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The Michigan FBody Association is a centralized website for FBody enthusiasts to discuss what's going on in the Michigan area. MiFbody.com was created to allow for an easy one-stop place to find out what's going on in Michigan as far as FBody events, to find out what clubs are available in your immediate area, and for an easy place to post classifieds for items you want to sell! Our goal was to create a more close-knit community of FBody enthusiasts in the state of Michigan, and to bring Camaro and Firebird enthusiasts alike together for some amazing FBody events!
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I'm tossing around a ton of ideas in order to get more horsepower... and the best possible scenario is to swap a v8 into my car...but I still have no idea what I'll be able to do. Anyways, I just want to know how much I'd be looking at spending to find a good deal on an lt1/ls1 with the necessary components vs. selling my 96 camaro that I'm very attached to and buying a z28...which is more practical? which is better? need advice please
-Doug
I'm tossing around a ton of ideas in order to get more horsepower... and the best possible scenario is to swap a v8 into my car...but I still have no idea what I'll be able to do. Anyways, I just want to know how much I'd be looking at spending to find a good deal on an lt1/ls1 with the necessary components vs. selling my 96 camaro that I'm very attached to and buying a z28...which is more practical? which is better? need advice please
-Doug
you are going to receive a LOT of different opinions. I sold my old supercharged v6 and upgraded to the ls1 TA that I have now. Never once would I change my decision. The V8 is night and day better, it was real easy to sell the old car and hand the money over for the new one and drive away compared to all the time that will be invested in the swap lol. If you have the mechanical knowhow and the tools I'd say you could do an lt1 swap for dirt cheap though. One other factor is how is hte condition of your current car? If its mint and you have an attachment to it, it might be worth it, otherwise maybe not. LS1 swap would probably cost much more than buying an lt1 z28. With that said.. LT1 cars are also dirt cheap right now and could probably be had for less than it would cost you to do a complete and proper swap. If you would have to have someone else do the labor, then it would definately be much more costly to swap than to buy. Several people on here have done swaps but they have also upgraded in the process so their figures might be skewed.
-Derek-
1999 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air- Lots of Boltons..
Check the engine swap thread, theres atleast 3 of us that did v6 to v8 last year alone. Tons of info available. Not sure Id do it again though, id probably sell it and get a v8 car.
I still am a firm believer in doing the swap but there's a few things that you have to agree to before I would recommend it.
The car has sentimental value
You'd rather spend more money doing the swap than buying an LT1 car
You want to do the swap for learning value
If you can 100% say "Yes" to all three - go for it. I'm damned happy I did the swap. When I did it, I couldn't buy an LT1 car for how much I spent on the LT1 engine package itself but now adays you can buy a whole LT1 car for 2k and it basically just falls on whether you have a lot of sentimental value with the car and whether you're willing to spend money to do the swap. You'll be deeper in the swap than you originally budgetted for but you'll also learn a SHIT TON (pardon my french but it's necessary to get the emphasis across) doing the swap.
if you decide to do a swap i would add some goodies before the engine goes in. It would seem silly to do all that work and only have a stock engine. Thats just my opinion.
I still am a firm believer in doing the swap but there's a few things that you have to agree to before I would recommend it.
The car has sentimental value
You'd rather spend more money doing the swap than buying an LT1 car
You want to do the swap for learning value
If you can 100% say "Yes" to all three - go for it. I'm damned happy I did the swap. When I did it, I couldn't buy an LT1 car for how much I spent on the LT1 engine package itself but now adays you can buy a whole LT1 car for 2k and it basically just falls on whether you have a lot of sentimental value with the car and whether you're willing to spend money to do the swap. You'll be deeper in the swap than you originally budgetted for but you'll also learn a SHIT TON (pardon my french but it's necessary to get the emphasis across) doing the swap.
Couldn't agree more.. I did my swap and would do it again anytime, honestly it's not that bad, just get a donor car and you can have it done in about 10 days like I did
I think if I had the money...I would do find a good ls1 and do the swap hands down...but it appears as though with my budget, I will probably have to sell my car and buy an lt1 camaro in order to get a v8. My dilemma is that I have a very very dependable car and I've went through it and fixed many basic things and done preventative maintenance and a good tune up...so it is in nearly perfect running condition. It has a good 3800 with less than 100k on it..Its paint and body are in very very good condition and it is a great first car for me..And being an 18 year old with a 560 dollar social security check each month, I need to save all the money I can get...I don't even know why I want a v8 so bad, it's just like a drug. The sound, the feel, the pride, the speed!!!
so realistically, in your opinions, what SHOULD I do??? would I be able to afford the gas? the insurance? should I save up for agonizing years and finish this car how I want to? sell this one and buy a v8? just keep this until I can afford to buy a new camaro? I just need words of wisdom from some car gurus...
Honestly - don't make yourself car broke for one. If it's going to make you broke, don't do it. But if you figure out your finances and you can make it happen go for it. If $560 is your only source of income every month I don't know how you could survive.
from what you just stated it does not seem fit to do it. you are going to run into more costs than expected...sacrifice your reliability. And a v8 is a drug...that keeps you spending....first its a CAI then on and on and on
you will always be wanting to spend money you dont have.
imo i would wait it out, the temptations are too great
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