3.8 to LT1

[C.Palmer]

The LS1's are pretty expensive when compared to the LT1. 1st the engine and tranny alone are going to cost more (the LT1 is becoming dated so it's easier to find)

2nd aftermarket parts look to be a little more expensive for the LS1 also. it all comes down to $$ and how much you're willing to spend i guess.

[V6Maniac]

Err.. since my topic was locked and I was referred to this one let me ask my question here. Can you just switch body panels with a wrecked v8? If essentially all is wrong is body work and the frame and such isn't damaged cant you just switch them out? Seems like it would be a heck of a lot easier and quite possibley something you could do yourself. At least that way you wouldn't have to worry about screwing something up in the swapping process.

[daWhoady]

huh?
you can switch body panels, but why unless yours are damaged.

[V6Maniac]

I'm not talking about taking it's body panels, I'm talking about taking mine off and putting them on the Z28. Just as long as it's all body damage and theres nothing serious it could be easily fixed by swapping the body with yours.

[Slow-N-ugly]

I know a guy who swapped an LT1 into a 94/3.4L. He bought the motor w/ a 6spd off ebay for 1700.00 shipped. It was from a vette and had the harness and brain. He did the swap in the parking lot of an apartment complex. He bough a full exhaust and a drive shaft at the time of the swap and that was it. He went through a few gear sets before he upgraded to a completl rear end, I am not sure of what kind. He drives it daily and has had no problems since the new rear end.

[Fat_kid_in_little_camaro]

You may could swap the pannels, but thats just fixing a z28. You still pay the same for insurance and everything, so you may as well go get a good one. all insurance companies do is look at the VIN code and see what your car is. so, you would be better off to just buy a good z28...

[V6Maniac]

Yes but if you try to sell your car the vin won't match anything on the car. As for insurance, they won't pay a dime if you wreck and they see that there's a V8 under the hood. You'd still have to pay V8 insurance even if you put it in there yourself. I'm just thinking it would be a lot cheaper to switch out the body panels on a wrecked z28 than it would be to just buy one not wrecked. You could even part out your v6 and get a little cash back to pay for part of the wrecked z28. Then again it may be simpler to save up a few thousand sell my car and buy one.. ARG! Too many decisions :( .

[C.Palmer]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by FirebirdGT:
And a LT1 fuel tank, and engine wiring harness, and heater/AC box on the firewall. Yes, all are different from the V6.

Call Scott at http://www.speedautomotive.com/ they have done many V6 to V8 swaps. They will do it for $1500 in 32 hours, plus parts. ;) <hr></blockquote>

firebird..... i checked into it some more. you do NOT need a new fuel tank.... all you NEED to do is swap the lines. It would be wise to change the pump, but it is NOT required. My friend Lance did the 3.8-LT1 swap and has been driving it for almost a year on the original pump and tank. I'm not saying i disagree that the pump should be switched.... it's a good idea. i'm just saying it can be done without switching it to save some money in the beginning. No complaints from Lance thus far....

oh and V6maniac- your insurance will still cover you if you swap engines in most states. call and check before hand like i did.

[ October 04, 2002: Message edited by: C.Palmer ]</p>

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by C.Palmer:
firebird..... i checked into it some more. you do NOT need a new fuel tank.... all you NEED to do is swap the lines. It would be wise to change the pump, but it is NOT required. My friend Lance did the 3.8-LT1 swap and has been driving it for almost a year on the original pump and tank. I'm not saying i disagree that the pump should be switched.... it's a good idea. i'm just saying it can be done without switching it to save some money in the beginning. No complaints from Lance thus far....<hr></blockquote>

You need the LT1 or LS1 fuel tank/pump if you want to do it RIGHT! Yes all the fuel lines are needed, and the wiring is different. If you want to hack the wiring harness that's fine with me.

It's obvious that you have not talked to Scott, or you would not still be trying to defend your position. Scott was the one who explained to me all the wiring problems you get into in a swap. You could also say thay you don't need the V8 firewall heater/AC box - yes you can use the V6 stuff after you modifiy and bastardize it to make the V8/V6 connectors fit. Scott did all that on the first car he swapped, he learned the hard way what you need to replace.

[C.Palmer]

i'm not trying to argue the idea.. i'm just saying it doesn't need to be done. Grantite- if i was doing the swap I would change out the tank and everything to avoid the hassels if needed.

on to a new topic:

if someone is preparing for a swap, you can do things like upgrading the suspension/rear first but what about things like fuel lines? Can you use LT1 fuel lines for a 3.8 or 3.4 so that portion is done before you swap engines? i'm just trying to think of everything that could be done BEFORE the swap so it's less to deal with when the big day comes...