Great site lots of excellent info
Me and my boys 13 and 15 are thinking of doing up a car. Thinking of a 5L mustang or Camero. Leaning toward the chevy because of the availability of small block 350 parts. Look better too hehehehe
Been scanning the articles and see everything is her to get going. Because of our budget probably will have to get a v6 and swap out the motor. Anybody have any success getting some serious horsepower out of a v6?
We want to find a nice clean 3rd gen z28 clean interior and exterior.
Fun project and we will all learn something too.
Any tips to get us pointed in the right direction. I'm looking for a car, will take my time so I can find the right one! Any specific year to lean towards?
Thanks for any tips
ROR

 

This wont save any money, trust me. I have done the v6 > v8 swap. There are only two reasons to do the swap

1. Sentimental Value
2. Stupidity

Trust me, no matter how much of #1 there is, there has to be some #2 for you to finish it. It is much, much, cheaper and easier to just get a V8 car to begin with. The only reason I did it, was because I had the car through 5 years of college, kids, ex-wife, jobs, you name it. It was my friend. I still kinda regret it at times, even though it is a blast to drive. If you are truly making a project car out of it, it really doesnt matter a whole lot what you get, year wise. I would look for a car that already has a L98 in it. If you can start with a roller L98, you are already ahead of the ballgame cash wise. Of course, barring someone pulling a switch, this limits you to automatic cars. If you decide to go thirdgen, post it here, there are a lot of people here who like to help.

PS I would edit out the part about the second gen if I were you, or else this will get locked, strict rules on third gen only content here.

 

Wow thanks for all the great tips Good to hear from a guy that has been down the path. I will take your advice just got up after a night shift feeling a little groggy. Sorry for the 2nd 3rd gen mix up
ROR

 

i trully respect you. It isn't until now, 22, that my dad has shown the slightest interest in me and him doing a project car. too bad i already started my camaro and he has a 68 torino and 69 cyclone.

 

lol i hear that midnights suck...LOL

doing the v-6 to v-8 swap isnt too difficult but like ljnowell said its not the most logical of swaps.....

especially if you havent purchased a vehicle yet you would be much better to get a v8 to begin with...



as far as doing a project with your kids ...i gotta give you a big ol on that its nice to see someone doing this with thier kids and teaching them about cars....


i myself will be working with my boy this winter on our 66 impala hopefully ...he is only 9 well 10 tomorow ...LOL...so i only have 6 years to get it done ......it might be able to move under its own power by then...LMAO...as long as funds come in ......

but just have fun and enjoy the project and dont let it discourage you at all ...have fun with it no matter which route you go with v6 to v8 or starting out with a v8 .....good luck and have fun

 

Once again I disagree with you. Cheaper to go v6 to v8 - Definatley
Easier to go v8 to v8 - Definatley

I suggest you speak for youself as you have can a fairly good conditioned v6 camaro for just about $1200 opposed to $3000-4000 for a good conditioned v8.

Motor mounts, wiring harness (which must be spliced even if it is a v8), springs are personal preference as I have the v6 with no problems as does br()bert, new tranny, and fuel pump still will not add up to to the price you will pay for the v8. it is easier, I will agree, but definatley not stupid to go from v6-v8.

 

if your looking into getting a v6 your not gonna find a z28 with one in it unless someone put one in it ..LOL

you will find either a sport coupe , berlinetta , or RS....with a v6 ....or you can look for a firebird with one in it ....but regardless i still say it would be easier to start with a v8 and go that route unless you get one heck of a deal on a v6 car ....

you can usually find a good v8 car for around $2000-$2500 around here for a project that can be driven ....a v6 car in good condition is usally $1500-$2000

so you need to look at your budget and figure out exactly how much you have to spend ....

 

Well I can say that finding a V8 car up here is easy, and cheap, just take your time looking, ... expecially spring and fall, when most kids are selling cars for European adventures, and fall for going back to school.

I was lucky to find mine too older (30+) owners that took very good care, granted Im 24 and I take excellent care of my car ... but Im also hard on it too, so.

but good on you to build with your kids, that's cool.

anyways, easier, cheaper ... it's all relative to induction type.

if your looking for FI, then I suggest starting with an FI car.

if going Carb then any one of the years/models will do, just go for the really mint one. it's worth it in the end.

also check your PM.

 

We go round and round here about whether the V6-V8 swap is "worth it".

If you need an emissions-compliant vehicle, it is going to be more involved and more expensive.

If you just want something that will move under its own power, you can get by cheaper.

Either way, the best way to start the swap is with a complete factory V8 donor car, even if you don't use the engine from it. There are a lot of parts involved, and if you haven't done so yet, go up to the "Important/Useful Information" sticky above about the swap.

As stated, though, if you want a Z28, it isn't going to have a V6 in it.

(And, since they didn't put V6's in 2nd gens, it's pretty clear the discussion has to be about 3rd gens, at least.)

 

ljnowell pointed that one out earlier....

i think he made an honest newbee mistake on which gen he was interested in

 

I don't wanna nitpick here, but they did in '80 and '81

 

Thats your opinion, and I say opinion. Because it is not cheaper, as a fact. To get a car of equal condition, in my area, and most others, will cost around 500 more for a V8 car. The 500 dollars is well spent when you consider the alternative.

I dont need to speak for myself, an opinion was asked for, and given. Your facts are flawed. There isnt a 2800 dollar difference in the value of v6 to v8 cars. Anywhere.

Dont start arguments just to justify what you did. You got a good deal on a car, and it made it worth it to you. To YOU. It was worth it to ME. It isnt worth it to most people.

Instead of arguing, why dont we take up a count of other people that have done this swap? Five7, me, you, etc. He can make up his own mind. Or for that matter, let him price the cars in his area, and he will see how far out of whack your opinion is.

And yes, mounts, tranny, radiator, hoses, fuel pump, belts, accessories, plus all of the little things that always crop up, will most definately cost more than the difference between a v6 and v8 car.

 

Im not and realize you are very knowledgable and no way justifying my cost vs performance on my car. I simply find the statement you made 'stupidity' to be out line. I don't know what the goin rates are up there. When I buy an engine, im looking for a full package not a long block, so you yourself are assuming. I stated it was an opinion, please do not flame me for doing so, I am merely disagreeing with you, not putting your judgement down.

 

Seriously man, the stupid part is a little bit of a joke, on myself. I'm not calling everyone who does this swap stupid. Its an implied level of craziness that one must have. Once you are done with the swap, everyone will pat you on the back and say "wow, good job". The entire time you are doing it they will tell you that you are dumb for doing it, when v8 cars are so cheap. This is what I was talking about. I'm surely not about to put down all of the swappers, myself included, by calling us stupid. As for flaming, I guess the words may have been a little harsh, but barring an exceptional deal, it would be a lot cheaper just to find a decent V8 car. I know that if I were to look around, for the money that I spent on mine, I could have gotten a car in better shape that already had a v8. But, then again, it wouldnt have my engine, which is Far from stock.

 

In that case I agree with you as I stated, I do no longer know the going rates of our vehicles. But I do know that a slick 91-92 Z28 here in town goes for $5000 and a 91-92 3.1 will easily go for no more than $1500.

It can be quite cheaper, however it is nullified when you can pick the v8 up for the same cost. I concur.

 

A couple of guys on the V6 board have been fabbing turbos for the v6's. One guy (Doward) just ran at the track and when he gets traction should be in the mid 14's.

Finding a nice clean 3rd gen may be limited to V6. Most clean v8's do command a premium and the other similar priced v6 and v8 cars usaually lead to the 8 being ratted out and abused.

Most any year is decent. However, quality did go up as time progressed so the newer, the better. I like the earlier models but that's because there are fewer around.