Well, i've been reading all the post's about the 2.8l to v8 swap.. Car run's good, needs tranny work.. best part is, it's free.. Now my question is, would that be worth swapping a v8 to. I already have my 96 formula, so i'm in no rush to have this car running...

 

I'd detail the Camaro and sell it for profit or just give it away to some kid you know who is just dying to have a Camaro. Put the money into the '96. For less money it'll run waaaaaaay harder and be a more reliable platform.

 

Welcome aboard.

Yours is a common question, and one I wish I had sought a proper answer before I got into my project. Economically, what Qwk is telling you is true. Even getting the car free, what it will cost to get a V8 into it will most likely be more than what it would cost to go out and find a factory V8 car already running.

But, there are the "project" factor and the "I did it myself" bragging rights to consider. Just don't let them go to your head. I love my car, but I went into it in a basically ignorant state. If you're looking for a driver, the V8 conversion is probably not the best investment, especially if you have emissions to consider. If you're making a track-only car out of it, that might be easier to justify.

As we've said many times before, the best way to do this is with a factory V8 donor car, preferably the same year and same brand (Camaro) as what you want to convert. Look around for what it will cost you, then decide if you still think the "free" car is worth it.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R4. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat & 3" cat-back).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. '66 396, 9.7 CR forged TRWs, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, GK 270 cam, Magnum rockers, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders & 3" Warlocks, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, MegaShifter, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Idles smooth @ 600 RPM in D. Best 15.02/95.06 @ 5800' Bandimere (corrected 13.93/102.4 @ sea level).

 

I was looking at it this way, I dont have $4k now for say, a ZZ4. But i could get it as a project that i could work on when i can and when money allows. I like the look of the 3rd gen's also. And I only have till thursday to decide if I want to take the car or not..

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The "spread out the cost" was the rationale I used. But, think it over carefully, because the total cost part still exists.

 

It's more then the motor. All drivetrain pieces are too skimpy to take a ZZ4. You don't have a posi. You will need subframes and control arms at a minimum. It won't be worth squat when you're done. I don't mean to discourage you... well, maybe I do. I will NEVER do another swap like this again. I paid just as much to complete my swap as I did for my supercharged 11 second '94 Vette. Which one would you rather have???? I sold my Vette and broke even. I simply can't afford to sell the Firebird.

 

yea but Qwktrip the firebird is mint!