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

one~Bad~SS · 05-05-2014, 12:04 AM

Is it at all possible to do an engine swap from a V6 to a V8? I know they take totally different parts to make them work but would it be worth the time and money? Say I bought a V6 for dirt cheap and did this.....could it work?

alexbarabas · 05-05-2014, 12:13 AM

You're better off selling the car and buying an SS... or just be happy with what you have. You're talking about a nightmare project that doesn't need to happen

sonnydurden · 05-05-2014, 12:22 AM

This should help.. The topic has been discussed before..

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56454

McRat · 05-05-2014, 12:25 AM

Unless there are very specific racing requirements involved, it's almost always cheaper and faster to sell one and get another. This even applies to automatic <> manual swaps.

There is a hidden cost people don't see. When it's time to sell your Frankencar, the resale drops a bunch if it has a engine swap or trans swap.

alexbarabas · 05-05-2014, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRat

Unless there are very specific racing requirements involved, it's almost always cheaper and faster to sell one and get another. This even applies to automatic <> manual swaps.

There is a hidden cost people don't see. When it's time to sell your Frankencar, the resale drops a bunch if it has a engine swap or trans swap.

What he said... I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you have little to no mechanical experience in this area. I would highly recommend just enjoying what you have or trading it for a V8 if that's the route you want to go. There's nothing easy or cheap about this endeavor and you could probably throw your V6 off a bridge (never collect any insurance money) and get a V8 one for cheaper than the swap.

McRat · 05-05-2014, 12:32 AM

But...

This MIGHT be fun stuff in a car that appears to be V6:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Katech-C5-R-...51e83d&vxp=mtr

alexbarabas · 05-05-2014, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McRat

But...

This MIGHT be fun stuff in a car that appears to be V6:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Katech-C5-R-...51e83d&vxp=mtr

Meh, would work better w/ the suspension, brakes, rear end, transmission in an SS.

McRat · 05-05-2014, 12:33 AM

Just add a 200 wet shot to it, and do burnouts at 200mph.

sonnydurden · 05-05-2014, 06:34 AM

Also, I believe those engine swap days are behind us.. Like when I owned 2001 Lexus IS300 with an inline 6 (2JZ-GE), people were dropping the Supra turbo engine (2JZ-GTE) in there with little or no issues. I had a 2003 350Z that threw rod in the 3.5 V6 (VQ) and replaced it with a G35 engine that was less hp and torque, but an easy replacement.. I also owned a 1996 Integra GS-R with a 2000 Type R engine swap.. I think the technology today is too advanced..

McRat · 05-05-2014, 08:33 AM

It CAN be done on late models. But you should have very good reason.

Just to get the double overdrive feature of the next gen of the Duramax platform, I had to:

Replace entire engine. No interchangeable parts.
Replace entire Allison.
Replace ECM.
Replace TCM.
Replace Fusebox.
Replace wiring harness.
Replace Speedometer assy.
Replace turn signal assy.

and probably some stuff I forget. It was MAJOR undertaking.

This was just to go from 2005 to 2006 models. Bodies and suspensions were identical.

Why didn't I swap cars? I already had a $6000 cage welded into the truck, and other expensive changes. I really had no choice.

Forcer · 05-05-2014, 09:37 AM

I've owned my 2010 V6 since i pre-ordered it january of 2009. I was 19 at the time, car cost me 28k. I paid it off a year and a half early this febuary, got tired of having the V6 title...

Found a used 2010 2SS same color as mine with low low miles, swapped all possible mods over, and am now gonna selling V6 and put towards the loan.. best choice ive made.

I've thought about dropping an engine in, but its more problems then blessings... buy one already done.

Livernois Motorsports · 05-05-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexbarabas

You're better off selling the car and buying an SS... or just be happy with what you have. You're talking about a nightmare project that doesn't need to happen

Alexbarabas is correct. With the amount of money that it would take to do the swap you are better off selling your car and getting an SS then modify that.

Ringo64 · 05-05-2014, 11:29 AM

Possible... Yes. Practical... No. Unless you have money pouring out your ears and want a project, go for an SS and if you have money pouring out your ears go for a Z/28

As everyone said, factor in time, price of all parts necessary, etc... Cheaper to trade-in and grab an SS. Something also to mention, obviously is if warranty is important to you there will be none in an engine swapped Camaro, from GM at least. Though if you're modding its irrelevant but just something to think about.

Macrackie · 05-08-2014, 08:43 PM

As for something along the lines of an ls swap it all depends on what you want. I have seen a few bare bones 2010 LS camaros selling on the interweb for alittle over 10k. If you were looking to build a true hot rod or something along the lines of a race car...sheet metal dash, racing seats, no a/c etc...its not that bad of a project. For 20-25k you could probably build that and have something no one else does. If you want everything to work and look just like every other ss then just an ss to start with.

05-05-2014, 12:04 AM	#1
one~Bad~SS Drives: 2011 2SS/RS CGM LS3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Park City, Utah Posts: 525	Engine Swap? Is it at all possible to do an engine swap from a V6 to a V8? I know they take totally different parts to make them work but would it be worth the time and money? Say I bought a V6 for dirt cheap and did this.....could it work?

05-05-2014, 12:25 AM	#4
McRat Drives: 2010 ZR1 "Satan" Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Norco, CA Posts: 1,183	Unless there are very specific racing requirements involved, it's almost always cheaper and faster to sell one and get another. This even applies to automatic <> manual swaps. There is a hidden cost people don't see. When it's time to sell your Frankencar, the resale drops a bunch if it has a engine swap or trans swap. __________________ 2002 Z06 "Blue Meanie" 11.36 ET 2003 Z06 in progress 2009 CTS-V "Spooky" 12.36 ET, bone stock at 1600 mi. Rainy day in Sacramento. Sadness. 2010 ZR1 "Satan" no times yet. 2013 Volt SCCA Solo2 #771 HS3. And a bunch of Duramaxes.

05-05-2014, 12:32 AM	#6
McRat Drives: 2010 ZR1 "Satan" Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Norco, CA Posts: 1,183	But... This MIGHT be fun stuff in a car that appears to be V6: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Katech-C5-R-...51e83d&vxp=mtr __________________ 2002 Z06 "Blue Meanie" 11.36 ET 2003 Z06 in progress 2009 CTS-V "Spooky" 12.36 ET, bone stock at 1600 mi. Rainy day in Sacramento. Sadness. 2010 ZR1 "Satan" no times yet. 2013 Volt SCCA Solo2 #771 HS3. And a bunch of Duramaxes.

05-05-2014, 12:33 AM	#8
McRat Drives: 2010 ZR1 "Satan" Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Norco, CA Posts: 1,183	Just add a 200 wet shot to it, and do burnouts at 200mph. __________________ 2002 Z06 "Blue Meanie" 11.36 ET 2003 Z06 in progress 2009 CTS-V "Spooky" 12.36 ET, bone stock at 1600 mi. Rainy day in Sacramento. Sadness. 2010 ZR1 "Satan" no times yet. 2013 Volt SCCA Solo2 #771 HS3. And a bunch of Duramaxes.

05-05-2014, 08:33 AM	#10
McRat Drives: 2010 ZR1 "Satan" Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Norco, CA Posts: 1,183	It CAN be done on late models. But you should have very good reason. Just to get the double overdrive feature of the next gen of the Duramax platform, I had to: Replace entire engine. No interchangeable parts. Replace entire Allison. Replace ECM. Replace TCM. Replace Fusebox. Replace wiring harness. Replace Speedometer assy. Replace turn signal assy. and probably some stuff I forget. It was MAJOR undertaking. This was just to go from 2005 to 2006 models. Bodies and suspensions were identical. Why didn't I swap cars? I already had a $6000 cage welded into the truck, and other expensive changes. I really had no choice. __________________ 2002 Z06 "Blue Meanie" 11.36 ET 2003 Z06 in progress 2009 CTS-V "Spooky" 12.36 ET, bone stock at 1600 mi. Rainy day in Sacramento. Sadness. 2010 ZR1 "Satan" no times yet. 2013 Volt SCCA Solo2 #771 HS3. And a bunch of Duramaxes.

05-05-2014, 12:13 AM	#2
alexbarabas Drives: 2011 1SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 99	You're better off selling the car and buying an SS... or just be happy with what you have. You're talking about a nightmare project that doesn't need to happen

05-05-2014, 12:22 AM	#3
sonnydurden Drives: ‘16 1SS & ‘19 1LT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 2,086	This should help.. The topic has been discussed before.. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56454

05-05-2014, 06:34 AM	#9
sonnydurden Drives: ‘16 1SS & ‘19 1LT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 2,086	Also, I believe those engine swap days are behind us.. Like when I owned 2001 Lexus IS300 with an inline 6 (2JZ-GE), people were dropping the Supra turbo engine (2JZ-GTE) in there with little or no issues. I had a 2003 350Z that threw rod in the 3.5 V6 (VQ) and replaced it with a G35 engine that was less hp and torque, but an easy replacement.. I also owned a 1996 Integra GS-R with a 2000 Type R engine swap.. I think the technology today is too advanced..

05-05-2014, 09:37 AM	#11
Forcer Drives: 2018 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Omaha, Nebraksa Posts: 1,030 View My Garage	I've owned my 2010 V6 since i pre-ordered it january of 2009. I was 19 at the time, car cost me 28k. I paid it off a year and a half early this febuary, got tired of having the V6 title... Found a used 2010 2SS same color as mine with low low miles, swapped all possible mods over, and am now gonna selling V6 and put towards the loan.. best choice ive made. I've thought about dropping an engine in, but its more problems then blessings... buy one already done.

05-05-2014, 11:29 AM	#13
Ringo64 Forever Pontiac Drives: 2012 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 1,389	Possible... Yes. Practical... No. Unless you have money pouring out your ears and want a project, go for an SS and if you have money pouring out your ears go for a Z/28 As everyone said, factor in time, price of all parts necessary, etc... Cheaper to trade-in and grab an SS. Something also to mention, obviously is if warranty is important to you there will be none in an engine swapped Camaro, from GM at least. Though if you're modding its irrelevant but just something to think about. __________________ Progression thread My Camaro's Grrgd

05-08-2014, 08:43 PM	#14
Macrackie Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Stripper model Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Beloit IL Posts: 641	As for something along the lines of an ls swap it all depends on what you want. I have seen a few bare bones 2010 LS camaros selling on the interweb for alittle over 10k. If you were looking to build a true hot rod or something along the lines of a race car...sheet metal dash, racing seats, no a/c etc...its not that bad of a project. For 20-25k you could probably build that and have something no one else does. If you want everything to work and look just like every other ss then just an ss to start with.