Need advice on furthering my 3800's exhaust...

[Derek]

If you don't have the tools and the resources to do the swap its going to be interesting to say the least. People can only help you so much. If its another camaro you want.. you could get a 1996 lt1 z28 and probably sell your v6 for cheaper than you could do the swap.. Even ls1 camaros are selling crazy cheap. I'd go with ls1 over lt1 because it has more power and better fuel mileage. But this is something that could be argued back and forth forever..

[04DetroitLS]

why not grab a LQ4 (if going LS1 block route?)

[esoteric18]

why not grab a LQ4 (if going LS1 block route?)

Thats exactly what I did 600 bucks for a complete lq4, but now its looking to be a 5k engine build alone. But if you were to just rebuild one with lq9 pistons and a decent cam it wouldnt cost to much then slap a th400 in there and you have a solid decent performer for not to much money. It all comes down to how much you want to keep your car a swap is alot more work then just tossing a motor in there and will most likely cost more then just buying a T/A,ss,formula, or z/28.

[Doug96CamaroRS]

Another reason I would be hesitant to do the swap is that I don't really know my way through the setup of the v8s, because this 3800 camaro is my first car!... I don't feel like I could do anything without some kind of supervision or assistance...

[steddy]

Another reason I would be hesitant to do the swap is that I don't really know my way through the setup of the v8s, because this 3800 camaro is my first car!... I don't feel like I could do anything without some kind of supervision or assistance...

Honestly, man. I'd look into buying a V8 car instead of getting into the realm of swapping. True, afterward, you'd probably be a pro, due to all the changes (PCM, wiring, setting up, building, programming, etc.), but the question is, are you willing and ready to take that plunge? If you do this, I'd suggest a second car, being that, on average, these projects can take a while. More often than not, it'll be the small shit that gets ya (ask B) toward the end, or something major that may just not be in stock, etc. I liked the suggestion of selling the V6 for a V8, if you can manage to time it right, it'd be a couple days and you got the setup already done that way and you're having fun and feeling the power.

It's true that doing a swap or a complete rebuild is a great way to learn, but it wil be pricey and you may just end up putting more money in than you will see coming back out when it's time to make a change (if that happens).

[steddy]

Yeah, just get a stock catback from a V8 car, and leave the cat on.

Most of the aftermarket exhausts on a stock 3800 car idle nice, but sound like a 4-cylinder when you get on it.

Carl's (steddy) is one of the few 3800 cars that sounds bad ass, but he's got a nice cam in there too, and that really helps.

Kyle, I came in today wondering why the hell I do what I do and why so early in the morning and you really made my day! Thanks man! The day's just that much better. I never did the car for compliments, but it is so nice to get them when it happens. Thank you.

[phoenix_rising]

Supporting mods IE subframe connectors and suspension stuff. You could make it corner for now since it won't be "fast" and if you're going to swap it anyways there's not really any point in investing money to throw away.

Coming from a guy that loves is V6 very much. Save the cash for the V8 or spend the money on items that can be utilized with a V8 and V6. Suspension is one area that you can invest in and not have to sell everything later becuase is its proprietry for the V6 only. Althought I do love the sound of my V6.

This is not my car but it sounds just like mine. I modeled my exhaust after this car.... (goerlich Xlerator)

2002 Firebird V6 w/ intake and exhaust (cruisin on

2002 Firebird V6 intake and exhaust (throwin the c

[04DetroitLS]

Reason's im keeping the 6
1. Familiarity w/ it..... no learning curve already been there done that
2. More room under the hood (to work on and for toys)
3. CHEAP, well. to replace the block atleast.. building it is another issue, the L26 can hold 500whp fairly well, and if i grenade the block or something internal, i can get a low mile one for ~$500
4. Im just that crazy/stupid

[Kwazrollinz28]

Reason's im keeping the 6
1. Familiarity w/ it..... no learning curve already been there done that
2. More room under the hood (to work on and for toys)
3. CHEAP, well. to replace the block atleast.. building it is another issue, the L26 can hold 500whp fairly well, and if i grenade the block or something internal, i can get a low mile one for ~$500
4. Im just that crazy/stupid

x2 I love my 3.8 in my GTP, but 3.8's without boost are dogs, i'm sorry to say but with all the work done to my motor it still barely rips the tires loose when i have the belt off, But having it on is another story.

another thing is Non Supercharged 3.8's came with 3.29 gears and boosted 3.8's came with 2.93 gears i believe. which almost neutrals it out being completey dumb.

[04DetroitLS]

x2 I love my 3.8 in my GTP, but 3.8's without boost are dogs, i'm sorry to say but with all the work done to my motor it still barely rips the tires loose when i have the belt off, But having it on is another story.

another thing is Non Supercharged 3.8's came with 3.29 gears and boosted 3.8's came with 2.93 gears i believe. which almost neutrals it out being completey dumb.

Actually the S/cd cars were 2.93, OPTION for 3.29 (04+ w/ tap/perfom shift IIRC), the only thing that came standard 3.29 was the 9c1 Imp and my freak of a car for some reason... (not sure about montes though) the normal gearing for NA was 3.05

[Lucky SOB]

Sell it an buy a V8 car if you want a V8. Especially with you not knowing a whole lot about motors. I see you getting everything torn out and then selling it because you got sick of all the hassels and losing your ass money wise. Buy a clean LT1 car for $4k...

[Kwazrollinz28]

Actually the S/cd cars were 2.93, OPTION for 3.29 (04+ w/ tap/perfom shift IIRC), the only thing that came standard 3.29 was the 9c1 Imp and my freak of a car for some reason... (not sure about montes though) the normal gearing for NA was 3.05

I'd like to get a 3.29 gear in there some day, It probably would help alot.

[04DetroitLS]

I'd like to get a 3.29 gear in there some day, It probably would help alot.

Im on the fence w/ the 3.29, Basically if you have a non HD trans and throw a HD diff (and other HD components) you get the 3.29s. I did it when i orig did my top swap, but w/ the build i have now there is NO going WOT w/o spinning (on street tires) and Im still spinning w/ BFGs or Nitto 555s @ St Thomas Dragway (shittier track prep than Milan) Once I get this pig back on the road we'll have to hook up on Woodward some night (or Milan) Ill let you see what you think. Right now Im running a 3.0" (nonIC) thinking about bumping up to a 3.2 and adding a shitton of timing (only around +2-3* right now) and seeing how much more i can make that way....




OP sorry for the hijack

[Doug96CamaroRS]

it'd be nice to find a nice lt1 for cheap... I know all the early 4th gen. v8s and 3800s are selling for about the same price, it's ridiculous!!! I'd like to keep my car for a couple more years and then find a badass 97 ss :]

[phoenix_rising]

$400 for an LT1 and trans on CL right now.