v8 engine swap

[ch3vyman816]

I have a 1998 camaro 3.8 with a blown head gasket and was thinking about doing a engine swap instead of fixing the head. But i was trying to see what would be a good engine swap into my camaro that's not going to cost me an arm and leg. And I know this has been asked before but I'm new to this and just trying to get some insite on things. thanks in advance.

[ssms5411]

Are you doing the work yourself? Probably be cheaper to do just do the head gasket?

[ch3vyman816]

Are you doing the work yourself? Probably be cheaper to do just do the head gasket?

Yes i will be doing the work myself....

[ssms5411]

Whats your budget?

[LETZRIDE]

I have a 1998 camaro 3.8 with a blown head gasket and was thinking about doing a engine swap instead of fixing the head. But i was trying to see what would be a good engine swap into my camaro that's not going to cost me an arm and leg. And I know this has been asked before but I'm new to this and just trying to get some insite on things. thanks in advance.

Cheapest thing you can do is fix the head gasket.

The next cheapest thing you can do motor swap wise is swap in another 3.8L v6...they are a dime a dozen and cheap to pickup.

Next to that in the v8 category would be a 5.3L...They are abundant and the prices are a lot more reasonable than an LS1. But here is what you have to remember... an engine swap to anything other than another 3.8L requires you to acquire the following at a minimum in addition to a complete motor:

• Transmission (the v6 ones have a different output shaft than the v8 counterpart)
• wiring harness
• K -frame (the v8 subframe/kframe has different motor mount locations)
• PCM

In all honesty if a v8 is what you want, you'd be better off fixing and selling the v6, buying a v8 (even if it is in rougher condition) and using that as your project. In the long run it would be cheaper.

In any event you can use this website to search the scrap yards in the USA to find your parts http://www.car-part.com/

[ch3vyman816]

I really don't have a budget. But i know i can't afford a crate motor. I was thinking of pulling a motor out the scrap yards and any other parts i can find. This is my winter project. This will be a custom show car.

[LETZRIDE]

Just remember with scrap yard parts you are buying an unknown condition. I have got some real deals at the scrap yards and I have gotten burned too.

My first piece of advice if you want to go this route, write out a parts list with pricing for everything you need. make sure you include all parts that don’t typically come with a long block engine from the scrap yard such as alternators/starters. Make sure you account for replacing gaskets or rebuilding the motor if you are getting a higher mileage engine. Account for coolant/oil etc... then take that final price and add about 30% to it to account for unforseen speedbumps in the swap (broken parts or need to buy/rent a tool)

Then decide if you want to go that route - and if you do, build in any mods you plan on doing in the future that would be easier when pieces are out such as a shift kit in the transmission.

[ch3vyman816]

Are there any mods i can do to make my 3800 faster?? And I'll just fix the head on it.

[ssms5411]

There's planty of mods you can do suspension, engine, turbo, nitrous just depends on your wallet, exhaust and intake are good beginners, i would work on suspension after exhaust and intake, maybe get a shift kit , vette servo if your a auto. Wair on a torque converter until you decide on engine mods.

[ch3vyman816]

what kind of exhaust and intake to use, and i have a 5 speed world class T5.

[2.8 Bird]

Best thing is finding a donor car that's been in a wreck and move things over.

[ssms5411]

what kind of exhaust and intake to use, and i have a 5 speed world class T5.

You could do a 3" exhaust with pacesetter headers, and do a nice lid for the intake. That will run about a grand installed, your M5 is a time bomb when you start on the engine, I think their only rated at the 300 horse power. I blew up my M5 years ago broke 3rd gear. Converted to a auto. You could get a short throw shifter for it. I had a ripper if I remember correctly. It will get costly modding.

[FirebirdGT]

Actually 300 lb-ft of torque. Stock 3800 is 230 lb-ft.

http://www.tremec.com/menu/t-5/

[ssms5411]

Wow, no wonder my 3rd gear shattered, lol But if your going to put down some power you can always get a G-Force 5 speed for about $2000.

[LETZRIDE]

How fast do you want the car? Cartunnings Turbo kit for $5k has been known to put down about 400rwhp. I would certainly rid yourself of the T5 and go with an auto...or if you want a real good project, fit in a T6 from the LS1- I know there was a member that did that swap but it was a bit of work to make it work.

If you want cheap power - nitrous

If you want just a little bit faster and fun to drive, start with bolt ons... headers/exhaust/intake...if you want to stay N/A you can look into a cam swap, porting the heads...remember the rear end v6/v8 can't handle large amounts of power...so whatever you opt for your end goal...keep in mind that at a certain point the rear end must be swapped for a Ford/12bolt