Is it actually worth modding a v6?

[SLOWBRAEATER]

After figuring out how much i put into my 3.8 and seeing how hard of work magnus put in his and ran his 13.6 im thinking about just selling the 3.8 and buying an ls1. Especially after magnus announced he is swapping in an ls1, that just makes me think, is it worth modding a v6 just to run 13s n/a or 12s even 11s with poweradder? The v8 does sound sweet :( I cant believe im even thinking of getting rid of the v6, but im just being realistic. alot of people keep telling me imagine how fast an ls1 camaro or firebird would be with all the mods that i put into my v6.
Now im contemplating :(

[naptown]

which is better in your book bragging rights to 13's n/a with a car that come with appox 170rwph or running 13's n/a stock with appox 310rwhp?

[12secondv6]

Is it worth it.......

When I first got into Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords w/ my V6 I thought it was worth it. All my V8 f body guys were jealous that I got into a stang magazine!

Then I was mentioned in a GM High Tech article as a 12 second nitrous assissted v6 f body and I knew it was still worth it. Back then I was the only one in the 12's

Then I got into Readers Rides in GM High Tech and it was worth it.

Then I got a 3 page spread and a cover shot for High Performance Pontiac and it was worth it

Then I was mentioned again in High Performance Pontiac when a Pro stock eleiminator 3800 series 2 f body owner siad his was faster than mine


Getting into magazines was well worth it!!!

Getting recognized at the track from magazine shoots was EVEN MORE well worth it!!


Everything is relative in life.
For me, YES it was worth it 100%

And, I have made MANY good friends w/ my little v6

[Shane]

anyone can make a LS1 run 12's.....but when u do it in a lil V6 its a major head scratcher especially to the LS1 owners wondering how the hell he is runnin the same as his modded LS1.

Its all about respect. You will get more respect in a V6 runnin 12's and 13's then you will in a LS1 running the same numbers. I have had a couple oppritunities to trade my car in for a LS1 but I decided that I have made my V6 come this far why not take it a little further and show the V8's what little V6's can do.

[99Camaro99]

it's nice to have the sleeper status and the WTF looks when you own someone on the road with the V6 but to be honest with you, if I had the V8 available I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. I'm could give two sh*ts whether someone thought :rolleyes: if I got an LS1 in the 13s or the 12s. Ya know why? Because I'll be in front of you and I'll have the car with crazy topend power.

[shortdog273]

V8s are expected to be fast, so it's not much of a big deal. But when there's a V6 hanging with and/or beating V8s, then it's MUCH more noticeable and the kill is ALOT more sweeter. ALOT of people in the lou know who I am. The funny thing is, I just have basic bolt-ons...for now. ;)

[SLOWBRAEATER]

I understand that its much more impressive running 13s in a v6 than it is in a v8. but when someone says anyone can mod a v8 and make it fast, the same goes for the v6 anyone withe the right amount of money you can make a v6 outrun a v8 but if you took both cars and did the same mods than the v8 will win in the end, its just a neverending battle, no matter what you do to a v6 you can do to a v8 the v8 will always win in the end :( I love my v6 but i am just looking at whats more practical for hp :( It just doesnt seem to matter what we do with our v6 because the v8 guy has the same mods available and in the end we lose. [img]graemlins/crybaby.gif[/img]

[Dominic]

The question is more to the point of, are you satisfied with 13's NA or is 11's NA more what you're after. If 13's or barely 12s n/a will never be fast enough for you, you better get a V8. Our engines have a physical limitation through valve sizing and displacement of around 375hp - just like LS1s in 346ci form are limited to 550-600hp n/a. If you needeth more, get more displacement. [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[Shirl]

I'd have to agree with James on this one. People have asked me in the past, if I would've done things differently. And I say NOPE. The satisfaction, learning experience and publicity my car has gotten through magazines and sponsorship has been such a rewarding experience, I wouldn't trade it for any other car. This car has brought me more happiness than almost any other thing that has entered my life. Good luck with your decision. Keep in mind, this is one of the best motors ever built.

[Magnus]

Dominic nails this one for me. What are you satisfied with? I WAS satisfied with my car on the street, felt good and all, but I wanted more. I want better sound and faster highway punches.

I think people think you have to dump mad cash into your car to make it fast, that's just not true. It's very easy to make an A4 3.8 fast for low budget people (semi-low budget)

PI 3600 Verter ($615)
4.10 Gear ($175)
Headers w/dump ($350)
Intake ($125 used)

Then just do major weight reduction. Your car will definately move from rolls much quicker than stock 3.8's but at the track if you want to hit the 13's or low 14's with that setup (VERY possible) you'd need a sticky tire. It's not that much $$$.. Just go on my web page and add up my 14.0 non heads/cam mods list.. It's probably under 3K including tires and wheels.

The V6 for me was a GREAT learning experience. A little over 2 years ago I was afraid to change my own spark plugs, Now I change them every other oil change and throw in camshafts like it's nothing. I would not be able to throw an LS1 into my car today if it wasn't for everything I learned on my V6.

I think the 3.8 is VERY easy to learn on. Less wires, less cyl's, it's a more basic engine and you have much more room to work inside of the engine bay.

You need to look at what you want. For me right now, I want a car that roars and runs 11's on motor at more than 115mph. I want a car that moves.

[Wicked 3800 V6]

Word. Start autocrossing, then you'll really feel inadequate! ha ha ... Why the V6? Because now I have like 5-8 seconds to move up the sheets before I can catch some Mini Cooper S's and some WRX's, and a 5.0L 3rd Gen ... Always room to move up!
-Rob

[Ryan94V6]

I think it is well worth it to mod a V6 camaro/firebird. Ive got my 3.4L and I plan on keeping it "forever" and modding the sh*t out of it. I respect and look up to all the V6'ers that are in the 13's and 12's.Maybe one day ill be up there with all of them with my 3.4L. Right now im only 17 years old so there is much modding ahead for me!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ April 10, 2003: Message edited by: Ryan94V6 ]</p>

[HAZ-Matt]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dominic:
If you needeth more, get more displacement.<hr></blockquote>

And / or simulated displacement.

[SilverTAWS6]

Is it worth it to mod a V6 instead of get a V8?
The answer to that question is what are you looking for? Are you looking to do something different? Then yes. Are you going to be happy running 13's or 12's? Then yes. Are you not going to be happy unless you can mod into the 11's NA or lower? Then no. It all depends on what you want. I loved my V6 and was happy with each mod I put into it. But all in all, I always wanted the V8 and was happy to run 13's in stock trim. Was that impressive since the LS1 should run that stock? Maybe not, but I was happy with it. Just like I'm happy with my 12.449. Yeah, Any LS1 can get into the 12's, but it's also a question of how many mods and stuff you have. My goal is to be in the 11's on bolt on trim. Then I'll go ahead and cam it and run mid to high 11's.

&lt;rant on&gt;
For those of you who don't think it's respectable to run 12's or 11's since it's a V8 :rolleyes: and it's easier, why don't you pick up a Geo Metro and get that to run fast instead of the V6, that would be more respectable since it's almost a 20 second car. Sorry, but I just can't stand seeing all these comments like "anyone can make a LS1 run 12's". And btw, not anyone can do that, it still takes driver skill (there was a guy running a 13.0 with cam, and all the bolt ons a couple weeks back when I was running a 13.0 with far less mods.)
&lt;rant off&gt;

It's all about personal happiness with what you can do and what you want. I'd pick up a V6 in a heartbeat and mod it up if I had the extra cash (I really wish I coulda kept my 2000 Camaro :( ), but I've NEVER had second thoughts of trading in for my V8. Does that mean I hate V6's or think they're worthless to mod? No, I was very happy modding my V6 and had a ton of fun doing it.

All in all, you can't go by what's "cool" or what everyone else thinks, but you have to do what you'd be happy with doing.

Chris

[Tyler]

if you dont think its worth it. at least keep the 6 for daily driver. and if all your caring about is track times. save up some money, and build yourself a drag car. then, you dont have to worry about insuring it and all that...