Ok so as the title stated, my engine (3.1L V6) might need to be replaced/rebuilt in the near future, i've been doing alot of thinking and reading on what i should do when the time comes.. i've thought about going carb... but then an ls1/lt1 swap also seems a good way to go as i've heard from a few 4th gen guy's the ls1 can get up to 30 mpg.. i want some power but also at the same time want at least 20mpg hwy.. also budget's not very high at all, i've looked locally and used engine wise my best bet would be to take a trip to spauldings in spokane... but i also want to be guarenteed that the engine's going to start and know i have everything i need..

The car it's going into is my '92 camaro RS... it's a 5 speed and i'd like to keep it that way (at least keep it standard) can someone give me a little input/help on where to look, and anything to keep in mind... also am i just better paying a local shop to rebuild my V6.. and if i were to go that route what could i do to give it a little more juice without having to pay a big price

 

226k miles, might need to be replaced....?

If your on a small budget, get your hands on any 3.1 with good mileage (can find them everywhere, for very little money), and invest in a turbo setup. You can keep your stock T-5, MPG will actually improve, and it's a great deal ($$$$) less than an LS1 swap....

 

turbo my 3.1?... where would i find one?
and i've never looked into turbo's.. it isn't going to sound.. R I C E is it?

 

'Rice' is when you pretend to have a turbo... actually having one is cool, not rice

It won't sound like some weedeater with a turbo... it will get that nice whistle when you stand on it!

 

If you do a LS1 swap, buy the whole car & part out what you don't use.

 

I've thought about trying to find a cheap-ish 4th gen, but around here i can't find a 98-02.. just one's with LT1's are those bad engines? i've heard some negitive stuff, can someone give me some insite on them?

Also Can anyone give me a place to get a turbo for my engine?

 

An LT1 is far from a 'bad' engine.. in my book, there is really no 'bad' GM engine.. sept the ol 70's 305's that ate lifters away like i do chocolate!

Honestly, an LT1 or LT4 swap would be really simple, and you could build one yourself relatively cheap. Find yourself a 350 shortblock with low miles (EBAY!) and get a pair of LT1 heads, and a LT1 intake. Find a engine/dash harness for it along with the ECM.. IF you were to do it, i did it in my 89 GTA.. was a fun project, and turned out nice.. 22mpg hwy.

 

If i did do these swaps, will my gauges still work.. or am i going to have to do somthing fancy with the wireing?

 

I bought a kit off ebay so i could run all analog gauges, mounted into the same place, and basically looked the same.. just a bit more aftermarket.

 

me and fleabay havn't had the best relatiship.. i've bought 2 things and had 2 bad expriences of the product not being what it said.. i've also heard of people scaming engines.. saying t hey have it and take your money..

 

8 years and hasnt hapend to me yet.

 

I may give it a try again, since my gauges are from 92 does that make any differnence? i heard that 82-89 and 90-92 there was a difference

 

I'm at 275k on my 3.1