3.4 v6 to 383 stroker v8 from Crate?

[cncmachinist2]

I was just thinking today about a swap im planning on doing. I got a 3.4 v6 in a '94 camaro. Im going to swap it with an LT1 that I was fortunate to hop up on. I may even convert it to an LT4.......but thats a whole nother discussion.. anyways.....this thought popped up popped up because I contemplated stroking my LT1 I got because it is down to bare block and now would be the time to do so if i were to go ahead with the stroke kit. However money is an issue as I would have to swap trannys and rear ends not only to handle such power, but to also use the motor's power to its fullest potential. Here's the question......What would it take to swap to a 383 stroker directly from Crate, if I were to buy one, and is it possible to mate it to the tranny I have now(4L60E...i think). Also is it a financially sound dicision seeing as I'll have to spend money elsewhere, or do i go with a stroker kit and get it rebuilt. Keep in mind the motor I have is not complete. I still need heads, push rods, intake manifold, throttle body, exhaust manifold to mate with stock(or custom work), oil pan, accesories like oil pump, water pump, alternator and starter assuming the one's i have are not compatible or supply enough power, and pretty much anything else electrical that needs to be upgraded or replaced due to a different motor.

Assuming you have the money to burn, which way would you go?---New complete motor of what I want, directly from the manufacturere with warranty, or rebuild and possibly spend more money over time?

[s.reef]

Is this a daily driven car or something that is only goin to see weekends or track? It depends...if its just a dd i would go with a basic lt1 set up...maybe do a camswap and some other stuff...if you wanna spend the money and do a 383 you might as well get a ls1...but thats just me.

[WMCCjames]

If you are on a budget, swap what you got and call it a day. If you are gonna ditch what you already have, ditch it good and swap it out for something a little more worth while....an LS series motor.

[ITSSLOW]

If you are on a budget, swap what you got and call it a day. If you are gonna ditch what you already have, ditch it good and swap it out for something a little more worth while....an LS series motor.

I'd compare the pricing of buying all the stuff for the LT1 compared to selling it and buying an LS1. I'm pretty sure there would be alot of modding to get that SBC to fit. Don't you have to really cut up the firewall and stuff?

[JoeliusZ28]

I'd compare the pricing of buying all the stuff for the LT1 compared to selling it and buying an LS1. I'm pretty sure there would be alot of modding to get that SBC to fit. Don't you have to really cut up the firewall and stuff?

um huh?

If you got money to burn id build a bad ass LT1 - stroker, ported heads, etc. however if you are on a budget... then honestly im gonna have to agree with james i think youd be better off just starting with an LS1.

[nascarnate326]

LS7 that ***** and call it a day.

[badinfluence]

um huh?

If you got money to burn id build a bad ass LT1 - stroker, ported heads, etc. however if you are on a budget... then honestly im gonna have to agree with james i think youd be better off just starting with an LS1.

I would think a LT1 would be alot cheaper than to build a LS1

I mean you can get a LT1/trans AT LEAST $1500 less than a LS1

[GETGONE]

Your V6's trans will NOT bolt up to a V8. You need a V8 trans to bolt up to it. V6 to V8 swaps are rarely worth it in my opinion in a vehicle you can buy with a V8 already in it for cheap. You can pick up LT1's with high miles for well under $5K. If you search enough you can find a high mile LS1 car for $6-8K. A carbbed SBC 383(I'm assuming that's what you mean by 383 crate motor) will require some cutting of the cowl overhang to clear an air cleaner and you'll never reach the distributor once you get the thing in the car. You need to decide what you want to spend and compare it to buying a V8 car or attempting to convert yours. I think the full cost of the swap will make you think twice about picking up a car with a V8 in it already.

[badinfluence]

Your V6's trans will NOT bolt up to a V8. You need a V8 trans to bolt up to it. V6 to V8 swaps are rarely worth it in my opinion in a vehicle you can buy with a V8 already in it for cheap. You can pick up LT1's with high miles for well under $5K. If you search enough you can find a high mile LS1 car for $6-8K. A carbbed SBC 383(I'm assuming that's what you mean by 383 crate motor) will require some cutting of the cowl overhang to clear an air cleaner and you'll never reach the distributor once you get the thing in the car. You need to decide what you want to spend and compare it to buying a V8 car or attempting to convert yours. I think the full cost of the swap will make you think twice about picking up a car with a V8 in it already.

I agree, you can find LT1 cars for next to nothing, i just picked up a LS1 Z28 not to long ago for less than a geo metro

just have to look around

[phoenix_rising]

If I were you I would get the heads at least. A good seat of heads will surprise you! But also they can be some of the most expensive engine components. I would rebuild the LT1 get a decent cam and a set of used heads. Get everything ported and polished, and set the thing up for Nitrous.

Also, keep in mind, bills should always come first, then mods. I know sometimes I find that very difficult to reconcile with.

[Orange Terror]

There's A LOT of possibilities here. It all depends on what you want for an engine. There are so many crate motors out there it all depends on how much you want to spend. You could get a cheap crate motor probably for less than what building your LT1 will cost you in the end. But, how long will a cheap motor last? You could go LS1, but you are talking about not only going to a V8 but having to buy and install all the electronics to support it. Which could also happen with a crate motor or the LT1 if you don't wanna go with a carburetor setup. So, we need a better idea of what your goal is and your price range to help out more.

[JoeliusZ28]

I would think a LT1 would be alot cheaper than to build a LS1

I mean you can get a LT1/trans AT LEAST $1500 less than a LS1

it is but it depends what the goal is with it. If youre happy with 275-340 RWHP for a while the LT1 would be great, but the LT1 is going to suck more money out of your pocket after that. The heads need to be worked to be comparable to LS1 heads and thats a decent ammount of dollars. Not to mention, the ignition system sucks. you can run 12s with 340 rwhp easy, so if thats enough for him, then LT1 is still a good route to go. ...i should really stop talking RWHP comparisons though, because im a firm believer that the LT1 gets more business done with less HP in comparison. On average, the LT1 seems to make the LS1 look like a dyno queen IMO. My goal this year is a 12 with a completely internally stock LT1.

[badinfluence]

Yea my LT1 at least felt alot faster, the best i can describe it was just raw power where as the LS1 is still quick just more refined

I would go LT1 if its not a DD

LS1 if it is and it needs to be reliable\

but honestly i would just sell your car and buy a V8 save the headache and money

[Orange Terror]

My goal this year is a 12 with a completely internally stock LT1.

Just do like previously suggested here and port and polish the heads and set it up for nitrous. And don't forget to pay your bills.........

[GETGONE]

LT1's are torque motors which is why they feel quicker. LS1's are HP motors so what they lack in low end torque they rule for top end HP and speed, not to mention they pull hard at the top end vs an LT1 that runs out of steam on the top end.