V6 - LS1 conversion help?

**CoT Tommy** · 04-21-2010, 12:09 PM

Hey guys, i have a 1994 v6 camaro (auto) and want to convert it to an LS1 manual. I know each conversion is always different depending on the quality and the place you get the parts from. Does anyone know approximately how much this will cost me in the end?

Also, this is my first conversion/build so im not sure exactly what i need. Of course i need an ls1 motor and tranny, i also think i have to change the ECU from OBD I to OBD II. If anyone has any advice, id really appreciated it thx

**bigrondownhiller** · 04-21-2010, 02:36 PM

It is usually the little things that nickel and dime you. The easiest way to get all the parts you need is to picked up a wrecked car. Then you have all the parts you need.

**00camaro16** · 04-21-2010, 03:13 PM

to swap my 2000 camaro v6 to an ls1 it cost $14,000. of course it my ls1 isn't stock at all, runs 11.58 NA, and is a lot more personalized with a engine rebuilt so it basically has zero miles on it. i also paid a shop to do all the swapping for me ($3,500 if i remember right) i would say to do a stock to stock your looking at about $7,000-$9,000 if you do all the work yourself. is it worth it... I personally think yes but i plan on never selling it and it has so much more meaning to it because me and my dad built it. if you aren't a sentimental guy, and you'll hear this a lot, it isn't worth it.

**00camaro16** · 04-21-2010, 04:51 PM

if your serious about doing the swap e-mail me at 00camaro16@att.net and i will send you a complete list of what you need, or i will try.

**CoT Tommy** · 04-21-2010, 07:40 PM

well, everyone tells me it would make more sense to just go out and buy an ls1 but this is my first car and like u said, the feeling u get when u put it together is much greater than just buying an ls1.

**CoT Tommy** · 04-21-2010, 07:45 PM

yea, i was thinking that it might be easier just to go out there and find a wrecked ls1, that way i can sell the parts i dont need and minimize the damage to my wallet.

**Smittro** · 04-22-2010, 08:04 AM

Build the 6..

**CoT Tommy** · 04-23-2010, 07:16 AM

Well, my first idea was to turbo my v6 but after doing some research and talking to a couple of people, i decided not to because #1 the motor i have in my car now has 200k+ miles on it, #2 this is my DD and i dont really feel a turbo is reliable enough.

**blackcar** · 04-23-2010, 08:33 AM

I have a wrecked Z28 I'll sell you.

**67CamaroRSSS** · 04-23-2010, 09:26 AM

Q to the OP: Do you have the place to do this, the tools to do this and, most importantly, the skill set to do this?

I ask because it's a very involved (read: complicated and not for the novice) and expensive proposition you've put forth.

**Smittro** · 04-24-2010, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by CoT Tommy

Well, my first idea was to turbo my v6 but after doing some research and talking to a couple of people, i decided not to because #1 the motor i have in my car now has 200k+ miles on it, #2 this is my DD and i dont really feel a turbo is reliable enough.

Lots more can be done to the 60*v6 than just a turbo for power..

Far cheaper to obtain lsx power in a 60* v6 than just buying an lsx and doing the swap. 300hp is relatively easy to achieve N/A in a 60*v6. There's a large after market too. Last I checked a short block 3.4L was under/around $1k..

**CoT Tommy** · 04-24-2010, 09:22 AM

well, im in college right now and this is a project that im not going to start immediately, i may have a garage to do the swap in but if not i have a large enough driveway where i can put a canopy over the car and do it right there. My dad has been a mechanic for 30 + years and hes great with chevys. I think with his knowledge and expertise and me learning a little more every day, we should be able to do it. i understand its obviously not going to happen over night.

- the wrecked z28, how much are u looking for it and how many miles?

**CoT Tommy** · 04-24-2010, 09:25 AM

and do you really think its worth putting alot of power through a v6 that has so many miles on it? the tranny is also shifting a little harder than usual so i definately want to change it from an auto to a stick.

**Smittro** · 04-24-2010, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by CoT Tommy

and do you really think its worth putting alot of power through a v6 that has so many miles on it? the tranny is also shifting a little harder than usual so i definately want to change it from an auto to a stick.

I would recommend rebuilding the v6 before adding power parts.

**blackcar** · 04-25-2010, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by CoT Tommy

- the wrecked z28, how much are u looking for it and how many miles?

$3500. 65,000. Never had a problem with it. I bought in new and planned on keeping it forever.

**FreakV6** · 04-28-2010, 11:56 AM

i was going to say, you can usually picked up a wrecked car with everything you need for around 3k-4k, add a few hundred for misc. gaskets, fluids, etc and you can have it for fairly cheap. defiently not 7-9k

**teamfbody** · 04-28-2010, 10:33 PM

just buy a LS1 car and build from there much cheaper and less expensive then u can use your v6 for your daily driver

**CoT Tommy** · 04-30-2010, 03:07 PM

well i was actually going to go even cheaper than that and do the swap and buy my friends pick up truck for 500 $ as my DD lol

- the main reason why i dont want to just go out there and buy another car, besides for the price, this is my baby lol, its my first car and i plan on having it forever, or at least as long as i can keep it on the road.