Best engine for V6 Bird...

Iv'e searched this forum and couldnt find the info I need. Iv'e been looking around at different cars at different dealers and narrowed it down to a handful of cars...Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am, Dodge Neon SRT-4, Dodge Stealth, or Nissan 300ZX. Top Models of these brands run me over 7 grand for insurance, and I could afford it, but I dont feel working 160+ hours a month will be worth having insurance for a nice car. So I have come to the conclusion that I would get a lower model and just swap the engine. Ex: Dodge Stealth base model 164 hp to V6-320 HP Twin Turbo. But I dont like that because the work/money involved welding an AWD to it. So Im thinking a bird is my best shot. So following my life story, my question is...what would be the best engine that fits into a mid-ninety's V6 Firebird (preferably newer). Would an LS1 or an LT1 fit. or what? And if so what all would be required -- effort and moneywise. I dont wanna do it if it will cost over 3 grand and require me cutting stuff. Thanks for your help... :smokin:

Well, I've got a buddy who's doing this to his 98 Firebird. He's putting an LS1 into it. Cost of the engine, tranny, wiring, etc. (everything needed to make it run): $3k. Cost of labor: $1500 by a guy who's done it before and knows what he's doing. This is a good deal.

An LS1 will go into a 98-02 Firebird, an LT1 will go into a 93-97 Firebird. You could find an LT1 for less than you could an LS1...

Hey thanks alot man...thats a lot of help. I would rather have the LS1 but I gues if I get the older LT1 it is. But what are the major downfall of the V6 firebirds...would i have to get a better suspension or brakes?? dont know that much about em....Oh and I got A guy who'll put it in for only 500 bucks. BUT i have bad luck of finding cheap parts so that will make up for the labor....

The older 4th Gens with the LT1's had drum brakes setups in back. A common upgrade it to put a new disk brake setup that the LS1 cars have. Stops the cars better and looks better. As long as you get the complete engine setup all at once, you shouldn't have any problems just going from V6 to V8. If you're changing tranny types though, say from auto to manual, you'll have to get the new console as well...

OK, I understand...but what about suspension? Also does this also go for the V6 Camaros?

Well, depends on what you want to do with it in the future. If you're gonna drop it, might as well wait for the engine to go in, then choose the right kit for you. If you want to leave it with the current setup, I don't see why you'd have any problems with it and the V8. The 3.8 V6 is an iron block, while the LT1 is an aluminum block. Comparatively, they're gonna be about the same weight, no real difference to be concerned about...