3.8 to LS1 Swap, User Friendly or Nightmare?

[hardrabbit]

I've got a 98 Firebird with the 3.8, I'm already planning what changes to make. I wanted the LS1, but got the 3.8 for a good price. I'm debating on where to go. Does anyone know how the LS1 swap goes. Can the wiring harnesses be interchanged? Suspension issues? Engine mounting? Any comments would be appreciated...

[FirebirdGT]

Talk to Scott at www.speedautomotive.com .

[Camaro_Guy00]

Actually it's better to buy a F-Body with the 3.8 in it then swap. the insurance company goes by VIN # to see what engine you have in it. if it pulls up as 3.8 liter it's a sports car. if it says 5.7 liter(LS1) it's considered performance vehicle. Like DOUBLE the insurance premiums. i checked and the insurance company says that there is not a thing they can do about you changing motors. anyway. i'm thinking of buying a smashed up Z28 to change everything over. i heard they are not actually that bad to swap. I have a friend that is a GM mechanic and he is gonna help me do it for free because he wants to know how to do it when he does it to his. anyway i'll ask him how hard they are. he said he's pretty sure it's kinda easy. [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[xjarayax]

And you realize if you wreck without telling the insurance that you have the new LS1 in it they won't cover it at all right? What's the point of insurance then.

Sam

[FirebirdGT]

http://www.camarov6.com/cgi-bin/ulti...&f=16&t=000894


Do a Search and you will find more info.

[kwicfirebrd]

hey if your in floridA i know A shop thAt does it all the time And they hAve the best price just e mAil me with All your questions And ill take them to the shop

[Dirty8-un-Dreds]

I just wonder if its cost effective. Think of it this way, extensive mods + supercharger is gonna be like 6-8 k. With some tuning and goodlaunch im sure that with the right mods 10's are within reach. Swap to an ls1 will be how much... im assuming like 4-5k overall and youll be in the mid 13's or lower if you get a gem. Plus moe work and youll be in whatever category u want to be. Cost effectively it would seem that you could mod the hell out of yer 3.8 and be in the same pice boat as the ls1 swap, but with better times. Although the ls1 is a monster and has waaaaay more potential. Just depends on one thing $$$$$$$$$

[Silver00]

spent 3500 and my car is one sweet thing. i'd go ls1 and if u can, buy a car wrecked not to bad and part it out. that will help offset the car. my out of pocket was 3500 for the motor and trans, cam, converter, headers, lid and filter, plugs and wires, and INSTALL (hookup). Night and Day Diff....

Silver00

[hardrabbit]

Well from the little bit of research I've been doing, I'm not real sure about an LS1 swap. Seems like a lot of work when I could sell my V-6 and go buy the LS1. A friend of mine was thinking of a stroked 406 with a stand alone fuel injection and computer system. That spooks me a bit. Whatcha think?

[67-03 RIP]

The standalone computer would be great for performance (F.A.S.T, Accel, Holley, etc) but keep in mind if you need any of the emissions, A4 shifting or any other factory computer functions that those computers generally don't do any of that. GM Hightech Performance had an article on this very thing about an issue or two ago. After they spent the money for the new box, they shelled out another $500-$700 to get a special wiring harness that actually kept the stock box to control all the functions the upgraded one didn't.

Ron

[TheBulldog]

what about smog rules, i live in CA and i think the rules here say something about changing a motor with an equal or lesser performance or something like that.

[mike24]

If u had a complete LS1, including Mounts and everything, and a transmission, what else would u need, I guess what im sayin is what is transferable and whats not?