Okay, I'm buying a 1986(I think) Camaro V6 from a friend for $200. The reason he is selling it is he spun a rod bearing and decided to buy a V8 Camaro instead of fixing it. He is also giving me another V6 that runs which I could swap in. But, my brothers boss has 3, 305 V8's that were taken out of mid-90's Chevy trucks. He said he would let me have these for free.

My question is should I stick with the V6 or swap in a V8? If I stick with the V6 should I just put the running motor in or rebuild it? I know with the V8 I would have to get a different radiator, motor mounts, and springs, but what else would I need? Would it hook up to the computer? I have some knowledge of motors and my brother rebuilds them all the time, but neither of us knows very much about the electronic stuff. I wouldn't mind sticking with the V6. What mods can I make to the V6 to get more power. I don't have to have to much power, I just want to be able to roast the tires and beat the local Mustangs, which are all V6's.

Sorry for being so long winded. I have know clue what to do so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Welcome aboard.

Don't buy a V6 car if you intend to put a V8 in it. Even if you get the V8 for free, you're going to need so much other stuff that the best thing to do is buy a donor V8 car.

If you can pay $200 and get enough stuff with it to get it running with only your labor, then it might be worth considering. But, if you want to beat V6 Mustangs, save your money and go find a factory V8 3rd gen.

Basically, I'm saying don't make the mistake I made. The advantage you have is you know about thirdgen.org before you've put out any cash.

 

Thanks for replying. I'll have to think about it some more. Maybe I could just fix the V6 and sell the car. I'll have to see if I can talk him down a little more on the price.

 

Good advice.......now if you want a project car that kills some free time and $$$$ you are on the right track...I also wish I had known about this board before starting my swap.......But, I never would have been able to finish it without the help of guys like 5-7..:hail:
Wait a minute...did I say finish?

PS.
check out the mods on previous v-6 cars...our list is extensive...not all by choice!

 

Unfortunetly i didnt find this site until my swap was done
it would of saved my a lot of headaches.....

I got a really good deal on a V6 camaro, that was in excellent shape inside and out.....so i bought it

then i got a really good deal on a V8 parts car(free) and i bought a rebuilt 350 for $900

In the end i figure i saved between 1-2K over buying a factory V8 car.....and i also enjoy working on my car, so if i had to do it again, i would probably by another V6 car if the deals are right...

If you search around and find good deal, i think the swap is totally worth it

good luck with it

 

I paid $200 for the V6 car, and $850 for the donor car. I spent another $300 on replacement things (belts, hoses, radiator - didn't even do alternator, water pump, or starter). I made back about $200 selling unused stuff off of the two. As I was cleaning off the V8 engine/tranny before stabing it into the V6 car, my neighbor pulls up in the '87 'Bird (350 TPI) which he had just purchased for $950.

If you can't find a factory V8 car for less than what you'd spend to produce an equivalent car from a factory V6 car, you haven't looked enough.

 

I looked for almost 2 years.....

All the V8 cars around me had very bad bodys, or so much bondo in them it wasnt funny, and the still wanted around $2500. I drove probably 20-30 V8 camaro's and they are drove like crap from being abused. Then i found My v6 camaro for a great price, and had been sitting in a barn for a few years, and it drove great. The thing i found with a 305 car with t-tops it rattled a lot more then a v6 t-top car. Now that i have a 350 in mine i hope with SFC, STB, and a wonderbar i will be able to stop the rattling before it gets bad.

I also like working on my car, and doing the stuff so i know its done right....

I could of gotten a a few 350 TPI cars for around $800- $1200, but they rattled terriblely, they needed tons of body work, and brand new suspension, brakes, and numerous other things. It just wasnt worth it to me.

 

I say swap all 3 305s into it, then you can have a VVV24

 

Ill have to say im with FyreLance on this one. If you install all 3 youd have more HP than a ZZ4 or a 350 TPI. Go VVV24:rockon: