I'm pretty set on a camaro (hoping to buy it this weekend) but it's a 1992 Camaro RS with a 3.1 litter V6, which looking at the stuff on this site is the smallest engine on a 92 Camaro. So what I'm asking is should I stick with this? or upgrade to something bigger. It's just a car I'm going to work on as a hobby, but I still want a fast car. What would you suggest doing with it?

 

for power out of the box, a v6 camaro isn't your choice car. You'd probably want the performance models Z28/IROC or Trans Am. There were numerous engine combinations out there when these cars were introduced, v6, v8, and performance v8 options, the nice thing on the highly available 305 TBI v8, is it makes swapping to a more powerful v8 engine easier in the future.

 

So is it better off to get a 3.1 v6 with everything i want, just needs a little body work? or should I get a v8 that needs a lot of work, but...has a v8?

also, if I did end up with a v6, could I pay for an engine swap, or would that just cost an outrageous amount? I was going to call around today, but I ran out of time. Reading one of the stickys makes it sound pretty hard, so I'd assume it would cost alot if it was even an option.

 

swapping to a v8 isnt impossible, but it sounds like your financial situation is that you can't have both worlds. If you want a good running, good condition, Z28 or IROC, you're going to have to cough up some $$, if you want a ratted out Z28, you can find it for cheaper, but odds are it's been beat hard and put away wet. Finding a good conditioned V6 car will be eaiser, but without serious effort, it's not going to be a performance contender. What you need to decide, is, whats best for YOU.

 

Yeah, like the others say, if you want power, get a v8, preferably a 350 motor. Getting a v6 car and then do the swap isnt worth it. Think about all the parts you need to change, motor, cooling system, transmission, ECM, wiring harness, etc.

 

Ya thats what I figured. I wish that I had a better job last summer, so I actually had money to spend on it. I have just been earning everything very recently and noticing that it costs a lot for a semi-decent v8 camaro....in my area. Thanks for your help, I think I'm just going to shop around for an ok z28 or iroc.

 

v6 to v8 swap aint that bad if u are going to a carbed v8, but it still does require alot of work and parts swapping, where are u located at, if ure anywhere near me id help ya do it no problem.....

 

Utah, no where near.

 

Going with a cheaper V6 91-92 RS would be my choice, the V8 swap isnt half of what people make it out to be, most of the parts that get replaced typically also get replaced when people realize the V8 thirdgen they bought has a pretty weak engine that doesnt respond all that well to mods.

Swapping to an LT1 or LS1 is about the best way to get a good proper running, and fast thirdgen. I'd suggest doing a bunch of research in the engine swap section, as most that are in the V6 section dont have experience with a V6->V8 swap, and will only tell you what they heard from their brothers uncles mothers step son, and some of what they made up in their heads.

IMO your best choice would be a 91-92 V6 RS, auto, that hasnt been in a wreck at all, paint faded as can be, and the lowest price you can find within that description.

 

So we're making it up are we?

Seriously though, there's only a handful of guys here (firstfirebird, fast355, dave's12secv6, ect.) making any decent progress with these v6's. I'm still just cobbling parts together for my build.

Realistically you're going to put about the same amount of effort into a v8 swap as building up the 6, so it's up to you. V6= good handling, decent power; v8= instant power, noseheavy.

 

You keep telling yourself that, meanwhile in the realistic world, you're going to do a lot of work assembling some "hybrid" crossbreed mutt of an engine, and still have less power than a stock LT1 swapped in with external bolt-on accessories, and have had to do a lot more work, typically spending more $ too.
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Before you go ASSuming i'm just guessing on the work required to do each swap. Heres a few examples of a few i've done.

86 Z28 LG4 to 2.8 MPFI (what a carb V8 TO efi V6 ??)

Same car above to LT1/T5

88 sport coupe 305 TBI -> LT1/T56

91 RS someone elses hackjob 3.1 -> carb, to LT1/4L60E

92 RS 305 TBI -> LT1/4L60E

88 Coupe 305 TBI -> 92 5.0 TPI/T5

Car above to LT1/T56

91 RS 3.1 -> LT1/4L60E

Nose heavy , aaaaaahahahahahahaha, keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better, in 99.5% of the thirdgens on the road, this supposed advantage someones put in your head by having a hair less weight up front, really doesnt exist.

 

lol thats going to start a war here. you really like installing LT1s, good engines . The LT1 and LS1 change the car world forever. Both respond very well to mods, both do decent on gas. Parts are everywhere for those 2.

 

I was actually agreeing with you, so before you go ASSuming I'm calling you out take a second look at what I wrote before making yourself out to be an a$$.

It would take about the same effort to rebuild and install either an LT1 or hybrid v6. I don't see why you assume it would cost more to build one of these v6's than any other engine. Firstfirebird's motor was done for ~$1000 (granted he has acess to a machine shop) and my build'll only be ~$800. As far as handling goes I've driven v8 thirdgens and of course my own. Another ~200lbs off the nose makes a big difference.

 

i got a 93 3.1, and im satisfied with it for now. i bought mine on abudget and doin little by little. eventually after the winter i'll do a v8 swap, only if i cant find enough perfomance parts for my v6 rebuild. but initally, its up to you and your budget. if my money would have allowed it v8 all the way from the jump! but kids ...huh! the six is not bad, but if you want power at whatever costs, go eight! just make sure it runs good!