V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

[Aciddrag0n1]

Basically, my car right now is having some major issues with engine and tranny. Knocks, leaks, shifting problems, etc. I've been looking around for a new engine and tranny for my '95 3.4 v6. I came across a '95 LT1 manual for an extremely good price. No issues with the car at all.

Would it be advantageous to buy the donor car and swap everything, or should I just keep saving up for a new car in general. Dont get me wrong, I love my 'bird, but it needs some work (new paint on rear quarter panels and new 'vert top).

What all would I be getting into cost wise for a mechanic to do such a job?

[thedetailman]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

i love your enthusiasm about this. I love jumping into projects to. BUT one thing that takes is being car savey, if you are not...ITS just not a possibility without sufficiant help, and the correct tools.

ok....If in fact you ARE going through with this. First things FIRST.
>mechanic. (who) are they reputable.
-
>money(whats your budget vs what he charges.)(the job will call for about 12-14 hours if not more) (JUST FOR THE "T-I-P-I-C-A-L" ENGINE SWAP)
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>Interior.(center console. as well as face plate and MANUAL clutch pedal will have to be installed...)
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>Time.(how much time do you have and how long will you be able to part with your car untill its finished..THATS not counting the bugs that will most definitly have to be worked out.
>driveshaft,k-member,tranny,engine,radiator,exhaust will all have to be switched out.

(now PAYING A MAN MONEY to do all of the above...)

"something you will never see me do. The amount at which he would be payed to do so..would be WAYY more than the value of most any f body."
Its not JUST an engine swap...ITS PCM,ECU,DRIVETRAIN,ENGINE,etc.etc.

If you can do this yourself...with knowing alot about cars. Its still a pain in the A**. changing TRANNY typeS...IS JUST...WELL., ITS MURDER.

[ssms5411]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

Just go buy a LS1 and be done.

[Pewter02Camaro]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

just go buy a ls1 and be done.

x2...

[BallerMaro13]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

x3 steve ^

save up some extra dough and hop in an ls1, or sell your 'vert and upgrade to the lt1.

IMO, a bolt-ons/tuned/ h/c 3.8 will get you into (depending) lt1 territory, so why not go all the way up the ladder to the big leagues?

[VF1Skullangel]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I have played around with the idea of droping in an LT1 or LT4 into my car but after doing the math it will cost me a little more than an LS1 car to do such a job.:omg: I'm currently thinking of going for an early 90's Lotus Esprit than an 02 SS.

I only favor engine swaps if you have something in the lines of like an Edelbrock create motor or a Donovan V8. Otherwise start searching on craigslist.

Option A.

Go out to a junk yard and locate a complete 3.4 setup with the engine and tranny you need. Most places will charge you like $250 per core so you should be able to find both for around $500 total and just find someone to swap em both in.

Option B.

Save up for an LT1 or LS1 car if you wanna have a V8.

[Swindez95]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I say save up for an LS car myself, if you haven't looked on autotrader lately you can find clean 98-02 z28's and some ss's for less than 8-9k with a little over or less than 100k. Depending on where you live you might not have to travel far to get a great deal. F-bodies appear to be dropping in price everywhere and people are selling.

[Mogobs30th]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

Anyone here take any pride at all in owning a V6? Or do they consider a V6 a stepping stone to larger junk?

[LETZRIDE]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

Anyone here take any pride at all in owning a V6? Or do they consider a V6 a stepping stone to larger junk?

I do :D...hence the time and effort I am sinking into this new project...

[BallerMaro13]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

absolutely man. i spend more time building up and adding muscle to my 3.8 than i do my ls1. i wouldn't trade her for the world --- and i plan on making her as fast/faster than the ls1 before i even start working on the v8 seriously.

seems like the OP is just ready for an upgrade tho.

[thedetailman]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I TAKE enormous pride in my v6. hm i had the chance to get a lt5 swap Camaro for like 12 grandish. was gonna go through with it. until i found a lonely v6 Camaro sittin on a side lot for 1700. I could not resist. SOO now i have a car that i use as a DD and i can put about 5000 into it. :D Yeah mines definitely a lifer.

[DAS BOOT]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I said on the other board. I vote junk your car(or sell it, or keep it as a card on the side) and upgrade to a v8 car in decent condition.


its not a matter of v6 pride its a matter of what your DD is going to be. A stockish v8 car will be more reliable then a modded to hell v6 that performs similarly or a v8 swap car.

[Mogobs30th]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I said on the other board. I vote junk your car(or sell it, or keep it as a card on the side) and upgrade to a v8 car in decent condition.


its not a matter of v6 pride its a matter of what your DD is going to be. A stockish v8 car will be more reliable then a modded to hell v6 that performs similarly or a v8 swap car.

Keep in mind we're going on almost 8 years without making these cars now. LS1's are racking up the miles themselves in the Fbodies. We're approaching a period of time where it might actually be more cost effective to buy the V6 stuff and fix the V6 up than it would be for the V8. Lets not be stupid here, FEW engines are more reliable than the LS1, sad thing is, the GM 3800 Series II engine happens to be one of them.

If you want to upgrade to a V8 then be my guest, but the average median mileage for a 2002 LS1 is probably damn close to 96k miles.

[ssms5411]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I TAKE enormous pride in my v6. hm i had the chance to get a lt5 swap Camaro for like 12 grandish. was gonna go through with it. until i found a lonely v6 Camaro sittin on a side lot for 1700. I could not resist. SOO now i have a car that i use as a DD and i can put about 5000 into it. :D Yeah mines definitely a lifer.

Talking about lifers, I bought mine Dec. of 95' with 18 miles on it and still have GM goodwrench lifetime warranties on the AC, water pump, ALT, and starter. Can't beat that, before I'm done I'll have more in warranty parts & labor than I paid for the car. LOL I'm at I think 4 water pumps, 3 a/c compressors, 4 Alt. and 2 starters since I have owned it.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: V8 engine and trans swap (auto to manual) or new car?

I said on the other board. I vote junk your car(or sell it, or keep it as a card on the side) and upgrade to a v8 car in decent condition.


its not a matter of v6 pride its a matter of what your DD is going to be. A stockish v8 car will be more reliable then a modded to hell v6 that performs similarly or a v8 swap car.

THe 3400 and 3800 engines can take a hell of a beating. 3800 is on Ward's Best Engine in the world 5x's. That speaks a lot about GM's work engine.

I bought both of my birds new. My 89 already has 260k on it and the engine refuses to die. I only have electrical problems with it.

I had a lot of opportunity to buy a V8 back then, but I decided to go for the V6 because I love the Black Firebird style over the Trans Am. It's clean with nice lines to it.