98 CAMARO LS1 to LS6 SWAP

**SMS** · 11-11-2005, 09:01 AM

Hi guys.
98 Camaro 6 speed here with a lead on an 02 Corvette LS6 long block.

What all will need to be changed, reprogrammed, updated to install the newer LS6?
It comes with no electronics BTW.

Thanks,

Bill

**BandDirector** · 11-27-2005, 06:27 PM

Visit my website for pics as well as tips on installing an LS6 into a '98 Z28...been there, done that, GREAT swap!

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 11-27-2005, 08:21 PM

Nice motor banddirector

But I personally would have put half of what you spent on the ls6 into the ls1...and it would have more power than the ls6. Did you leave the ls6 stock when you swapped it in?

**Tobynine9** · 11-28-2005, 07:38 AM

He had engine problems with the LS1. He would have had to drop it and rebuild it anyways. If he's got the cash and that's what he wants, sweet setup.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 11-28-2005, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Tobynine9

He had engine problems with the LS1. He would have had to drop it and rebuild it anyways. If he's got the cash and that's what he wants, sweet setup.

It wouldn't cost 8500 to rebuild a ls1 with high performance parts...especially if you do it yourself...all I was saying

**SMS** · 11-28-2005, 11:46 AM

Thanks BandDirector for the link and info.
I bought my LS6 2nd hand and did not get a pan so I found one at Lingenfelter's here in Indiana today. Looks like my project is off and running.

**marcus769** · 11-29-2005, 08:09 PM

This is not worth the mess.....

**SMS** · 11-30-2005, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by marcus769

This is not worth the mess.....

Why and what do you mean?

My block has a hole in it, so the labor steps to swap in a used low mile LS6 crate motor are less than the R&R plus hunt and overhaul to save what might be good on my old one, plus I get 100 HP free.

Looks like banddirector had a pretty easy time of it also.
I'll have about $7,000 in the whole deal, including the car with a blown motor.

**Tobynine9** · 11-30-2005, 05:16 AM

I think it's sweet man. Have you swapped the rear-end yet?

**BandDirector** · 01-26-2006, 07:59 PM

Wow! Look at that! My post count and join date are back! I haven't been back in a while since the board went down and I lost my seniority, but I was just passing through tonight and noticed everything was restored! Thanks to whoever did that for me!

Anyway, A new LS6 swap was the best choice for me. I tore my LS1 up and needed to drop it anyway, the swap looked easy, and I wasn't worried about that, but rebuilding an engine myself scared the hell out of me since I've never done it before, so I knew I would need to have my motor rebuilt professionally if that's the route I went. A basic rebuild is around $3K and I knew I wanted to go with at least heads and cam, which would have been another $2500 so I was going to have at least $5500 tied up in my motor. Local shops wouldn't warranty a "built" motor, and if I got the motor from a sponsor, I'd have to get the car or motor back to them for warranty work.

With the LS6 crate motor( $5300 shipped), I got a 12 month/12K mile warranty from GM and warranty service was as close as my local dealer. My wife was pregnant with our 1st child when I was making all of these decisions and she was gracious enough to let me spend the kind of money we're talking about under the condition that I need to get what I want and do it right because I'm only doing this once. This was back in the summer of '04 and I'm still VERY happy with my decision. I figured GM built the LS6 with HP and reliability in mind and even though I could have rebuilt my LS1 with more power than the LS6, for durabilty, driveability, and a farily decent power increase over my LS1, the LS6 crate motor was the best choice for me.

My only concern is now that we're still in the middle of a manufacturer HP war, my 405 HP is just keeping up with everyone else...

**Capster78** · 01-28-2006, 09:41 PM

Hmm.. I probably would have swaped in a crate motor like a 383 or somthing and got a bit more power for the same price..

**SMS** · 04-11-2006, 05:14 PM

Finally getting back to my project as it's finally warmed up here!
I dropped the LS1 out today and am taking inventory of small parts I need to buy or swap over from the LS1 to the LS6.

The knock sensors already in the LS6 valley cover,,,are they the same as my old ones and can be left in place, or should I swap over or buy new 1998 LS1 knock sensors?

Thanks.

**SMS** · 04-11-2006, 08:00 PM

Progress shot:

**1fastcamarosss11** · 04-11-2006, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by SMS

Progress shot:

man, not tring to be an asshole but man please be carefull that whole set up of the car on those stands doesn't look safe at all.

be carefull and keep us updated.

**Tobynine9** · 04-12-2006, 02:33 AM

how much does the shell weigh when you disconnect the engine and lift it like that? I know that's how it's done but it still seems like a backwards way to do a car.

Are all those boards nailed to one another?

**SMS** · 04-12-2006, 09:50 AM

Yes,
the blocking is all nailed together. Although it looks hickish, it works great.
The compressive strength of a 2x4 is about 300 lbs/sq. in. and I have a bearing footprint of about 72 sq. inches, thus theoretically my little stands could hold up 21,000 pounds. 11 tiers high was just right to hold it up as I moved the cherry picker out of the way and rolled the engine out on a cart.

Then I can hook the hoist back up and lower the car onto the wood stands without the frame stands and leave it until ready to go back together.

The hoist, extended to the 1000 pound setting, had no trouble lifting the nose of the car this way.

Any feedback on the knock sensors yet?

Thanks.

**1fastcamarosss11** · 04-12-2006, 10:01 AM

like i said please be carefull.

**SMS** · 05-02-2006, 09:08 AM

Update.
New LS6 installed and running. Went on a 20 mile shakedown run last night, everything is ok except for one thing....I can't keep my foot out of it. Good thing it's my wife's car!

**keliente** · 05-03-2006, 04:29 AM

Looks great, congrats on the swap.

**BandDirector** · 05-26-2006, 08:10 PM

Ooops...I just now checked my subscribed threads and didn't realize you had a question...I guess you figured out the knock sensors in the LS6 won't work with the '98 LS1 harness. It was a different connector in my '98. I actually bought new '98 knock sensors though just to be on the safe side.

It's now been a month since you finished your swap. Everything still doing OK?