Anyone tried a engine swap? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

AustinWithrow · 05-14-2014, 10:09 PM

I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to do a engine swap in a v6 to a v8? Maybe going from a LFX to a LS3? Anyone who has any info about this swap would be helpful!

FilibustaRhymes · 05-14-2014, 10:10 PM

Would it be cheaper than a trade-in toward a SS? Honest question.

Texan_Camaro · 05-14-2014, 11:02 PM

I was thinking Chevy SS (4 door) LS3 swap to make the SS economical with the V6 and the camaro a monster with the LS3.

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PoorMansCamaro · 05-14-2014, 11:13 PM

as far as i'm aware, no V6 has done an engine swap to a v8 on this site. it would be much cheaper to trade in for a v8 and just lose the money.

JCunningham · 05-14-2014, 11:29 PM

this was asked a few days ago. No it would be cheaper to trade it in. And in the end it would be worth no more than a v6 if totaled and even less to worthless as a trade in.

xnuyokr · 05-15-2014, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCunningham

this was asked a few days ago. No it would be cheaper to trade it in. And in the end it would be worth no more than a v6 if totaled and even less to worthless as a trade in.

x 2

JDavi · 05-15-2014, 08:47 AM

I had the same question actually, but instead of the LS3 i have an LQ4 just lying around my garage. I got my 2011 Camaro LT/RS for around 12k and cant really trade it in because it has a rebuilt title. Would it be a good idea to build the LQ4 and swap it out with the V6?

AustinWithrow · 05-15-2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDavi

I had the same question actually, but instead of the LS3 i have an LQ4 just lying around my garage. I got my 2011 Camaro LT/RS for around 12k and cant really trade it in because it has a rebuilt title. Would it be a good idea to build the LQ4 and swap it out with the V6?

I'm thinking about swapping a ls3 into a v6 just to try it out and see if it works!

Low Saturn · 05-15-2014, 12:19 PM

I think the biggest hurdle will be electronics. There's probably not much physical difference between the chassis mounting points between the V6 and V8 's. There shouldn't much if any fabrication involved. My initial guess without fully researching is that you'd need to swap the drive train and possibly the engine wiring harness and ECU. The new ECU may need some tuning to be able to talk to the rest of the electronics in the car. And I'd bet that the V6 and V8 use the same core ECU, just that they're programmed differently. You'd also have to research to see of parts like the underhood fuse boxes are the same as well as the cradle.

I think the most difficult part would be sourcing the needed parts at a reasonable price. As long as the mechanical and technical aspects are understandable to you, I don't see this type of swap to be rocket science. And as the years go by, it will probably become a common thing to do.

GretchenGotGrowl · 05-15-2014, 12:30 PM

Let's put it this way. I looked at swapping a LFX (V6) into my 2010 V6 (LLT). It was way cheaper to trade the 2010 for a 2012. Unless you can find a totaled SS with a functional drivetrain and electronics for dirt cheap, then just trade the car in if you want. If you happen to have a V8 engine laying around, sell it and either mod the V6 or use that as part of the down payment on the car you want; or buy a 260Z roller and put the V8 in that. The day of easy/cheap engine swaps are over. All the different control modules are tied together and aren't interchangeable.

Dru · 05-28-2014, 10:11 PM

Yes, it is possible. I swapped an L92 out of an Escalade into my 2011 2LT/RS M6, trading the L92 intake for the LS3 intake to fit under the hood. Is it cheaper to trade to an SS, probably, depending on what you paid for your V6, but I did all the work myself and was able to get most of the necessary parts from the forum members here to help keep the cost down. If you're gonna have to pay labor costs on top of parts, it'll get pretty expensive, but if you have the space and know what you're doing, you can't beat the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Good Luck!

Macrackie · 05-29-2014, 06:48 AM

Dru,

What did you do for a trans?

Dru · 05-29-2014, 07:04 AM

I was able to get a TR6060 from a forum member. You thinking about swapping?

12WhiteLS · 05-29-2014, 08:52 AM

Easiest way would be finding a wrecked SS as a donor car. Whenever the difference between the price of trading it in or buying a donor car favors the donor car then it would be more economical.

05-14-2014, 10:09 PM	#1
AustinWithrow Drives: 2013 Cammed/LSA Conversion 1LE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Corbin, Ky Posts: 564 View My Garage	Anyone tried a engine swap? I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to do a engine swap in a v6 to a v8? Maybe going from a LFX to a LS3? Anyone who has any info about this swap would be helpful! __________________ "Livin' life in the fast lane, moving at the speed of light and I can't slow down, only got a gallon in the gas tank, but I'm at the finish line so I can't stop now"

05-14-2014, 11:13 PM	#4
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 56,982	as far as i'm aware, no V6 has done an engine swap to a v8 on this site. it would be much cheaper to trade in for a v8 and just lose the money. __________________

05-14-2014, 11:29 PM	#5
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	this was asked a few days ago. No it would be cheaper to trade it in. And in the end it would be worth no more than a v6 if totaled and even less to worthless as a trade in. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

05-15-2014, 12:19 PM	#9
Low Saturn Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 1,371	I think the biggest hurdle will be electronics. There's probably not much physical difference between the chassis mounting points between the V6 and V8 's. There shouldn't much if any fabrication involved. My initial guess without fully researching is that you'd need to swap the drive train and possibly the engine wiring harness and ECU. The new ECU may need some tuning to be able to talk to the rest of the electronics in the car. And I'd bet that the V6 and V8 use the same core ECU, just that they're programmed differently. You'd also have to research to see of parts like the underhood fuse boxes are the same as well as the cradle. I think the most difficult part would be sourcing the needed parts at a reasonable price. As long as the mechanical and technical aspects are understandable to you, I don't see this type of swap to be rocket science. And as the years go by, it will probably become a common thing to do. __________________

05-15-2014, 12:30 PM	#10
GretchenGotGrowl Drives: 11 F150 EB/13 Sonic RS/15 Z06 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 7,129 View My Garage	Let's put it this way. I looked at swapping a LFX (V6) into my 2010 V6 (LLT). It was way cheaper to trade the 2010 for a 2012. Unless you can find a totaled SS with a functional drivetrain and electronics for dirt cheap, then just trade the car in if you want. If you happen to have a V8 engine laying around, sell it and either mod the V6 or use that as part of the down payment on the car you want; or buy a 260Z roller and put the V8 in that. The day of easy/cheap engine swaps are over. All the different control modules are tied together and aren't interchangeable. __________________ New Ride -- 2015 Z06 2LZ (stock) -- Journal Old Ride -- 2012 Camaro 2LT/RS (647 RWHP & 726 RWTQ) -- Build Thread

05-14-2014, 10:10 PM	#2
FilibustaRhymes Drives: SS Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: USA Posts: 529	Would it be cheaper than a trade-in toward a SS? Honest question.

05-14-2014, 11:02 PM	#3
Texan_Camaro Drives: 2014 Chevy Camaro LS Summit White Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Laredo, San Antonio, Texas Posts: 162	I was thinking Chevy SS (4 door) LS3 swap to make the SS economical with the V6 and the camaro a monster with the LS3. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-15-2014, 08:47 AM	#7
JDavi Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: May 2014 Location: Deep south Texas Posts: 16	I had the same question actually, but instead of the LS3 i have an LQ4 just lying around my garage. I got my 2011 Camaro LT/RS for around 12k and cant really trade it in because it has a rebuilt title. Would it be a good idea to build the LQ4 and swap it out with the V6?

05-28-2014, 10:11 PM	#11
Dru Drives: '11 IBM Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 11	Yes, it is possible. I swapped an L92 out of an Escalade into my 2011 2LT/RS M6, trading the L92 intake for the LS3 intake to fit under the hood. Is it cheaper to trade to an SS, probably, depending on what you paid for your V6, but I did all the work myself and was able to get most of the necessary parts from the forum members here to help keep the cost down. If you're gonna have to pay labor costs on top of parts, it'll get pretty expensive, but if you have the space and know what you're doing, you can't beat the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Good Luck!

05-29-2014, 06:48 AM	#12
Macrackie Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Stripper model Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Beloit IL Posts: 641	Dru, What did you do for a trans?

05-29-2014, 07:04 AM	#13
Dru Drives: '11 IBM Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 11	I was able to get a TR6060 from a forum member. You thinking about swapping?

05-29-2014, 08:52 AM	#14
12WhiteLS Drives: 2012 Camaro 1LS M6 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NE FL Posts: 136	Easiest way would be finding a wrecked SS as a donor car. Whenever the difference between the price of trading it in or buying a donor car favors the donor car then it would be more economical.