The V6 Stigma

When I first started looking for a Camaro, back in November (the search still continues...), my original plan was to get a V6 3rd Gen. I told my sister's boyfriend about this and he just said, bluntly, "You don't get a V6 Camaro. It's just not something that you do." He said that I'd be made fun of, etc., for getting a V6 Camaro, because it's supposedly all flash and no go.

So I changed my mind and started looking for a V8-preferably a 305. But recently I've been wondering if I can afford it. I only make like 100 dollars a week, or therabouts, Canadian. Between gas and insurance, I'm not sure if I can afford the V8, but at the same time, I don't want to be ridiculed for getting a V6.

There's also the fact that while I do enjoy going fast, what I enjoy is not going at high speeds, it's quick acceleration. I find it more fun to peel out of a corner going 30 km/h and accelerate quickly up to 60 then going like 140 on the highway. Obviously a V8 has a lot more power, but I mean my friends 4 cylinder Civic has a ton of jump, acceleration wise. So I'm not neccasarily looking for a powerful, top-speed engine, just something with quick acceleration and good cornering.

But again, their seems to be a V6 stigma (one which I haven't really seen on this forum), and I'm basically weighing finances versus the power of a V8. I can't think of many things more embarassing than getting challenged at a light and not being able to do anything about it because I have a V6.

So, in your experience, how bad is the reputation surrounding a V6? A Camaro is traditionally a fast sports car. And exactly how much better is a V6 on gas then a V8 Camaro? I've had some people tell me it's a huuuge difference, and others tell me that the difference between a V6 and a V8 isn't very much at all.

And if it makes a difference, if I chose to get a V6 I'd probably wind up getting a 4th Gen-I like fourth gens better and the only reason I wasn't really looking for one (as much as I was for a third gen) is because a V8 4th Gen costs a LOT more than a V8 3rd Gen.

i get 21mph in my 95 z28 under halfway hard driving conditions.... um the v6 is a fast little engine but stock for stock will never beat an 8.... in my own opinion the v6 stigma comes from the camaro being known for speed and the 350 being known for power... when someone hears v6 they automaticaly think commuter car.... i would never want a v6 but thats because I own an 8 and once you've had it you never want to go back.... theres nothing wrong with the v6 and you just have to make the choice between a little lower buying price/ insurance and great power

who gives a flyin' fu%#@ what anyone thinks about your car man.. If you like it and you can afford it, drive it..

Regarding 3rd gen fuel economy, providing both are running well, there isnt a huge differnce between the 2.8 MPFI and the 305tbi or 305TPI.. The 2.8MPFI is a very efficient engine but its got to work a lot harder than a 305 to get the car going.. the 2.8 is little better on fuel, not much.. If you dont want a 350, Get a 305 TPI.. If you want to get the best power:fuel economy go fuel injected.. Anything 86' and newer..

If you want to get a V6 4th gen, they are Very good on fuel and have quite a bit of go off the line for a 6'r.. If you want a V6, get a 4th gen..

ok man i have a third gen V6 and they are no honda on gas but still a lot better then the V8, and ofcourse the engine is nowhere near as powerful as the 305s and 350s but i'll tell you they do have really good acceleration and i assure you you will spin the tires after the corner when you hit the gas lol, look how sexy they are too, and like Damone said , who gives a flyin' fu%#@ what anyone thinks about your car

Get a 3.8 liter 4th gen V6, you will be happy

Get a 3.8 liter 4th gen V6, you will be happy

:grinno:
Definately. I got mine its a 5 speed and it hauls ass. Its not a Z28 but it is still damn quick. I've raced a few people and had no problem and on the freeway it gets up to 80 very quick. =) I just drove 350 miles on one tank and it still has 4 gallons or so left over (16.5g tank)

It is no honda on gas but it is very good. Average is 20 city 30 freeway. (miles) I havn't regretted getting the 6er. If you like it, get it. (the 3.8l )

yeah, i drive an early 4th gen 3.4L and its not a bad car. has quite a bit of pickup after a couple basic mods. and i agree, as all of us sixer guys will say, who cares what they say. it's your car and you're money.. do what you want to.

if your friends find a v6 funny to drive u can always get one, then put it on the bottle and smoke them im sure they will get a good laugh out of that i love the look that seems to get left on their face when they get burned by a 3800 and when they ask u tell them um its a 6. get what u can afford man, the bottom line is u can make anything fast or at least faster or u can always tell your friends they can chip in and help u get a v8 so u can be cool in their eyes.

yeah.. put in some cheater juice... lol JK philly

yah man get what u can afford v8 got a lot of power but im sure v6 are pretty quick and if this is ur first car then u still got lots of time to get a v8 make that plans for the next car u get who cares about what the other guy says ur going to have the cute girl sitting in ur car rather then his

WHOOO CANADA

I am kinda in the same boat i'm having the 6er right now but in a few years i'm gonna save up for a 02 SS and that will be wonderful. But still the freaking 3800 engine is VERY powerful

Thanks for your input guys, maybe a 6'er wouldn't be such a bad idea.

So you say a 4th Gen V6 is still pretty fast? Compared to like any other V6 on the road, like a Grand Am or a Civic or some shit like that (I have no idea what's a V6 and whats a 4 banger), would a V6 Camaro be able to beat it handily? I mean racing isn't going to be a huge thing for me but I'd certainly like to be able to say my freaking CAMARO is faster then those types of daily-driver cars.

And Whooo Canada! indeed. :D

If you get the 3.8 I would say yes... and definately a much better choice than a 305.

If you get the 3.8 I would say yes... and definately a much better choice than a 305.

For what reasons?

It's definitely not faster is it?

Im assuming he means in gas and insurence ;)

I've once heard its a driver race between a stock 305 camaro and a 3.8l fourth gen. the 3.8l give mustang foxbodys a tough time, as well as the (now old) mustang gt ...speaking stock for stock that is.

From what I've heard the V6 beats most pre-97 mustang Gt's and all mustang 6'ers as well as almost all the civics on the road and such. Definately go take out out for a spin... (donuts too if they dont catch ya)
Don't assume V-6 = no power. On the contrary Hypsi87 is running more horsepower on a v-6 then most V8 guys could ever touch. Its on a similar engine of the 3.8l too (not quite the same his is built for turbo out of the door [Grand National]) but still, 6ers are quite the beasts. And you can put a few buck sinto it to make her down in the low 15's, then with cheater juice it can take on some Z cars. =) we're not talking too much money and you can always save it for your next maro.

How much is the difference going to be for insurance, cost wise? Couple hundred bucks?

3.8 = faster than pre-98 mustang GTs stock for stock. V6 mustangs... haven't lost to one. Haven't had to pleasure of racing a new one yet tho... but of course Im not racing till I get my tuning done

yeah if u roll up on a 5.0 it will pretty much be a race of drivers as long as its stock, i blew my chance to get in one a few days ago i must have been tired that night but one pulled up next to me at a light and i was just looking at it then when the light changed he took off like a damn fool then it clicked on me that i should have got me some. i caught him before we got to another red and when the light changed that time he bitched out. back in 89-94 5.0 mustangs where the thing to have but what was fast then damn sure aint fast now! and like the guys said the 3800 is a great engine i think the best move chevy made from that 3.4, if u get one throw some gears in it you'll feel the pull from the line, get some nice tires, tune it up real good, and replace that damn airbox with a cold air intake (slp) is nice and im telling u, your gonna love it. now no doubt later down the line reach for that v8, or u can do like i do grab u some (cheater juice) real funny guys lol, and then u can hang with some z's no doubt and stomp some ponies.

My 3.4l/auto is pretty quick when you get it above 3k RPMs. Below, and it's a bit anemic. In fact, my main complaint is that I haven't found the exact cubic inch displacement, so I can use a real measument. That, and the automatic. I'm much like you, in that I run the speed limit, but I like a good screech when I start out every now and then, and I'm always slinging passengers across the seats.

I haven't managed to run mine enough to actually need gas. I don't let it get below a half tank (I never have on any vehicle), but I haven't had the cash on hand to fill 'er up. And it'll take a month for me to get back down to half a tank again, for all I drive. I'm estimating right now a good 24-25 or so.

I've had bad experiences with a 305 V8, so if you do go V8, I'd look for a 350 instead. I've seen one push over a million miles in a step van, running to and fro Mexico, so I know how good they are, so far as reliability, and my '89 GMC truck got an average 24 mpg with a 350 and a OD auto, until the trans blew up. Plus, parts are dirt cheap (I don't know about the 305. They tend to blow up around me).

Can't you find those baby superchargers that are on the GTP, and SSEI? If those would fit, they would be a nice compliment, and I doubt you would blow your stock internals.

GTP has a different upper intake manifold, some other stuff, and is facing the wrong way. There are turbo and supercharger kits tho..

Definitely I would day if you want to increase your chances of competing with a V8 i'd go with a supercharger and different gears. The other day I saw a 00 Camaro V6 auto convertible with a vortech supercharger and 3:42 stock gears.

So if you want cheaper insurance decent mileage and a car to put ricers in their place go with the V6.

and if u dont have 3-4 grand for a turbo or supercharger go with the juice, its the quickest gain u can buy (besides getting a new car altogether) 600 for the kit, a few dollars for some internals if u wanna go that way and your on your way

If a supercharger would run me like 4 grand wouldn't it be cheaper/the same to just swap in an LT1?

But you'd have a 300+hp 6er and would piss off LS1 guys when you blow by 'em =)

600 for the kit, a few dollars for some internals if u wanna go that way and your on your way
Bet you spend more on internals than the juice! :eek7:

If a supercharger would run me like 4 grand wouldn't it be cheaper/the same to just swap in an LT1?

NO!!!!!

V6 to V8 Swap is **APPROX(I.e. dont quote me for exact figure)** 8-10k

i haven't driven a 4th gen V6, but just about any 3rd gen V6 will easily get beaten in races, I know I have one. They are fast by no means. fun to drive yes, but fast, no so much. They will NOT beat hondas or eclipses (and the like) in a stop-light-to-stop-light race. mostly likely it will be a dead even race or you'll lose. trust me. they move better at higher speeds... like 60mph to 80mph goes pretty quickly. believe me, you won't win many races.

don't do a swap.. it's too much work and it cost too much (trust me, I'm doing it right now). don't get a blower on a V6... it cost too much, if you want to do that then you should just by a V8 (for your purposes).

you just want nice acceleration at legal speeds....

what you should do is get a V6 then put an intake and exhaust on it... you will easliy be around 200hp or higher... that will give you some really good acceleration... and you will win street races for sure. you could also add 3.73 rear end gears to give you really good acceleration (actually you might want to do that first)... and you still save on insurance and on gas.

Priorities:
1- Rear end Gears $200-300 U.S. Dollars
2- intake $200 USD
3- exahuast (headers $250USD and muffler $180-275USD)

4th gen v-6's are some mean machines. the 3800 is powerful. Not an LS1 but power whenever I need it. Havn't lost a race. (Several F-150's 250's 350's, sunfires, few civics, focuses people around town etc)

i haven't driven a 4th gen V6, but just about any 3rd gen V6 will easily get beaten in races, I know I have one. They are fast by no means. fun to drive yes, but fast, no so much. They will NOT beat hondas or eclipses (and the like) in a stop-light-to-stop-light race. mostly likely it will be a dead even race or you'll lose. trust me. they move better at higher speeds... like 60mph to 80mph goes pretty quickly. believe me, you won't win many races.

don't do a swap.. it's too much work and it cost too much (trust me, I'm doing it right now). don't get a blower on a V6... it cost too much, if you want to do that then you should just by a V8 (for your purposes).

you just want nice acceleration at legal speeds....

what you should do is get a V6 then put an intake and exhaust on it... you will easliy be around 200hp or higher... that will give you some really good acceleration... and you will win street races for sure. you could also add 3.73 rear end gears to give you really good acceleration (actually you might want to do that first)... and you still save on insurance and on gas.

Priorities:
1- Rear end Gears $200-300 U.S. Dollars
2- intake $200 USD
3- exahuast (headers $250USD and muffler $180-275USD)

Man, I know you meant no offense but this post is really bugging me. You say at first that you haven't driven a 4th gen V6... Don't assume it's like the 2.8 or 3.1 or whtever you had. The 3.8 won't lose to civics or eclipses or the like (well maybe the turbo AWD eclipses thats different), I know I've raced em. Stock for stock it will win those races.

3.8's are at 200 HP 225 TQ stock, intake and exhaust will put it higher. Gears I agree are a great choice, I have 3.42s in now. The only thing with gears is you must reprogram your computer, as your speedometer, odometer, and WOT shift points will be off. I can't race / floor it until I get this done :(. Better than getting gears tho is to get a takeoff rear from a Z28 (if you have a 93-97 V6 get an LT1 rear, 98-02 LS1 rear), this gives you disc brakes and a limited slip if you didn't already have one (like me). Just make sure if you don't have traction control the rear doesn't have traction control, unless you don't care about losing your ABS.

As far as those prices well thats the other thing. Gears will usually run you at LEAST 1-200 bucks, plus an easy 2-300 for installation. Rear end, I got mine for 225, installation was 300 but if you have a day, some tools and another person or two you can do it in your driveway.

Intake you're almost better off making you own than paying 150-250 for one, but generally theyre between $180 (Lingenfelter but not reccommended, it's basically just a short ram) and 220-240 (SLP, many people will say this is the best intake for these cars.) Some people advocate the K&N but I hear that this has a diameter reduction down by the filter, much like the stock airbox.

As for exhaust... Headers for 3.8's for generally in the 300 range. High flow cats can be had for 30-40 bucks (mine was under 50 including shipping) and I got my Magnaflow catback for 320.

97CamaroRS, what are you talking about....
I said nothing about 4th gen V6's... read it carefully... i was talking about third gen V6's which is what he said he was thinking about buying. I never said 4th gen v6's are slow, and I never assumed anything about them.

And actually i take that comment back... I did drive a 4th gen V6, I test drove one once, yes it was faster than mine and it will win races... I know.

As far as prices I quoted those are all without installation included (except the muffler). You say my prices aren't right , but you quote the exact same numbers!!! wtf is that?

and by the way the 3rd gen V6 (3.1) is 140hp stock which is why I said he would be around 200hp.

I know what I'm talking about... and I don't act like I do when I don't.

i wouldnt pick the lt1 myself, but that is a way u can go, and i cant recall ever loosing to a eclipse nor a honda, not once and that was when i was stock with only exhaust, the 3800series 2 is a great base for power, yeah its a six, no its not an ls1 but ive seen a few 3800's that are pushing well over 300hp. supercharging one yeah it will cost u, but supercharging anything will cost u. i did spend a bit on my internals and to tell the truth i have a few more im looking into but like i said nitrous is an unlimited power source, as much as your car can take u can give it, also u can run it safe on a stock engine (just not big shots of it) i never recomend people doing it but its been done without blowing anything up. not to down anyone but the 3rd gen 6ers have no power thats just it, just like older 8's just like earlier gt mustangs and lt1 engines what was fast then aint now. u cant compair the lt1 and ls1, u cant do it with the old mustang and new, u cant do it with old v6's and new ones. times change and so does the meaning of fast.

oh and by the way where the hell are u guys finding parts thats dirt cheap, are thease name brand parts? the slp cold air i can vouch for being 250 bucks but gears for 1-200 bucks...helwhen i was looking they were starting at 300 i ended up getting some from a guy i knew that had a formula and was selling his entire rear end, i think the gears were 323's. that was better than stock, and plus i left the world of being the one wheeled wounder and now have power going to both rear wheels. anyways dude do what u wanna do the 4th gen v6 isnt a bad car at all, and if u wanna do a v8 swap then i suggest doing it, everyone else may tell u its not worth it, but damn that kid, anything that u put 2gether and put your time into and can say i did this is always worth it. go for it man!

instantkevin, that all defiantely came out a bit harsh it wasn't meant as an attack. i realize you were talking about 3rd gen v6's I was trying to compare it to the 4th gen.

Philly, as for gears, well shit I got a set for $25... it's all in how hard you look. And I'm talkign used gears when i saw 100, new ones yea 300-400 usually.

damn i gonna have to hire u to look around for me lol

ok, $50/hr ;)

I know its not a camaro but its similar.

$5700

Yes its a V6, and I get no respect when I say its a V6.
Everybody automatically thinks they can whip it. (Even Civics)
But when they sit in the passenger seat and the 220hp comes alive and the tires start spinning everytime I get asked "This is the V8 right?"

What really will blow there socks off is when you out run the 96-98 V8 mustangs.

man i can out run a 96-98 mustang on foot, thats not a doing much lol

ok, $50/hr ;)
wow elves have steep whoring rates these days......

i beat a 94 Mustang GT on a Spree one time... :lol:

i beat a 94 Mustang GT on a Spree one time... :lol:

whats a Spree?

a moped.. and i was joking.. lol

did any of u see that video with a guy racing a ws6 on that foot skooter with the nitrous hooked up 2 it and he won? that was like the funniest crap i've ever seen in my life, he lines up next to the car and the car purged, then the dude gives the ws6 guy the finger and purges his skooter and then goes on to beat him.....im sure its fake but it was funny ill see if i can find the link so u guys can laugh your asses off

wasnt that the movie kieft posted when he was bragging about how many kills he got with his spree?

you should see my new video cuda.. its of me racin dampachi from the stang forum.. i beat him on my spree with a 500 shot of NAWZ!! :lol: then he got banned because he got mad n denied it in the street racing forum...

hahahahaha so funny... yet so true!

i beat a 94 Mustang GT on a Spree one time... :lol:

I think its possible tho, they are slow as hell =)

Something I've noticed, and something I hope you guys can give me a some feedback on is that all the prices you guys seem to have got your cars for, or the prices you reccomend as fair ones, are far below what is realistically out there, for me anyway. Does the states have a far different average car pricing?

Look at this:

http://www.buysell.com/search.asp?vt=1&mnf=1&yrfrom=0&yrto=0&mk=Chevrolet&mdl=Camaro&qu=&more=&less=&pshcat=vehicles&searchType=v&vehicle=SEARCH%21

The cheapest fourth gen V6 is like 5900 Canadian, and after that the cheapest are in the 7000 Canadian range. This is way above all the 3-4 grand US you guys seem to be quoting.

Any help here? Am I just in a crappy car market?

kieft will sell you his for 3500..... but here are some others i found just in a matter of minutes http://www.auto-rv.com/default.asp?area=advancesearchresults&SQLQuery=SELECT+%2A+FROM+tblWebReadyNew+WHERE++The Text+LIKE+%27%25v6%25%27++AND++TheText+LIKE+%27%25 camaro%25%27++

kieft will sell you his for 3500..... but here are some others i found just in a matter of minutes http://www.auto-rv.com/default.asp?area=advancesearchresults&SQLQuery=SELECT+%2A+FROM+tblWebReadyNew+WHERE++The Text+LIKE+%27%25v6%25%27++AND++TheText+LIKE+%27%25 camaro%25%27++

Those are all in America and in American prices.

yes all american

they seem to run a bit pricy up in the north, i wounder why, 7 grand is a bit much for a damn v6 thats like lt1 prices hell maybe more than some lt1 prices. only in canada smh...where a big mac extra value meal costs like 12 bucks i about chocked when i saw that

ok a bit off topic here??? lets get it back...


I can sum this up in a few words.

If you want a FAST V-6, you have to go with a Grand Natonial, T-type, or a 1989 Turbo Trans Am. That is about it.


If you want a fast camaro, get the v-8. not worth the money for v-6 performance out of a 4th gen

I think the 4Th Gen 3.8's can be made pretty quick but definetly agree that the V8's have more potential.

John

I think the 4Th Gen 3.8's can be made pretty quick but definetly agree that the V8's have more potential.

John

Well put John, i'll add on to it. Long term super high horse-power you'll be looking at the V8. dollar for dollar in performance upgrades the v8 will put out much more HP.

Not to knock v8's but you can make a v6 faster then a stock ls1 wit ha few bucks.

Its really what you want. 6er's ARE fast cars. 8's are just... v8's.

Also what Hypsi said, If you really really like 6er's get a GN those are like really fast 6er's and definately a good way to start off.

I like my 6er cause it gives me an idea of what a camaro is like. Next car is definately a real z28 or Ss hopefully.

i would have to agree but you can alsways get a v6 and spray the damn thing and be just as fast, dont even bother looking for a tta, how many were made like 2000 if that, wont find one ive seen 2 in my whole life.

There was a Turbo Trans Am in my local trading paper last week. It was only like 4 or 5 thousand too.