how to make a performance v6

startrek89 · 09-14-2009, 05:19 PM

I've been looking for a lt1 or ls1 but can't find one for cheap so I'm wondering how to soup up the 3.8 3800 series 2 motor I know I can do headers and cats but can I. Performance camshaft/port the heads and add a supercharger I'm looking to have it keep up with v8's and do a cheap budget 1500 or under?

digitalyz · 09-14-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by startrek89

I've been looking for a lt1 or ls1 but can't find one for cheap so I'm wondering how to soup up the 3.8 3800 series 2 motor I know I can do headers and cats but can I. Performance camshaft/port the heads and add a supercharger I'm looking to have it keep up with v8's and do a cheap budget 1500 or under?

To keep up with v8's for under 1500 I would suggest a cheap used turbo setup. Or spend a little more money and get this http://www.ststurbo.com/universal_turbo_systems Just a little more work involved.

gcouse7 · 09-14-2009, 06:46 PM

Be careful.The 6's are not built to keep up with the 8's. You hear a lot about rods going south, if you put more pressure on the bottom end they will break quicker. I would save your money and get a lt1. (like the one I have for sale).

95Z · 09-14-2009, 06:51 PM

Bolt ons, cam, and a 75 shot should do the trick.

What trans does it have, they don't call the t-5 a glass trans for no reason.

gcouse7 · 09-14-2009, 07:08 PM

I would think the cam would be nice, but the nitros would knock the bottom right out of it.

PoormansVetteWS6 · 09-15-2009, 08:55 AM

I say the turbo idea is a great idea.....but on the other hand....after doing all the mods, taking care of your bottom end, lower cr pistons, yadda yadda yadda, you might as well just save up for a LT1 or even an LS1. If your willing to spend some money on the V6, just turbo it, but do it right the first time!

mean green z28 · 09-15-2009, 05:39 PM

remove V6, install V8 ... lol

GTP231 · 09-16-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcouse7

Be careful.The 6's are not built to keep up with the 8's. You hear a lot about rods going south, if you put more pressure on the bottom end they will break quicker. I would save your money and get a lt1. (like the one I have for sale).

The rods hold up much better than you give them credit for. The bottom end is the same as its supercharged counter parts. As long as your tune isn't crazy you should be fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1IBL...eature=related
Stock Series 2 bottom end in that video

gcouse7 · 09-16-2009, 07:04 AM

That car is pretty nice. Are you telling me that with the thousands upon thousands of dollars they put in that car, they didn't touch the bottom end? I find that very hard to believe.

GTP231 · 09-16-2009, 07:11 AM

Yup there original goal was to find the limits of the stock bottom end. Found the limits of torque convertor efficiency with one though first. There is a nicely built bottom end in it now though. Nasty head gasket failure at pinks so they decided to upgrade

usetaboost · 10-25-2009, 09:02 PM

you guys must forget where the 3800 roots are from. See what's in my sig? They can run 10 second passes on stock bottom end. Nothing to worry about. Now, as far as doing anything to 3800/5spd car-I would first try to find one that's a stripper. Back when the Ls1 just came out in the camaro they did a comparison against the mustang (no competition

). I think it was car and driver. The 98 camaro with the 3800/5spd with crank windows, locks, and no ttops ran just as fast as that years mustang gt. Throw some slp goodies on there and it should be a fun driver. Or you could get an automatic car, do the bolt ons, and build a turbo setup for it later on. It's just all in what you want out of a car and what you can afford

rg501 · 11-04-2009, 10:23 AM

just save up for a v8. the amount of money it would take for you to turn a v6 into something that can keep up with a v8 is not worth it. it'd be cheaper to just buy a v8. i was in your same position and dumped a bunch of money into my v6, and eventually just bought a v8.

usetaboost · 11-04-2009, 05:19 PM

The only thing a v6 fbody is good for is parts

or a DD, but it would have to be a stick

juggalotus · 02-14-2010, 11:12 PM

Yea I think its a waste of a camaro or trans am to have a 6, I got tired of dumpin money onto my 4.3 in my blazer, got me a z28 and imma happy camper now ;-)

BLACK HAWK · 02-14-2010, 11:32 PM

-firebird= v6, 3800?
-Formula ='s base line firebird with the LT1
-Trans Am= same LT1 motor, body with door skirts, front & rear bumper covers and a few interior up-grades
-WS6 package= available on for both lt1 & ls1 years?(2nd gen, 96-02?)/ formula & t/a body, hood and intake upgrade, suspension , exhaust ....
-Firehawk= the shit...

available between '92-2002( g8 is not a real firehawk) 93-97 formula only, 99-02 formula & T/a body style, about 5050 total