2012 Camaro RS V6 to V8 swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

timstanley · 06-06-2015, 01:45 PM

Hello,
About a year ago while I was on a MEU in Japan, my father passed away unexpectedly and I inherited a 2012 Camaro RS stock. Recently I have begun doing small performance modifications myself (throttle body spacer, cool air intake, jet chip, exhaust) but I truly don't know that much about cars all together. I was hoping someone here could give me some insight on what all I would need as far as equipment, what would funtion well together (transmission, radiator, shocks, solid rear axle) and what all I would need to change out, in order for me to swap my v6 with the LS2 or LS3 6.2 v8. I've got a decent bit of money saved and do not want to trade the car because of the sentimental value. I would really appreciate any advice that I could get. My friend knows decent amount about mechanics and would be assisting me on the job. I'm trying to do as much of the work myself as reasonably possible to save on cost as well as gain experience. I understand it isn't the ideal "beginner project" but I am confident in our abilities to at least save a good chunk of cash doing the majority of the work.

Timothy R. Stanley, E5
0311/ USMC

one~Bad~SS · 06-06-2015, 11:02 PM

I say go for it, sounds like it has some significant sentimental value to you and your family, with that being said be ready to be up to your elbows in grease and receipts! For tips, make sure you have the computers that are for the v8 and all necessary suspension upgrades to account for the weight addition.... Good luck and let us know if you in fact try this out!

prichmon · 06-07-2015, 11:58 AM

My dad passed in January and I paid off the note on his 2013 2LT auto. I have been looking at forced induction rather than the v8 swap. I prefer the rush and power of turbos compared to NA engine.

I am in the process of gathering the parts for the 1LE 3.91 LSD swap as a first step.

Da Wiz08 · 06-09-2015, 09:41 AM

is this possible? I also have a V6 Camaro and I want the V8 engine but I seen other forum members saying it is not possible.

one~Bad~SS · 06-09-2015, 11:13 AM

Anything is possible if you have the time and money.

Blazer098 · 06-09-2015, 03:07 PM

Here's the simple answer of what needs to be changed. Everything! If you do it, you're looking at a lot of money and time. Someone has tried this before and ended up quitting halfway after learning all of the wiring would need to be replaced.

TastyBake · 06-09-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timstanley

Hello,
About a year ago while I was on a MEU in Japan, my father passed away unexpectedly and I inherited a 2012 Camaro RS stock. Recently I have begun doing small performance modifications myself (throttle body spacer, cool air intake, jet chip, exhaust) but I truly don't know that much about cars all together. I was hoping someone here could give me some insight on what all I would need as far as equipment, what would funtion well together (transmission, radiator, shocks, solid rear axle) and what all I would need to change out, in order for me to swap my v6 with the LS2 or LS3 6.2 v8. I've got a decent bit of money saved and do not want to trade the car because of the sentimental value. I would really appreciate any advice that I could get. My friend knows decent amount about mechanics and would be assisting me on the job. I'm trying to do as much of the work myself as reasonably possible to save on cost as well as gain experience. I understand it isn't the ideal "beginner project" but I am confident in our abilities to at least save a good chunk of cash doing the majority of the work.

Timothy R. Stanley, E5
0311/ USMC

I've seen that thread too. The list was huge, impractical, and they needed to replace everything as mentioned. You can do a search to find it. Everyone's been saying that its most cost effective to just trade up to an SS.

Since you're not trading, I strongly recommend adding a turbo or S/C kit. It will run $6-7k but you will have more hp and better mpg than a stock SS. See the force induction V6 section for more info.

13White1LE · 06-09-2015, 03:56 PM

Most of the time the effect and the cost out way the opition of just finding a v8 car and selling the v6 car. Now for a v8 swap it is a whole lot cheap to find a donor car that is cosmetically damaged and swap everything that is different. The major items like the drivetrain, brakes, and cooling are the most important items but not everyone gets them all.

Da Wiz08 · 06-09-2015, 04:54 PM

i saw the posts, i'll stick to my v6 =]

chevy 3 · 06-09-2015, 05:42 PM

Do a turbo or procharger and most of all do some suspension upgrades.

iheartnikes · 06-14-2015, 11:56 AM

Doing an engine swap from a V6 to a V8 is possible the engine bay has more then enough space to fit a V8. Ive looked into this for My V6 RS the cost is about 10k maybe more but i figured why not live out this V6 and once its had its good run then ill get the V8

06-06-2015, 01:45 PM	#1
timstanley Drives: 2012 Camaro RS Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: United States Posts: 6	2012 Camaro RS V6 to V8 swap Hello, About a year ago while I was on a MEU in Japan, my father passed away unexpectedly and I inherited a 2012 Camaro RS stock. Recently I have begun doing small performance modifications myself (throttle body spacer, cool air intake, jet chip, exhaust) but I truly don't know that much about cars all together. I was hoping someone here could give me some insight on what all I would need as far as equipment, what would funtion well together (transmission, radiator, shocks, solid rear axle) and what all I would need to change out, in order for me to swap my v6 with the LS2 or LS3 6.2 v8. I've got a decent bit of money saved and do not want to trade the car because of the sentimental value. I would really appreciate any advice that I could get. My friend knows decent amount about mechanics and would be assisting me on the job. I'm trying to do as much of the work myself as reasonably possible to save on cost as well as gain experience. I understand it isn't the ideal "beginner project" but I am confident in our abilities to at least save a good chunk of cash doing the majority of the work. Timothy R. Stanley, E5 0311/ USMC

06-09-2015, 03:07 PM	#6
Blazer098 Drives: 2015 Summit White SS Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Oregon City, OR Posts: 357 View My Garage	Here's the simple answer of what needs to be changed. Everything! If you do it, you're looking at a lot of money and time. Someone has tried this before and ended up quitting halfway after learning all of the wiring would need to be replaced. __________________ Full Bolt-Ons w/ Nightfury Cam (471rwhp)

06-09-2015, 03:56 PM	#8
13White1LE Drives: 2013 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Homestead Posts: 54	Most of the time the effect and the cost out way the opition of just finding a v8 car and selling the v6 car. Now for a v8 swap it is a whole lot cheap to find a donor car that is cosmetically damaged and swap everything that is different. The major items like the drivetrain, brakes, and cooling are the most important items but not everyone gets them all. __________________ "ah hell you can always make more money!" - dad " its no fun going slow!" '13 2SS 1LE NAV, LT, CAI, Tune with 447RWHP before new lungs, Billy Boat exhaust 3" Fusion.

06-06-2015, 11:02 PM	#2
one~Bad~SS Drives: 2011 2SS/RS CGM LS3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Park City, Utah Posts: 525	I say go for it, sounds like it has some significant sentimental value to you and your family, with that being said be ready to be up to your elbows in grease and receipts! For tips, make sure you have the computers that are for the v8 and all necessary suspension upgrades to account for the weight addition.... Good luck and let us know if you in fact try this out!

06-07-2015, 11:58 AM	#3
prichmon Drives: 2013 camaro 1lt Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Huntington wv Posts: 42	My dad passed in January and I paid off the note on his 2013 2LT auto. I have been looking at forced induction rather than the v8 swap. I prefer the rush and power of turbos compared to NA engine. I am in the process of gathering the parts for the 1LE 3.91 LSD swap as a first step.

06-09-2015, 09:41 AM	#4
Da Wiz08 Drives: 2013 silver camaro LT Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Miami Posts: 52 View My Garage	is this possible? I also have a V6 Camaro and I want the V8 engine but I seen other forum members saying it is not possible.

06-09-2015, 11:13 AM	#5
one~Bad~SS Drives: 2011 2SS/RS CGM LS3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Park City, Utah Posts: 525	Anything is possible if you have the time and money.

06-09-2015, 04:54 PM	#9
Da Wiz08 Drives: 2013 silver camaro LT Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Miami Posts: 52 View My Garage	i saw the posts, i'll stick to my v6 =]

06-09-2015, 05:42 PM	#10
chevy 3 NEcamaro5 Drives: Black 2ss rs 1LE Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: mass Posts: 4,329 View My Garage	Do a turbo or procharger and most of all do some suspension upgrades.

06-14-2015, 11:56 AM	#11
iheartnikes Drives: 2012 2LT RS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: New York NY Posts: 78	Doing an engine swap from a V6 to a V8 is possible the engine bay has more then enough space to fit a V8. Ive looked into this for My V6 RS the cost is about 10k maybe more but i figured why not live out this V6 and once its had its good run then ill get the V8