Putting a LS6 in to replace the stock LS1

**Octavain** · 03-13-2009, 06:30 PM

Okay so I have 118k miles on the original motor in my 1998 Camaro m6. I've been looking at a couple of options to replace my stock engine.

One option is http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...-P1625C63.aspx

Second optionhttps://store.gmperformanceparts.com...!--17801268-->

As anyone done a swap from the ls1 to the ls6? Any help would be useful.

**reds10406** · 03-13-2009, 06:37 PM

you should just rebuild the motor you have and get some nice heads/cam and you will have more power in the end.

**mglangley21** · 03-13-2009, 07:17 PM

I have a 99 Camaro SS and i did an Ls1 to Ls6 Swap and all i had to do was change the oil pan back to camaro and i used all my original electronics. it was easy!!

**Quik** · 03-13-2009, 07:40 PM

if your motor isnt hurt i wouldnt worry about mileage

**BADASS2000SS** · 03-13-2009, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Quik

if your motor isnt hurt i wouldnt worry about mileage

Screw that...get a badass LS6 and throw it in there! You will be happy.

**9T8W66** · 03-14-2009, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by reds10406

you should just rebuild the motor you have and get some nice heads/cam and you will have more power in the end.

Rebuilding a high mileage `98 usually requires a new block because of the thinner liners used in `97-98 Blocks.

I've tossed up the same idea but would do a Cam swap before installing the engine in he car since you would have easy access to everything.

**Quik** · 03-14-2009, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by BADASS2000SS

Screw that...get a badass LS6 and throw it in there! You will be happy.

if motor isnt hurt there is no reason to drop a new motor in the same size. toss heads and cam in and be stronger then a ls6. if motor is on its way south then yes up grade, if still heathy then mod away.

**reds10406** · 03-14-2009, 06:01 AM

exactly, if your going to go through all that work make it worth it, ls2 or ls3

**c5z28** · 03-14-2009, 08:04 AM

Option one and two are the same just different suppliers right? If you don't want to rebuild the bottom end a crate motor is a good way to stop yourself from spending extra on those slightly better heads, cam and bs. Being the kid I am I would throw on the headers and put in a asa cam so you can use the stock springs (another $250), Easy extra $600 I know but it should put you at or above 400whp w/out really tearing your brand new crate motor apart.

**Octavain** · 03-14-2009, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Quik

if motor isnt hurt there is no reason to drop a new motor in the same size. toss heads and cam in and be stronger then a ls6. if motor is on its way south then yes up grade, if still heathy then mod away.

Well I've done some research on the early LS1 blocks. They don't have as strong piston rod bolts, also the oil flow is more restrictive in the block on the 98 LS1 blocks, and the block as a weaker design then later LS1 blocks. So the problem with throwing more HP by putting in new heads, cam, etc... is still having a weaker bottom end and not being able to lubricate my new parts properly. And the motor is going to be a high mileage motor in one to two years.

**Octavain** · 03-14-2009, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by c5z28

Option one and two are the same just different suppliers right? If you don't want to rebuild the bottom end a crate motor is a good way to stop yourself from spending extra on those slightly better heads, cam and bs. Being the kid I am I would throw on the headers and put in a asa cam so you can use the stock springs (another $250), Easy extra $600 I know but it should put you at or above 400whp w/out really tearing your brand new crate motor apart.

No option one and two are very different in what comes with the LS6, yes they are the same motor. But option two includes: water pump, exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, coil packs, etc... and option one is just a short block LS6. Basically I'm trying to figure out if it would be cheaper to go with option 1 or 2. Because option two comes with those necessary parts and option one doesn't, I guess I could use some of my older parts on my current ls1 to keep cost down. IDEAS???

Here is what I plan on doing before putting in the motor. Upgrade intake to a Fast 92 intake and throttle body, Kooks headers, and probably a bigger cam something similar to the ls6 hot came.

**JoshieDoom** · 03-14-2009, 08:24 AM

Lots of guys locally either switch to the lq9/ls6. Myself, I would find a good used block and go all the way through it and replace everything with good forged components.

**Octavain** · 03-14-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by reds10406

exactly, if your going to go through all that work make it worth it, ls2 or ls3

The reason why is that the LS6 is exactly the same size that the LS1. So I'm going to be able to avoid any clearance issues that may occur with a LS2 or LS3, right? Because LS2 is 6.0L and LS3 is 6.2L is more volume essentially meaning bigger, and I mean the engine bay is already cramped as is. CORRECT?? Also for the 30 to 40 hp gain you get with LS3 it's about 1G more expensive than the LS6. I'm no professional I'm a novice at best, and going in and rebuilding a motor pretty much isn't exactly what I have in mind, because I lack the experience.

**jordanvb** · 03-14-2009, 08:26 AM

Don't know your budget but check this out.

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/LS37...9-P2218C2.aspx

**c5z28** · 03-14-2009, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by Octavain

No option one and two are very different in what comes with the LS6, yes they are the same motor. But option two includes: water pump, exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, coil packs, etc... and option one is just a short block LS6. Basically I'm trying to figure out if it would be cheaper to go with option 1 or 2. Because option two comes with those necessary parts and option one doesn't, I guess I could use some of my older parts on my current ls1 to keep cost down. IDEAS???

Here is what I plan on doing before putting in the motor. Upgrade intake to a Fast 92 intake and throttle body, Kooks headers, and probably a bigger cam something similar to the ls6 hot came.

To lazy to read all that

Well by the sound of it your getting rid of the shitty manifolds, your upgrading to a fast you can reuse the coil packs and the ecu, and technically you could use the stock water pump so I guess the the first option is the way to go. Since they both come w/ heads and cam and oil pan they are both technically long blocks. Now a ls2(364) or a 402(stroked ls-2) fits in just the same the ls-6 and the ls-2 have the same heads so no need to worry about that. You would get more power from the 402 but the short block cost $4,000 opposed to your $3500 long block
heres a link for shits and giigles if your going to be dropping the dough you should call these guys and just tell them your story you'll come out better for it
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/cate...MID=1&catid=28

**Octavain** · 03-14-2009, 09:29 AM

Thanks, like I said I'm a novice at best!

**c5z28** · 03-14-2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Octavain

Thanks, like I said I'm a novice at best!

I wish someone would have did the same for me spent 13,500 on my car join a forum and find a supercharged one for 15,000

You could alway go bigger but your ls6 w/ cam and header sounds like its going to be stout and it will be a few grand less than a stroked ls-2.any idea on cam specs or hp goals?

**Octavain** · 03-14-2009, 09:47 AM

450-500 RWHP on all motor. Would be awesome! My car originally was a automatic and the previous owner put in a t-56 from a C5 Corvette and I don't know how much power a t-56 can take. Do you know how much a C5 T-56 Tranny can take? I put in a 9" Moser so I'm good there. Not sure on cam specs yet I have hear a lot of people using texas speed way to purchase and find out what cam would be best for their application. But if you have any input that would be sweet.

I spent 9.5g on my car 2 years ago and had 88k miles on it, with a clear title.

**c5z28** · 03-14-2009, 09:59 AM

The tranny should be good miles is the issue, the first thing to go will probably be the clutch but I don't see you doing hard driving for a while. A 230/230 cam would probably net you close to 450rwhp.

**jujofields** · 03-14-2009, 10:04 AM

IMHO, if you are going to be investing the time & money for an engine swap, you might as well go for a stroked 402" iron block as opposed to the ls6 block. The difference in hp/tq between the two motors is huge! Also, you could buy a used stroker motor that's ready to go from members on here or ls1tech.com and save a lot of $$$$.