1967 6cyl. to V-8 Conversion - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

dpirkey · 12-09-2009, 09:49 AM

Some of my mechanic and body friends say that to convert a 6 to an 8, I would need to replace all the front suspension and if I did that, due to the frame being not as strong, I would also have to beef up the frame.I am assuming that I would need new control arms, coils, etc. Is the frame heavy enough?? I have found a 67 at the right price, but if it is going to cost alot to convert, I may be better to keep looking for an original V-8 car. Those of you that have done this, can you walk me through the major points and where do I get the parts and about how much money to complete the conversion of the suspension?? What is your recommendation?

Stingr69 · 12-09-2009, 10:55 AM

All you would do is MAYBE change the front springs to fix the suspension.

The engine mounts and all the brackets would change, the radiator/shroud may be too small, the crossmember could be on the list depending on what you are building. That is about all the big stuff you need to worry about.

-Mark.

dpirkey · 12-09-2009, 12:41 PM

Is the frame itself the same on a 6cyl. as on an original V-8 car, as far as it's weight, thickness, etc.. I know some bracing is required to keep the extra torque from twisting the fame and breaking the windshield. But, is the frame identical as a V-8 frame??

Stingr69 · 12-09-2009, 02:39 PM

The sub frame is identical. There isn't anything else major to worry about. The semi-unit body construction is the same with a 6 cylinder or a big block. There was a rear axle traction bar mount on the big engine '67 cars but it isn't that big of a deal for a conversion.

-Mark.

Mr Twisty · 12-09-2009, 06:42 PM

EZ swap... Listen to Stingr

SSRich · 01-01-2010, 11:40 AM

u might have to change the coil springs but idk,

my 67 had orginal springs but the ppl had it before i did had torched a couple rings off of it and the car was low so i bought some stock springs and put back under it and it raised it about 3-4 inches.

tbss1 · 01-01-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingr69

All you would do is MAYBE change the front springs to fix the suspension.

The engine mounts and all the brackets would change, the radiator/shroud may be too small, the crossmember could be on the list depending on what you are building. That is about all the big stuff you need to worry about.

-Mark.

exactly

BlackSunsine · 01-01-2010, 02:41 PM

Take lots of pics - Before, during and After. Otherwise you will regret it. I sure do from my rebuild. :-(

AK Mike · 01-01-2010, 03:21 PM

I changed my brother's 6 cyl. '68 Camaro to a 327 Vette engine many years ago; the only thing I needed to change out after the swap was the clutch as we smoked the 6 cyl. clutch on the first road test. Other than that, he drove the car for many years after; just depends on what you want/what you got. The V8 made a 'new' car out of the old base model straight six, that's for sure! Have fun!

YenkoSC · 01-02-2010, 05:16 AM

I am pretty sure the bodies were not different from a 6 cyl to a ZL1 except for the packages. Drop the V8 in and see what happens.

BlackZCamaro · 01-03-2010, 02:37 AM

Change Springs, shocks, Radiator, Fan, Fan shroud, accessory drive mounts (aka Alternator, P/steering, P/steering lines, Smog, Water Pump, etc.) and motor mounts to either SB or BB, whatever size motor you're swapping to. You may want to change your heater box and heater core if you go to a BB platform as well. Rear end components come into play as well if you do decide to step up to a BB platform as well, so heed caution if you're on a budget.

Whatever you do, make sure to research it as much as possible for your swap. There's lots of people who have pulled I6 motors to swap V8s, Just make sure you watch the details and you should be golden.

2ndgenz28 · 01-03-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpirkey

Some of my mechanic and body friends say that to convert a 6 to an 8, I would need to replace all the front suspension and if I did that, due to the frame being not as strong, I would also have to beef up the frame.I am assuming that I would need new control arms, coils, etc. Is the frame heavy enough?? I have found a 67 at the right price, but if it is going to cost alot to convert, I may be better to keep looking for an original V-8 car. Those of you that have done this, can you walk me through the major points and where do I get the parts and about how much money to complete the conversion of the suspension?? What is your recommendation?

WOW that guy say you coming a mile away, and you were his sucker for the day.

No offence but he was trying to rob you form your lack of knowledge.

Id almost let him do it, detial everything, then sue him to get it all free for being a jerk like that.

POWERFREAK · 01-03-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackZCamaro

Change Springs, shocks, Radiator, Fan, Fan shroud, accessory drive mounts (aka Alternator, P/steering, P/steering lines, Smog, Water Pump, etc.) and motor mounts to either SB or BB, whatever size motor you're swapping to. You may want to change your heater box and heater core if you go to a BB platform as well. Rear end components come into play as well if you do decide to step up to a BB platform as well, so heed caution if you're on a budget.

Whatever you do, make sure to research it as much as possible for your swap. There's lots of people who have pulled I6 motors to swap V8s, Just make sure you watch the details and you should be golden.

^^^ I AGREE 100%.

12-09-2009, 09:49 AM	#1
dpirkey Drives: 27,50,52 Chevy,51 M38 Jeep,64 Scout Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baytown Posts: 2	1967 6cyl. to V-8 Conversion Some of my mechanic and body friends say that to convert a 6 to an 8, I would need to replace all the front suspension and if I did that, due to the frame being not as strong, I would also have to beef up the frame.I am assuming that I would need new control arms, coils, etc. Is the frame heavy enough?? I have found a 67 at the right price, but if it is going to cost alot to convert, I may be better to keep looking for an original V-8 car. Those of you that have done this, can you walk me through the major points and where do I get the parts and about how much money to complete the conversion of the suspension?? What is your recommendation?

12-09-2009, 06:42 PM	#5
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,707	EZ swap... Listen to Stingr __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

01-01-2010, 02:41 PM	#8
BlackSunsine Drives: 1967 Custom Camaro Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 5280 Posts: 296 View My Garage	Take lots of pics - Before, during and After. Otherwise you will regret it. I sure do from my rebuild. :-( __________________ Current Cars - 1967 Chevrolet Camaro (1983) 2004 Harley Davidson Road King(2004) Ex 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe (2007) (Totaled Labor Day) 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe (Thursday) 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS(2009) Colorado Fall - Beautiful - Cool - Snow is soon!!!

01-01-2010, 03:21 PM	#9
AK Mike Drives: 1951 Chevy Pickup 2010 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Juneau, Alaska Posts: 396 View My Garage	easy swap I changed my brother's 6 cyl. '68 Camaro to a 327 Vette engine many years ago; the only thing I needed to change out after the swap was the clutch as we smoked the 6 cyl. clutch on the first road test. Other than that, he drove the car for many years after; just depends on what you want/what you got. The V8 made a 'new' car out of the old base model straight six, that's for sure! Have fun!

01-02-2010, 05:16 AM	#10
YenkoSC Drives: 1967 Camaro RS/SS, 1969 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 87	I am pretty sure the bodies were not different from a 6 cyl to a ZL1 except for the packages. Drop the V8 in and see what happens. __________________ First Gen Camaro fanatic

12-09-2009, 10:55 AM	#2
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,847 View My Garage	All you would do is MAYBE change the front springs to fix the suspension. The engine mounts and all the brackets would change, the radiator/shroud may be too small, the crossmember could be on the list depending on what you are building. That is about all the big stuff you need to worry about. -Mark.

12-09-2009, 12:41 PM	#3
dpirkey Drives: 27,50,52 Chevy,51 M38 Jeep,64 Scout Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baytown Posts: 2	Is the frame itself the same on a 6cyl. as on an original V-8 car, as far as it's weight, thickness, etc.. I know some bracing is required to keep the extra torque from twisting the fame and breaking the windshield. But, is the frame identical as a V-8 frame??

12-09-2009, 02:39 PM	#4
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,847 View My Garage	The sub frame is identical. There isn't anything else major to worry about. The semi-unit body construction is the same with a 6 cylinder or a big block. There was a rear axle traction bar mount on the big engine '67 cars but it isn't that big of a deal for a conversion. -Mark.

01-01-2010, 11:40 AM	#6
SSRich Drives: 1967 camaroSS Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: va Posts: 239	u might have to change the coil springs but idk, my 67 had orginal springs but the ppl had it before i did had torched a couple rings off of it and the car was low so i bought some stock springs and put back under it and it raised it about 3-4 inches.

01-03-2010, 02:37 AM	#11
BlackZCamaro No 3rd Gen Lovin. Drives: Seven and counting...... Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 18	Change Springs, shocks, Radiator, Fan, Fan shroud, accessory drive mounts (aka Alternator, P/steering, P/steering lines, Smog, Water Pump, etc.) and motor mounts to either SB or BB, whatever size motor you're swapping to. You may want to change your heater box and heater core if you go to a BB platform as well. Rear end components come into play as well if you do decide to step up to a BB platform as well, so heed caution if you're on a budget. Whatever you do, make sure to research it as much as possible for your swap. There's lots of people who have pulled I6 motors to swap V8s, Just make sure you watch the details and you should be golden. __________________ 1967 SS 396/375, 1969 327/350, 1969 427/450, 1970 350/360 LT1, 1971 LT1 FI/?, 2000 383 FI Z28, 2002 1SC Z28.

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