The car im looking to buy has a v-6 how hard is it to swap with v-8?

 

i will be the first to suggest using the search feature in the red tool bar above, and if i'm not mistaken there is a post at the very top of the "Engine Swap" forum of how to put a V8 in a V6 and all that is needed. Can't remember so don't quote me.

List of things needed (include but not limited to):

V8 (Obviously)
V8 Transmission (v6 mounts differently, won't work)
front v8 springs
V8 motor mounts
V8 Radiator among other things

hope this helps.

 

Nope not needed.

90-92 used the same radiator so this will depend on the year vehicle he is looking to buy.

Red95, it will depend greatly upon the combination of what year thirdgen you buy, and the engine / trans you are installing.

 

In my experience, they were. If you have auto tranny, AC, etc., V6 springs won't cut it.
He said he's looking at an '86. But, as stated, if the car is '90-'92 (i.e., 3.1l), it uses the same radiator as V8.

 

That really depends a lot on accessories used, true. However i've done the swap to a stock 305tbi, on V6 springs, everything retained except air injection, and the ride height definetly wasnt lower than installing lowering springs on an already V8 thirdgen. I've also done the swap to LT1/4L60E, the car needs lowering springs, it may even be higher than it was before the swap.

 

V6 springs don't have the same rate as V8 lowering springs. You're much more likely to be bottoming out with V6 springs and a V8 engine.

 

With a fully dressed iron headed, a/c equipped tbi engine, as I said, it was lower than stock, however not slammed and did not bottom out. With a fully dressed LT1, auto, 91 RS, sitting at about the stock height, doesnt bottom out, drives just fine. Yes in THEORY, it would be great to swap the springs, however in reality, from those with actual experience, the springs need not be swapped, perpetuating a myth based on someones guess does nothing to help people actually considering a swap.

 

As I said, "in my experience" the V8 front springs were needed. The car had new V6 springs put in by the previous owner; I figured since they were new they would hold up the V8. They did not. It often bottomed out going over speed bumps, and when going through the dip turning onto the street on my way home. It happened every day (since the car was, and still is, my daily driver), and I soon tired of it. I still had the V8 donor car at the time, so I swapped the front springs out and haven't had a problem in the 8 years since.

The myth being perpetuated, in my experience, would be that V6 springs can stay when you swap in the heavier cast iron block and headed V8. Many others have reported similarly.

If your experience was different, you are the exception. The only members who've reported being okay with V6 springs, that I recall, didn't have AC or auto tranny.

 

I did a V8 swap on my 82 camaro a few years back. the car had a 2.8 litre 2 bbl, th200 trans I put a 350/turbo 350 trans into it. the only problem I ran into was mounting the torque arm to the turbo 350. every thing else was pretty easy. Make sure you put V8 springs in it I left my V6 springs in it and it bottomed out on every little bump.