LT1 or LS1 in a V6

[Fueled_By_Dew]

What's going everyone. I am new to the site but not new to owning a Camaro. I have owned two and looking to buy another. I have always wanted to put either an LT1 or an LS1 motor into a Camaro. My only problem is I see a bunch of Camaros with a V6 for $1500 or less and the 305 V8 from $3000 on up. I am looking to buy a 92 and was wondering if I bought the one with a V6 wouldn't it be significantly cheaper to swap in an LT1 or LS1 than buy a Camaro with a V8 and doing the swap? I figured with all the money I would be saving in not buying the V8 I could get the engine I want. Also I would bring it to my mechanic not something I would do. Also if I did go the V6 route I would be able to keep the same tranny and rear end right? I appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks in advance,

Dew

[Firehawk 526]

Not sure about mounting issues, but IMO, LS1 is the way to go, but get the newer LS1's which has the LS6 intake. LT's are better for the bottle, but I believe the LS's have greater overall potential.
As for tranny combination, NOT sure what your options are regarding 3rd gens

Just my 2 cents

[five7kid]

The V6 tranny is gone regardless of LT1 or LS1. Most guys that do this get engine & tranny together, just makes life easier.

LT1 is slightly less complicated mounting-wise, since it is basically the same as mounting in a SBC. Accessories are a bit of an issue, f-body parts don't works as well as Vette in a 3rd gen, believe it or not.

The old question of performance/$ is probably still in favor of a Gen I SBC, but for all-out performance potential, then yes, the LSx setup has to get the nod.

[Acid Phreak]

LSx swap is quite a bit more expensive than the LT1 swap. Tranny will have to be swapped either way. You will want to swap the rearend as well since the V6s are peg legs, not lsd.

[CamaroJake]

me and a buddy of mine were driving on the highway and his 92 3.1 threw a rod. We took it out within a week and swapped in a 350 out of a bus. All that was required was new mounts, had to take the tail housing off the 200r4 and put it on a 700r4 and that was that. Oh and he had to change out the fuel pump. It aint cheap and it sure as hell aint worth it in my opinion.. But he still has it. I would find the right year camaro with the right engine in it, swaps are for race cars =P.

[thefishyphoenix2]

What's going everyone. I am new to the site but not new to owning a Camaro. I have owned two and looking to buy another. I have always wanted to put either an LT1 or an LS1 motor into a Camaro. My only problem is I see a bunch of Camaros with a V6 for $1500 or less and the 305 V8 from $3000 on up. I am looking to buy a 92 and was wondering if I bought the one with a V6 wouldn't it be significantly cheaper to swap in an LT1 or LS1 than buy a Camaro with a V8 and doing the swap? I figured with all the money I would be saving in not buying the V8 I could get the engine I want. Also I would bring it to my mechanic not something I would do. Also if I did go the V6 route I would be able to keep the same tranny and rear end right? I appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks in advance,

Dew
Day late and a dollar short, but oh well.

I swapped an LT1 into an '89 V6 bird... it doesn't give me a lot of problems (no more than usual for swapping engines). You will def. have to switch to a different tranny if you are serious about it (I've seen a few 5 speeds w/ LT1s... but it doesn't come highly recommended). As far as the rear goes, you can leave it in, but it sucks. I hate not having a posi. Lemme know if you have any questions if you're still looking into this.

~Rachel~

[PhillyLS1]

Just buy the car with the V8 already in it.

[LS13RDGEN]

My 92 had a V6 in it when I bought it.
The swap to the LS1 was expensive and time consuming.
Your best bet is to find a V8 3rdgen and just work on upgrading the engine that is already in it.