Well heres my little situation here.....

I just got a 2.8L v6 1985 camaro and I really want a V8 in there. Theres some work to be done to that v6 that I could just turn around and use the money for a swap. Now heres a few things to note.

#1 I don't have the tools to do this or know anyone that does.

#2 I'm probably going to have the engine rebuilt (theres a company that sells rebuilt engines)

How much do you think it'll run me to have a mechanic to do this work for me? Am I looking at an arm in and a leg or maybe a lil more doable? Will 2000 dollars cover it all? Thanks alot for any responses

Honestly.I dont think most garages would touch the v6 to v8 swap.If they did it would cost alot more than 2 grand.Since you don't have any friends that are backyard mechanics to help you out I would either look for a V8 car or look into the options for hopping up the V6

It is going to be pretty costly, even if you could do it yourself.

From what I have heard, you basically need a donor car for most of the parts (ex. k-member, tranny, etc.). I would just look into buying a car with a V8. I haven't personally done this, so I may be wrong. Good luck either way.

its not that costly to do it yourself and you dont need a doner car to do it either ...the k-member is the same all you have to do is swap the mounts to a v-8 and put them in the correct mounting holes....but i agree with everyone else if you dont have the knowledge and friends to help your not going to get it done for the 2,000 thats in your budget im afraid .....we have done it in my garage before and only cost really other than the engine and transmission is the mounts and radiator and hoses ,belts and usual stuff for a tune up .....

dang I wish one of you guys lived near lincoln so I could get some help

you could basicly buy a new car for whatit would cost you and it would be the same outcome unless your putting in a performance crate engine

I'm 18 and I got this camaro for 1000 bux.... gettin another car would basically be outta the question cuz I'd rather have the swap

Im 18 as well and I paid the same for mY v6 and my v8
but yeah seriously just leave it a V6 and save up money then buy the car you want it will work out much better

I guess that makes the most sense..... I'm sure I can pick up a V8 third gen for like 2000..... there was an ad for one a while back cept the owner never called back guess he didnt want it sold that badly :P

just get a job/keep your job and build up funds in the bank and then when one becomes available youll be able to jump on it

and oh yeah make sure you know everything you need to before then I bought my first car when I knew absolutely nothing and my second when I knew just a little so I didnt get what I really wanted

ok cool..... im actually considering taking a second job if the first job i have now doesnt give me the right amount of hours.

good luck dude

thanks alot...

only thing i can see that might interfere with is school. I start in fall and it "may" interfere with my work schedule although school isnt long at all.... 4 classes for the entire week and they dont even meet much so hopefullly i'll be able to keep another job

well even if you cant keep a second job just put a little money aside from each paycheck and dont let yourself spend it and after about a year or so you should have a good bit built up

and anyways a six is a better daily driver less power less urge to step on it and get tickets and less gas consumption I would reccomend keeping it till you get done with school and bag a good job that lets you have some play around money

Thunder, I live in Holton KS, still kinda far away, but almost a straight shot along US-75. I'm finishing up swapping out my 2.8L for a 305, and I've got about $1600 into it, paid 700, and that was with having the block cleaned and rebuilding it myself (hope it runs), and having my fiance's dad giving me a TH350 he rebuilt and never used , mind you though, this was doing it all myself, and the cost is in parts alone. Swapping between a computer controlled 2.8 and non-computer V-8 is much easier said than done, (lost my temper the other night and put a nice ding in the fender). Stick with the V-6 and just keep up on the tune-ups.

If you're really dead set on swapping it out, and have somewhere to work on it, buy tools one at a time, ie. engine stand, hoist, leveler, and also, unfortunately and frustratingly enough, METRIC tools of all sorts. Then buy a decent car that will last the year and a half it takes you to go step by step in the Chilton's book and internet message board instructions, which you most surely will, at one point, end up having to repeat because you can't find that 13mm socket, and the engine rattles when you turn it over on the stand (oh, yes, i really did it), after the heads AND intake were on

And don't even think about crossing the fuel line along the crossmember under the engine. The exhaust will be WAY too close to the fuel lines and you'll end up having to re-reroute the lines up along the fenderwell and across the bottom radiator support, all the while cursing profusely.....(pause for breath)

All in all, it will be a wonderful and fruitful learning experience you will NEVER forget...nor will the guys at the auto parts store, who will know you by first name and know exactly what you are doing, and will learn to guess what it is you are coming in for. The scary thing is, they will probably guess correctly. Also, LABEL THE ****ING WIRING!!!!