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

kaspera23 · 08-01-2013, 11:54 AM

Does anyone have any experience trying to put an LS3 into a 2LT? Is it worth it? Would it just be better to an SS? I'm aware you'd need to upgrade brakes/suspension and probably a few pieces between the engine and the tranny. But beyond that, what else would be necessary?

PoorMansCamaro · 08-01-2013, 11:55 AM

the computer.

would be cheaper and easier to just upgrade. it's been asked a lot, and that's the conclusion every time

nyrfan · 08-01-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaspera23

Does anyone have any experience trying to put an LS3 into a 2LT? Is it worth it? Would it just be better to an SS? I'm aware you'd need to upgrade brakes/suspension and probably a few pieces between the engine and the tranny. But beyond that, what else would be necessary?

This has been asked and answered many time before, forget it. The cost would be more then investing in a new SS.

The Stig · 08-01-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorMansCamaro

the computer

Yup. You'd need a whole new ECM, then a new BCM that would play nice with the new ECM. It'd be much easier (and cheaper) to just upgrade to a SS.

kaspera23 · 08-01-2013, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the quick responses all! I appreciate the info.

BluePhoenix · 08-01-2013, 12:05 PM

There's nothing wrong with a swap in my opinion but the times & money involve makes it just easier to upgrade to an SS.

Ertter11 (Silver Bullet) · 08-01-2013, 12:48 PM

You better of trading up. You'll probably easily spend 8,000-10,000 easy just on the engine. It is definitely not worth it.

Dizzy82 · 08-01-2013, 01:31 PM

Why not FI?

King Nothing · 08-01-2013, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy82

Why not FI?

IMO Still why not just get the v8? You are going to drop thousands of dollars on a new F/I kit, install and tunning and let's not forget gettin a clutch or stall to match everything. Don't forget you need to get new injectors and a new fuel pump to best utilize the F/I also. Still cheaper to buy the SS

Gunslinger09 · 08-01-2013, 02:06 PM

The only way I would do a V6 to V8 swap would be if I was racing in a class that required registration and insurance to run and so I couldn't do a BIW. If I'm gonna gut and cage a car I'm going to start with the absolutely the cheapest car I can.

E.T. · 08-01-2013, 02:45 PM

Upgrading to a V8 is your best option. Taking the hit on the trade-in hurts, but in the end, I was glad I did it.

08-01-2013, 11:54 AM	#1
kaspera23 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro 2LT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20 View My Garage	Upgrade vs Engine Swap Does anyone have any experience trying to put an LS3 into a 2LT? Is it worth it? Would it just be better to an SS? I'm aware you'd need to upgrade brakes/suspension and probably a few pieces between the engine and the tranny. But beyond that, what else would be necessary?

08-01-2013, 11:55 AM	#2
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 56,958	the computer. would be cheaper and easier to just upgrade. it's been asked a lot, and that's the conclusion every time __________________

08-01-2013, 01:31 PM	#8
Dizzy82 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS A6 RJT SuperCharged Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 87114 Posts: 3,503 View My Garage	Why not FI? __________________ Power is worthless without control. *The 2nd* protects the 1st.** BMR sub frame brace, BMR tunnel brace, LSR sways, LSR CM ca & tl, Sphon ExD el, GM tower brace, Megan EZ Streets, Goodridge Stainless Steel Braided brake lines, PowerStop D/S rotors & pads, Doug Thorty Ceramic Shorties, Magnaflow x-pipe, MRT V2.0, KICKER PowerStage sub & amp, Infinity speakers & tweeters, Viteese Throttle Controller, Viteese Paddle Shifters, ACS T2 Splitter, ACS T2 Ports/Quad LED lights, VDI kit, Havoc diffuser, IPF ECU/TRANS tuned, IPF/KPE Supercharged. 364RWHP/297RWTQ

08-01-2013, 02:06 PM	#10
Gunslinger09 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 149	The only way I would do a V6 to V8 swap would be if I was racing in a class that required registration and insurance to run and so I couldn't do a BIW. If I'm gonna gut and cage a car I'm going to start with the absolutely the cheapest car I can. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS Black/IOM Last edited by Gunslinger09; 08-01-2013 at 03:23 PM.

08-01-2013, 02:45 PM	#11
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,267	Upgrading to a V8 is your best option. Taking the hit on the trade-in hurts, but in the end, I was glad I did it. __________________

08-01-2013, 11:58 AM	#5
kaspera23 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro 2LT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20 View My Garage	Thanks for the quick responses all! I appreciate the info.

08-01-2013, 12:05 PM	#6
BluePhoenix Drives: GMC Sierra AT4 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 3,282	There's nothing wrong with a swap in my opinion but the times & money involve makes it just easier to upgrade to an SS.

08-01-2013, 12:48 PM	#7
Ertter11 (Silver Bullet) Drives: 2014 1SS/RS M6 RRM NPP Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 184 View My Garage	You better of trading up. You'll probably easily spend 8,000-10,000 easy just on the engine. It is definitely not worth it.