Cadillac Swap v6?? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

AshleyOhio · 12-03-2019, 12:42 PM

My 2011 Camaro needed an engine. A Cadillac engine was purchased as a replacement. 3.6L engine, automatic. Why is the Cadillac engine $1K cheaper than the Camaro engine if, according to my husband, it's the exact same engine??? Aside from the oil pan, he says they are identical. He can't seem to explain the price difference and I'm suspicious.

Is this Cadillac engine even going to work in my Camaro?? Or is it going to be a nightmare and he will wish he spent the extra $1K?? I can't find any info about a successful swap. Is that because they don't exist or it's too common to bother discussing??

Greenhornet2 · 12-03-2019, 12:55 PM

If it's the same rpo it's the same engine. Some things might have to be changed over from the old engine to the new, common things are, front cover, oil pan, for different accessories and locations.

VTXrider · 12-03-2019, 01:02 PM

They are both the GM LLT engine, not sure what minor differences their may be but I would expect the differences would not be in the actual engine but perhaps tuning, oil pan as you husband states, and other accessories which probably are not even sold with the engine.

If you buy the short block they are the same. Long block which just means it comes with most of the necessary accessories there may be some differences.

I expect it is just marketing that makes the difference, possibly more people need to replace engines on Camaros than Cadillacs?

mikeman · 12-03-2019, 03:25 PM

You sure they're the same? The Camaro V6 might have different profile cams for more HP.

AshleyOhio · 12-03-2019, 04:18 PM

No, I'm not sure they are the same at all. My husband says they are... I'm going to ask Google right now about hp differences.

VTXrider · 12-04-2019, 08:56 AM

There are slight hp differences but that really means nothing just as when GM increased the the HP from one year to the next (I think that was 2010 to 2011) on the v6 and said there was no change to the engine and that they just under reported the hp the year before.

There probably is a tuning difference and probably some other differences but those are really in things attached to the engine and not the engine itself. They may have difference ECM tunes, oil pan, throttle bodies, exhaust, maybe even cams, ect. except for the cam they are all separate parts and not the engine.

If the Cadillac has a difference cam basically all that likely means is that you may end up with 5-10 less hp but a smoother running engine. Typically a Cadillac would have the engine turned to run smoother and nicer and giving up a couple hp to achieve that.

I doubt it but the only issue I could imagine would be if mounts are different somehow but probably not.

CamaroBarb · 12-04-2019, 09:03 AM

From the info I found all the 3.6 engines are the same except for a oil pans-covers. The difference in HP ratings is in the tune. The Camaros were tuned to the very edge.

Russell James · 12-04-2019, 10:02 AM

Do you have the part number of the engine you are getting?

For reman engines, the CTS and Camaro use the same part number with a note - may have to swap pan. Some of the replacement engines are "partial" and do not include stuff like the intake. Which may be the price diff. I'd bet the content on how complete the engine is accounts for the price diff, vs model.

CamaroBarb · 12-04-2019, 11:29 AM

Seems to me the difference in price is the fact the Camaro engine is rated at more HP. Its only a rating the engines are identical inside. Funny how that works lol.

Greenhornet2 · 12-04-2019, 12:20 PM

So, bottom line, it will work. If it is in the tune, it will have the higher HP as you are already Camaro tuned. I doubt the cams are different for a few HP difference.

Russell James · 12-04-2019, 12:31 PM

Both a CTS and Camaro show the same part numbers for replacement engines. The only price differences I see are; new vs reman or how complete the engine comes. Any HP diff would be from the exh/int/tune.

What are the two part numbers that are a thousand difference?

AshleyOhio · 12-05-2019, 02:09 AM

The thousand dollar difference was at the place my husband found the replacement CTS engine. One was from a Camaro, the other a Cadillac. Similar mileage, identical engines (except the oil pan). Which is maybe where a portion of the price difference comes in? If I didn't have a Camaro oil pan/pick up tube, I would have to buy them. Obviously they are included with the Camaro engine. Maybe that's some of it? I won't lose any more sleep over this. I'm just so happy to hear that it will work in my car. Thank you all so much.

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 12-05-2019, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshleyOhio

The thousand dollar difference was at the place my husband found the replacement CTS engine. One was from a Camaro, the other a Cadillac. Similar mileage, identical engines (except the oil pan). Which is maybe where a portion of the price difference comes in? If I didn't have a Camaro oil pan/pick up tube, I would have to buy them. Obviously they are included with the Camaro engine. Maybe that's some of it? I won't lose any more sleep over this. I'm just so happy to hear that it will work in my car. Thank you all so much.

Good luck with it all, i hope your car is up and running soon.

InFiD3ViL · 12-05-2019, 01:06 PM

Who is doing the swap for you?

12-03-2019, 12:42 PM	#1
AshleyOhio Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Cadillac Swap v6?? My 2011 Camaro needed an engine. A Cadillac engine was purchased as a replacement. 3.6L engine, automatic. Why is the Cadillac engine $1K cheaper than the Camaro engine if, according to my husband, it's the exact same engine??? Aside from the oil pan, he says they are identical. He can't seem to explain the price difference and I'm suspicious. Is this Cadillac engine even going to work in my Camaro?? Or is it going to be a nightmare and he will wish he spent the extra $1K?? I can't find any info about a successful swap. Is that because they don't exist or it's too common to bother discussing??

12-03-2019, 12:55 PM	#2
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	If it's the same rpo it's the same engine. Some things might have to be changed over from the old engine to the new, common things are, front cover, oil pan, for different accessories and locations. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

12-03-2019, 01:02 PM	#3
VTXrider Drives: 2010 RY 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 817	They are both the GM LLT engine, not sure what minor differences their may be but I would expect the differences would not be in the actual engine but perhaps tuning, oil pan as you husband states, and other accessories which probably are not even sold with the engine. If you buy the short block they are the same. Long block which just means it comes with most of the necessary accessories there may be some differences. I expect it is just marketing that makes the difference, possibly more people need to replace engines on Camaros than Cadillacs? __________________

12-04-2019, 08:56 AM	#6
VTXrider Drives: 2010 RY 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 817	There are slight hp differences but that really means nothing just as when GM increased the the HP from one year to the next (I think that was 2010 to 2011) on the v6 and said there was no change to the engine and that they just under reported the hp the year before. There probably is a tuning difference and probably some other differences but those are really in things attached to the engine and not the engine itself. They may have difference ECM tunes, oil pan, throttle bodies, exhaust, maybe even cams, ect. except for the cam they are all separate parts and not the engine. If the Cadillac has a difference cam basically all that likely means is that you may end up with 5-10 less hp but a smoother running engine. Typically a Cadillac would have the engine turned to run smoother and nicer and giving up a couple hp to achieve that. I doubt it but the only issue I could imagine would be if mounts are different somehow but probably not. __________________

12-04-2019, 12:20 PM	#10
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	So, bottom line, it will work. If it is in the tune, it will have the higher HP as you are already Camaro tuned. I doubt the cams are different for a few HP difference. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

12-03-2019, 03:25 PM	#4
mikeman Banned Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: My Garage Posts: 1,125	You sure they're the same? The Camaro V6 might have different profile cams for more HP.

12-03-2019, 04:18 PM	#5
AshleyOhio Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	No, I'm not sure they are the same at all. My husband says they are... I'm going to ask Google right now about hp differences.

12-04-2019, 09:03 AM	#7
CamaroBarb Banned Drives: cheby Camaro Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: usa Posts: 575	From the info I found all the 3.6 engines are the same except for a oil pans-covers. The difference in HP ratings is in the tune. The Camaros were tuned to the very edge.

12-04-2019, 10:02 AM	#8
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	Do you have the part number of the engine you are getting? For reman engines, the CTS and Camaro use the same part number with a note - may have to swap pan. Some of the replacement engines are "partial" and do not include stuff like the intake. Which may be the price diff. I'd bet the content on how complete the engine is accounts for the price diff, vs model.

12-04-2019, 11:29 AM	#9
CamaroBarb Banned Drives: cheby Camaro Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: usa Posts: 575	Seems to me the difference in price is the fact the Camaro engine is rated at more HP. Its only a rating the engines are identical inside. Funny how that works lol.

12-04-2019, 12:31 PM	#11
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	Both a CTS and Camaro show the same part numbers for replacement engines. The only price differences I see are; new vs reman or how complete the engine comes. Any HP diff would be from the exh/int/tune. What are the two part numbers that are a thousand difference?

12-05-2019, 02:09 AM	#12
AshleyOhio Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	The thousand dollar difference was at the place my husband found the replacement CTS engine. One was from a Camaro, the other a Cadillac. Similar mileage, identical engines (except the oil pan). Which is maybe where a portion of the price difference comes in? If I didn't have a Camaro oil pan/pick up tube, I would have to buy them. Obviously they are included with the Camaro engine. Maybe that's some of it? I won't lose any more sleep over this. I'm just so happy to hear that it will work in my car. Thank you all so much.

12-05-2019, 01:06 PM	#14
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,576	Who is doing the swap for you? __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI