1984 Camaro sport engine swap
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1984 Camaro sport engine swap
Hi I have a 84 camaro sport, And yes it's a 4 CYL 4banger. The body of the car and interior is in mint condition with very low miles. I'm planning on putting in a LT1. But I really want a Ls1 what kind of budget should I have for either one of those swaps? Please let me know thank.
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Re: 1984 Camaro sport engine swap
LT1 in an overall way is a much tougher swap; the engines are harder to find in swap-ready condition, and when you find one that needs "a little work", the $$$$ pile up FAST.
Advantage of the LT1 is, it's a small block Chevy; exhaust in particular is a no-brainer.
Best swap going, right now, for someone in your spot, is probably a 2000 - 2004 or thereabouts 5.3 out of a truck. It's the same basic motor as the LS1 except there's like A BILLION of em in the world so they're DIRT CHEEEEEP. The power difference is fairly small, but the $$$$ difference, and the condition difference (since they come outta TRUCKS not outta hot-rods) as well as the availability difference (see above) works in your favor. Stock, in a truck, they're good for something right close to 300 HP. With a set of headers, (which you'll need regardless) no other changes, probably something in the 335 - 350 HP range, for probably in the $3000 - 3500 ballpark drive-in to drive-out. BIG step up from a 4-cyl. Get the 4L60E that goes with it, slap it in, enjoy.
Advantage of the LT1 is, it's a small block Chevy; exhaust in particular is a no-brainer.
Best swap going, right now, for someone in your spot, is probably a 2000 - 2004 or thereabouts 5.3 out of a truck. It's the same basic motor as the LS1 except there's like A BILLION of em in the world so they're DIRT CHEEEEEP. The power difference is fairly small, but the $$$$ difference, and the condition difference (since they come outta TRUCKS not outta hot-rods) as well as the availability difference (see above) works in your favor. Stock, in a truck, they're good for something right close to 300 HP. With a set of headers, (which you'll need regardless) no other changes, probably something in the 335 - 350 HP range, for probably in the $3000 - 3500 ballpark drive-in to drive-out. BIG step up from a 4-cyl. Get the 4L60E that goes with it, slap it in, enjoy.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Re: 1984 Camaro sport engine swap
LT1 in an overall way is a much tougher swap; the engines are harder to find in swap-ready condition, and when you find one that needs "a little work", the $$$$ pile up FAST.
Advantage of the LT1 is, it's a small block Chevy; exhaust in particular is a no-brainer.
Best swap going, right now, for someone in your spot, is probably a 2000 - 2004 or thereabouts 5.3 out of a truck. It's the same basic motor as the LS1 except there's like A BILLION of em in the world so they're DIRT CHEEEEEP. The power difference is fairly small, but the $$$$ difference, and the condition difference (since they come outta TRUCKS not outta hot-rods) as well as the availability difference (see above) works in your favor. Stock, in a truck, they're good for something right close to 300 HP. With a set of headers, (which you'll need regardless) no other changes, probably something in the 335 - 350 HP range, for probably in the $3000 - 3500 ballpark drive-in to drive-out. BIG step up from a 4-cyl. Get the 4L60E that goes with it, slap it in, enjoy.
Advantage of the LT1 is, it's a small block Chevy; exhaust in particular is a no-brainer.
Best swap going, right now, for someone in your spot, is probably a 2000 - 2004 or thereabouts 5.3 out of a truck. It's the same basic motor as the LS1 except there's like A BILLION of em in the world so they're DIRT CHEEEEEP. The power difference is fairly small, but the $$$$ difference, and the condition difference (since they come outta TRUCKS not outta hot-rods) as well as the availability difference (see above) works in your favor. Stock, in a truck, they're good for something right close to 300 HP. With a set of headers, (which you'll need regardless) no other changes, probably something in the 335 - 350 HP range, for probably in the $3000 - 3500 ballpark drive-in to drive-out. BIG step up from a 4-cyl. Get the 4L60E that goes with it, slap it in, enjoy.
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From: Clark NJ
Car: 1988 Pontiac Transam GTA Notchback
Engine: 2003 Chevy 5.3 Vortec (325 cu)
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 1984 Camaro sport engine swap
5.3's are cheap, I just started piecing together the stuff for my swap and including the engine and new heads and a lot of other stuff I am in 3500. I have all of my f-body specific stuff except for the engine mounts and I still need a 4L60e. (and a starter and alternator would help too lol...)
the swap is well worth it, as I have said before, you literally lose all of the old problems your car has had because you literally swap everything that is power-train related. Stock for stock a 5.3 will kick the 350 sbc's a$$ any day of the week and twice on Sunday and still have the gas mileage to out drive an sbc.
the swap is well worth it, as I have said before, you literally lose all of the old problems your car has had because you literally swap everything that is power-train related. Stock for stock a 5.3 will kick the 350 sbc's a$$ any day of the week and twice on Sunday and still have the gas mileage to out drive an sbc.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Re: 1984 Camaro sport engine swap
5.3's are cheap, I just started piecing together the stuff for my swap and including the engine and new heads and a lot of other stuff I am in 3500. I have all of my f-body specific stuff except for the engine mounts and I still need a 4L60e. (and a starter and alternator would help too lol...)
the swap is well worth it, as I have said before, you literally lose all of the old problems your car has had because you literally swap everything that is power-train related. Stock for stock a 5.3 will kick the 350 sbc's a$$ any day of the week and twice on Sunday and still have the gas mileage to out drive an sbc.
the swap is well worth it, as I have said before, you literally lose all of the old problems your car has had because you literally swap everything that is power-train related. Stock for stock a 5.3 will kick the 350 sbc's a$$ any day of the week and twice on Sunday and still have the gas mileage to out drive an sbc.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,271
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From: stallings,n.c.
Car: 1989 camaro rs convertable
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 7.5"3.42 gears forth gen 2000 camar
Re: 1984 Camaro sport engine swap
LT1 in an overall way is a much tougher swap; the engines are harder to find in swap-ready condition, and when you find one that needs "a little work", the $$$$ pile up FAST.
Advantage of the LT1 is, it's a small block Chevy; exhaust in particular is a no-brainer.
Best swap going, right now, for someone in your spot, is probably a 2000 - 2004 or thereabouts 5.3 out of a truck. It's the same basic motor as the LS1 except there's like A BILLION of em in the world so they're DIRT CHEEEEEP. The power difference is fairly small, but the $$$$ difference, and the condition difference (since they come outta TRUCKS not outta hot-rods) as well as the availability difference (see above) works in your favor. Stock, in a truck, they're good for something right close to 300 HP. With a set of headers, (which you'll need regardless) no other changes, probably something in the 335 - 350 HP range, for probably in the $3000 - 3500 ballpark drive-in to drive-out. BIG step up from a 4-cyl. Get the 4L60E that goes with it, slap it in, enjoy.
Advantage of the LT1 is, it's a small block Chevy; exhaust in particular is a no-brainer.
Best swap going, right now, for someone in your spot, is probably a 2000 - 2004 or thereabouts 5.3 out of a truck. It's the same basic motor as the LS1 except there's like A BILLION of em in the world so they're DIRT CHEEEEEP. The power difference is fairly small, but the $$$$ difference, and the condition difference (since they come outta TRUCKS not outta hot-rods) as well as the availability difference (see above) works in your favor. Stock, in a truck, they're good for something right close to 300 HP. With a set of headers, (which you'll need regardless) no other changes, probably something in the 335 - 350 HP range, for probably in the $3000 - 3500 ballpark drive-in to drive-out. BIG step up from a 4-cyl. Get the 4L60E that goes with it, slap it in, enjoy.
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