2012 Camaro RS V6 to V8 swap

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by timstanley

I looked into superchargers and turbos. The only reason I hesitate is because I'm not 100% sure my block can handle it without completely rebuilding the engine

You can put a turbo charger on it and rebuild the engine several times over and still come out cheaper than doing a V6 to V8 swap in these cars.

[lawman007]

Hi Sarge!

I think you can swap the V8 with the V6, but you need to do a tranny change, suspension change and rear end and shocks and coils. Don't forget the tires, when you go faster you need the proper rated tires to take the higher performance. Don't forget the radiator. the computer and pretty much anything drivetrain related.

I am a USN Vet, I served with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th MarDivs. It was a blast(get it?). Been to Camp Pendleton, Lejeune, Smith, Smedley, Johnson, Butler, NTA(Okinawa), South Korea(TeamSpirit), 29 Palms, MCAS El Toro(ASVAB), MCAS Miramar(when it was TopGun and Hawkeye Country) And also Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A lot happens in a 4-5 year span. They called me "Doc" Lawson, I was Echo-three-Lima on the horn.
Troy Lawson

[maddoggyusa]

If money is no object, I think you could buy a V8 donor car and swap out the whole drivetrain & suspension. The only issue might be getting the ECM reprogrammed for the correct VIN.

But yea this is a huge undertaking and not for the feint if heart. I would just enjoy the car... That's what Dad chose so drive it.

[i2disturbedSS]

Originally Posted by Comrando

I got lost at PawPaw. Is that some animal?

Father, Dad, Pops,...ect

[Da Mammer]

sorry bud but this swap has been tried before. I can send you links to two different occasions. First one the guy put about 40k INTO DOING THE SWAP(at which point you could buy a second Camaro with a v8 and still have 20k leftover), the other guy is on here, and he learned the hard way as it hasn't turned out so well for him. I tried to warn him too, So please stop and hear me out when I say: please don't do it.


You would literally need a donor v8 car from the SAME YEAR. And have to swap EVERY THING. Take it down to bare metal. Take the interior out, take the whole suspension and k member out, rear subframe, gas tank, dash, computer/wiring harnesses, every thing, no skipping steps or you'll come back to it later. Then replace it with all that from the v8 car. its not a beginner swap, it's not an intermediate swap, it's an expert level where you're going to have more wtf moments than you care to. I've done a v6->v8 swap on an 86 Camaro with a 91 donor v8, and it was a nightmare. And it isn't even half the issues you're going to run into with trying it on today's cars. The vin number is embedded to all the modules, and if they don't match the car won't even start and they are different from year to year, v6 to v8.

In link 1, my suggestion is to read the last few pages where HE learns how hard it is to do. You see a lot of encouragement and hope until he hits a wall. he started with the same mindset you are in of "how hard can it be?"

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372105

Link 2 is the mechanic who helped a guy in another country do it. Just read all his troubles. Take in mind He's a professional with access to all data and tools and resources you don't, AND his is the first and only case of (successfully) doing this v6 to v8 anybody on camaro5.com can find. it's that much of a pain in the ass.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373197

I know about the power bug. I have it. And I've got stupid money into my vehicles because of it, and I know about sentimental value. Just remember the car was bought as a v6, your father chose a v6, how much sentimental value would it be if the only thing left original to it is the body. Personally I think the power adder is the way to go. Build the engine, boost it, spray it, bolt ons, whatever you wanna do, but stick with the v6 and enjoy it. It will save you thousands of dollars, a bunch of time, energy, effort, and headache.

[timstanley]

Originally Posted by Red2014SS

I agree with the others. The money you spend on installing a V8 could be spent upgrading your V6 into a car that's faster than a stock SS.

The worst possible outcome would be that you get the car apart and realize that you can't do the swap... then it sits there as a basketcase... then you've messed up the car your Dad left behind. You can do engine and suspension upgrades and turn that car into a V8 killer. You'll learn lot in the process, be able to drive the car and have fun at the same time.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

You're right. I talked to someone else who did the swap and they say it's extremely unpractical. I'll just look into rebuilding the engine, swap the transmission and drive shaft, then throw a super charger or twin turbos with a tuner kit on it. I don't want to end up destroying the car. Thank you all for your input. It actually helped a lot

[Criticalmass]

Originally Posted by timstanley

I looked into superchargers and turbos. The only reason I hesitate is because I'm not 100% sure my block can handle it without completely rebuilding the engine

An engine build and a supercharger would still be cheaper over a V8 swap.

[102SS]

Originally Posted by timstanley

I understand that but back to the sentimental value. It was the last car my dad had so I'll spend what I need to in order improve what I have

Take a picture and trade it.

Another guy tried this swap and it was a fail.

[MCSarge]

Timothy R. Stanley, E5 0311/ USMC, Good advice given here and it sounds like you might have a good project starting. Sorry for the loss of your father.

Semper Fi

[christianchevell]

Also the thought is you did not mention if it is a 1LS 2LS or 1LT or 2LT and if its a manual or a automatic. Some v-6 have the same rear end as a SS and would be good if you had that rear, and you could build it with higher gear ratio and enjoy a heck of a kick in the pants. Good Luck

[JR 1]

Originally Posted by timstanley

You're right. I talked to someone else who did the swap and they say it's extremely unpractical. I'll just look into rebuilding the engine, swap the transmission and drive shaft, then throw a super charger or twin turbos with a tuner kit on it. I don't want to end up destroying the car. Thank you all for your input. It actually helped a lot

You made a wise decision. Good luck with your mods!

[JantzenOKC]

Originally Posted by timstanley

You're right. I talked to someone else who did the swap and they say it's extremely unpractical. I'll just look into rebuilding the engine, swap the transmission and drive shaft, then throw a super charger or twin turbos with a tuner kit on it. I don't want to end up destroying the car. Thank you all for your input. It actually helped a lot

You don't need to do any of that, just throw a turbo kit on it and go.

[EFI]

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

If you don't know much about cars you would be foolish to attempt an actual engine/powertrain swap in your backyard. Especially one where it isn't a cut and dry direct swap.

An engine removal and re-install (with a direct replacement) is tedious enough even for a professional. The same job where you're taking one engine out and replacing it with something completely different is going to be hard for said professional, much less a complete newbie as yourself.

There are other ways to get power out of the V6. Or if you're deadset on the V8, prepare to spend lots of money at a pro shop.

[ERRUD]

So... No one here really knows? If I have a bad 3.6L in my 2010... Let's say blew a rod or two... And I bought a 2010 wrecked/salvage only one with a 6.2L...(cheap) everything good under the hood.... Could I swap them? That means change the transmission, suspension, brakes, engine/transmission wiring harness, exhaust... Would it work? Or would the computers/modules still not accept it (different vin acknowledgement/code/encryption) I know we can't even change the radio without programming it to the vin... So I'm sure there's something we would need to program...??

Not so much -should we- ... Could we?