hello, i have just purchased a 1995 camaro from my dad. its a v6 and it has 174,000 miles on it. it is a very clean car, but the motor is about shot. it has the 3.4 that came standard for that year as you all know. right now i have a rod knockin, and i think i have a blown head gasket. i want to get a v8, but i dont have much cash right now so i dont know what i should do. i want to know what you think about doin an even swap or getting the v8 as far as cash. help me out.

 

you cant just drop in a v8.

the only thing you can do is find a 94-97 LT1 out of a z28 or ss (93's are weird)
BUT you will also need the trans, all suspention, rear end, brakes and computer. so its not an easy task and very expensive, as you said your broke so..............?

 

welcome to the camaro family. and i agree...its hard to do an engine swap on an empty wallet.

 

It can be done. The weight gain wont necessarily mean you need to get all the other stuff replaced.... but eventually you should to get a comfortable ride and proper handling. I recommend setting a budget and get the things you will need slowly over time, start with the mill and go from there. There is plenty of knowledge on this forums to help with ideas and advice. You will need a computer as well. The headers (or stock exhaust) will need replacing too, so as stated above, its not as simple as just getting a V8 and droping it in but it can be done. Good luck.

it might be easier on you and your wallet to just fix whats wrong now and save up for more later.

 

thanks for the post. how should i go about fixing my problems. i have a rod knocking and i have coolent leeking. also when the car is warm the oil pressure drops. but the whole reason i got the car is that it is just too damn cherry in every other way.

 

You could get a rebuilt 2,4 short block and refresh the heads, or get a completely rebuilt engine, and you will a new 3.4. Much cheaper and simpler than swapping the V6 for a V8. Due to the mileage, just fixing the knock is not Worth it, as something else is bound to let go.

 

where is the best place to look for a rebuilt or new 3.4 for my car?

 

Welcome to the forum, fixing the knock can be done but like said above, something else will let go within time. The head gasket is easy, hoping you didn't over heat it, and hoping the oil doesn't look like milk yet, it can be as simple as pull the head, clean it up, and slap on a new gasket. Sounds harder than it is, but the knock...errr... I hate knocks... good luck and let us know how it goes. Are you going to be working on it with your dad or taking it to a shop?.