To Swap Or not to Swap - F-Body Online

adamk1988 · 09-19-2007, 11:54 PM

Hey Guys I got a 1999 Pontaic Firebird I have very little money in the car I bought it as a rebuilder anyway I am wanting to know what is the best route to go and the easiest as well as the cheapest?? and if any of these will not actually work at all let me know??

Z06 Motor swap and six speed tranny

Ls1 Motor swap and six speed tranny

Built 350 and six speed tranny

Mod the 3.8 for ex.)supercharge,bore beads, Nos etc??

Phate · 09-20-2007, 09:17 AM

They would all work with enough fabrication, money, and time. I need to know what you really want out of the car first before I start giving advice. What is your budget like? How much experience do you have? What do you expect out of the car? How much time and aggrivation are you willing to spend?

MarkuzLS1 · 09-20-2007, 09:34 AM

The easiest swap would be a Gen1 or Gen2 SBC swap. The LS motors require a bit more work. That said, they really are that much better than the older SBCs.

adamk1988 · 09-20-2007, 12:08 PM

I just really want it to smoke z-28 ss cars and T.A. but I want it to look stock from the outside and keep my insurance down since they go by the Vin # I would love to have a car doing 0-60 in under 4? As for time and aggrivation that is not the problem and Money will be okay I want to get what ever it is I need ready then drop it in so I dont spend alot of time at the shop.

Phate · 09-20-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamk1988

I just really want it to smoke z-28 ss cars and T.A. but I want it to look stock from the outside and keep my insurance down since they go by the Vin # I would love to have a car doing 0-60 in under 4? As for time and aggrivation that is not the problem and Money will be okay I want to get what ever it is I need ready then drop it in so I dont spend alot of time at the shop.

It doesnt work like that. The WORST way you can do it is to prebuild a motor then try and swap it in. You dont know how much room you're working with, how certain things are going to fit, or perform, or even if they WILL work period. Doing a swap is fabrication from the ground up. As per smoking v8's.. you'll need a v8, there is no question of that. I have a ton of money in my 6 and it barely beats mildly modded 8's.

As per the 0-60 in under 4? I hope you have deeeeeeep pockets. Cause the c6 z06 only does 0-60 in 3.8

Rocket 442 · 09-20-2007, 01:18 PM

Easiest swap is just a 350 like Markuz said. It would also be probably the cheapest since carbed SBC parts are a dime a dozen.

FirebirdPhil · 09-20-2007, 03:43 PM

Not a big fan of swapping 8s in 6ers because by the time you get done spending money on the parts you could've bought a v8 and bought a few mods to it, plus you'd have to put in a lot of time just getting it equal to a 8. That being said if I were to ever give it a shot I'd do what Markuz and Rocket are suggesting.

SpecialK · 09-20-2007, 09:43 PM

Id' go for the LS series block though, it looks natural in there. Sure its' a bit more work. But who said it has to be a LS1/6? LQ9s are cheaper, and LQ9/LS2's have the L98 setup to their favor

And you'll get more power out of that setup, keep your mileadge and it'll start up in winter (with a good tune of course) and idle there contently, and not act like a brat like so many higher (above 300hp) Carbed SB setups do. Though a FI Gen1 is also an option. (Ramjet 350/383)

L33T 350CI RS · 09-25-2007, 07:52 AM

build and turbo the 6er. Ive always liked the turbo 6ers.... and they can put out some good power.

SpecialK · 09-29-2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L33T 350CI RS

build and turbo the 6er. Ive always liked the turbo 6ers.... and they can put out some good power.

But also very problematic. Unless you find a old GN block.