Let's say I'm crazy for a moment.

[The_Blur]

Most of you already think I'm a little nuts. This build won't help my case.

For a premise, imagine I can get anything from Chevrolet at employee pricing or invoice for a moment, including my Camaro. I don't care about my warranty, and I'm seeking raw, concentrated badassery in the most extreme possible form.

For this reason, I buy a brand new Camaro SS and have fun for a while.

But that isn't enough. I decide I want to be legal for the state of Illinois, which requires a simple OBD II emissions report. As far as I know, my my car is legal as long as my OBD II port says I'm legal. Is that right?

If this is right, I want to make it lie.

What do I have to do to install a race-built 454 in my Camaro SS while keeping legal? Is a tune all I need besides whatever is demanded of the physical install?

While we're discussing this, let's also consider what complications might happen if this swap takes place.

Here's the list of questions I'd like to pose:

• What do I have to do to convince Illinois inspectors that my car is legal? (I'd like to focus on Illinois, but anyone else considering this build may also like to know what is legal in their states. If you provide an answer to this question, be sure to note what states with which you are familiar.)
• In swapping the L99 with a professionally-built 454, what complications will I have with my install?
• In swapping the L99 with the same LS-sourced 454, what would you recommend doing to my transmission to keep it operational?
• Will the OEM ECM be able to cooperate with this engine? If it does work, what recommendations can you make for tuning it. If it does not work and the engine comes with a new ECM, what potential complications can you imagine in this swap?
• How much do you think I can get from a dealer for my unused L99 if I have it removed from the Camaro before ever driving it?
• If you have any other constructive input, please add it.

I appreciate your feedback and help with my brainstorm. It is possible that such a build is simply too crazy even for me, but I'd like to see what those of you who have experienced major motor swaps might be able to share with us here at Camaro5 so that we can make everyone's crazy builds a little less difficult.

[Beauwulf]

If money is no object.. get the LS9 beast and call it a day!

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Beauwulf

If money is no object.. get the LS9 beast and call it a day!

I was hoping not to have to justify my case, but I'm going to go the NA route so that I could keep it running for the long haul with less maintenance than a supercharged engine. If I do decide to go this route and get it supercharged, then I will have more displacement with which to work, creating an even crazier Camaro.

Also, part of the function of this build is that it would be unique. The LS9 has already been swapped into reputable aftermarket Camaros from onsite vendors.

[Beauwulf]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I was hoping not to have to justify my case, but I'm going to go the NA route so that I could keep it running for the long haul with less maintenance than a supercharged engine. If I do decide to go this route and get it supercharged, then I will have more displacement with which to work, creating an even crazier Camaro.

Also, part of the function of this build is that it would be unique. The LS9 has already been swapped into reputable aftermarket Camaros from onsite vendors.

I could see the appeal of the big block! And, I can relate to going NA... but, have you heard one of those LS9s?!

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Beauwulf

I could see the appeal of the big block! And, I can relate to going NA... but, have you heard one of those LS9s?!

Yes—they're beasts. Have you heard a 650-horsepower race-prepped 454? Now add a supercharger to it. It's even scarier, I assure you. This sort of build will give children nightmares and make track visitors dump in their jeans.

[PQ]

And anyway, this conversation will be MUCH funner to *virtually* stuff the 454 in and imagine thereafter.

[hb35man]

In Washington (King County) you have no emissions test for five years on a new car.Not being familiar w/the SS my concern would be the differential and half shafts.If they are the same as the Corvette stuff then my fear would be a little less as I've seen the launch control video on the Grand Sport Corvette and no one looked concerned about breaking stuff.
I prefer naturally aspirated stuff,so I'd pick a rat motor of some sort,dump the electronic crap and use a single four barrel.I don't know if it will fit in the confines of the engine bay though.Fun pretending to have unlimited resources

[Class1E]

I have no valuable input to the thread, but I had to post just to say

[Beauwulf]

Yea, I like the 454s frame twisting torque... especially with FI... I guess coming from racing bikes I prefer a higher RPM engine.

This looks like a good place to start...

http://tinyurl.com/y8uw8jv

[The_Blur]

Let's add another question to the mix:

• How much do you think I can get from a dealer for my unused L99 if I have it removed from the Camaro before ever driving it?

[TJ91]

not soo much a dealer but a regular buyer, i assume it would be easier if you had the LS3 to sell

[FH212]

You should contact Nickey Chevrolet or Redline motorsports. They would know whats involved, they are doing it!

[full of days]

Originally Posted by Beauwulf

If money is no object.. get the LS9 beast and call it a day!

Does an LS9 have to be sourced directly from GM or does it have to go thru a middleman if one were to purchase ??

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by TJ91

not soo much a dealer but a regular buyer, i assume it would be easier if you had the LS3 to sell

If I'm going to sell the L99, I can get the most out of it with under 10 miles on it, which is what every new car has. If I buy the 454 separately, then I have to drive the Camaro until I get the new engine installed. This is a problem because it reduces my L99's value.

Let's say for a moment that I order with my Camaro the LSX 454 at about $9k. If I can sell the L99 for $6k or more, then that means that the total cost of the swap is $3k plus labor. That's not very expensive.

Now, let's say that I put the very same LSX in my Camaro after driving the Camaro for a while. The L99 is no longer worth $6k, and the $9k LSX cost gets added to the cost of the car. The total cost is dependent on my ability to pay the entire $9k in cash. If I can't pay it now, then every mile I wait costs me resale value on my L99. In this scenario, I'm paying for my Camaro plus my engine and then I might get a few dollars back for the engine. On the other hand, a dealer might be willing to take a brand new engine off my hands for much more, reducing the cost of the overall swap to reasonable levels and allowing me to do this immediately upon receiving the car. Do you see how that is more lucrative?

At this point, not a single member has answered the questions listed. Someone on this forum has done a GM motor swap.