then your gonna need to deal with all the gauges and all.

 

Done many times? Not really.

There's a lot to swapping a V8 carb engine into where a V6 once was. To name a few things, you'll need springs, trans, engine, dual plane mani, carb, mech. guages, AC delete (or retrofit something), driveline for the different trans, fuel regulator for the carb, the list continues far after this. And you will also have to modify your cowl to fit the carb, and most likely will need a tall cowl hood. Is it possible? Yes. Is it worth it? Depends how big your wallet is.

 

Thanks, I know the v6 is in the firewall for weight distribution so it's probably a good guess that the motor mounts aren't going to work

 

with 4 kids it isn't that big especially with a 82' Z28 project going on too sounds like I'll just go back with a 3800 anyone know were to get a good one?

 

Craig's list!

 

My general recommendation is to get a junkyard v6 and rebuild it. If you go this route, a fwd N/A 3800 series 2 v6 is the same as a rwd, except for a few things. You'll have to use your upper and lower intake mani's, fuel rail, oil pan, and accessories. But the block, insides, and heads are the same. the 3.8's can be had from a wrecking yard for a few hundred.

 

thanks for the input, that's good to know so as long as it's a 3.8 series 2 the block should be the same even if it's not out of a camaro or firebird

 

if you are going to do a v8 swap then carb is definitly the way to go.
its really not that difficult. get a new kmember and front springs, an inline fuel pump, a spark control, tranny, and go

 

There's fabbing to do to get it to fit height wise. Also don't forget about the distributor being on the back of the engine. I think the easiest way to do a V8 swap is to get a donor vehicle that is the same year as the one you have. That gives you the dash, wiring harnes, k member, springs, and all the other little goodies.